Delaney Shah
After playing in my first tournament since surgery, the next three months were quite busy.
Q-School was nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. It started with the concern if Q-School would even take place since that region got hit with its first hurricane in almost 70 years and so many streets were flooded. Luckily, the courses we were playing at were not damaged too badly. I arrived in Palm Springs 5 days before the tournament began with my swing coach who would be caddying for me. The first day I went to practice I started getting really lightheaded, dizzy, and a racing heart rate within 20 minutes of being outside. Thinking it was caused by dehydration, heat, and exhaustion from traveling the day before (especially with a fear of flying), I decided it was best that I skipped practice and went home to rest. The next day, Thursday, I woke up with really bad allergies, thinking it was caused by the dust, dirt, and debris from the recent hurricane. Playing my first practice round, not being able to breath, having a sore throat, and not much energy I got through the round and went home to rest. Friday and Saturday’s practice rounds were the same, and not feeling any better I decided it was time to go to urgent care. There, I was told I had Covid, and since I was already three days into the symptoms I just had to ride it out. When the tournament started Monday, I was still not feeling 100%, but being able to take a cart in the 120 degree weather definitely helped. I started off my first round playing on the Mission Hills Palmer course. I ended up shooting a round of -1 71, which was 4 strokes better than what I shot on that course in 2022. The next day we played on a new course we had not played in the past called Indian Wells. It was a very scenic course that backed up to the mountains on many different holes. The first five holes were very narrow holes with lots of hazards and out of bounds lining the fairways. In my head if I could get through those first five holes at +1, I felt like I could have another good round. I started off the round really strong. I did get through those first 5 holes at even par, so I was feeling really good about my round. Holes 9 and 10 I missed a putt inside 5 feet for par, and on hole 15 I missed a 3 footer for bogey. With putting being the best part of my game, this really threw my confidence for a loop. Knowing I could still manage a good round, I stripped a tee shot down 16 just on the left side of the fairway. Walking up, my playing partners, caddy, and I could not find my golf ball. After spending the 3 minutes of allotted time looking for my ball, I had to go back to the tee and re-hit with a penalty stroke. I ended up missing another short putt and made a quadruple bogey on the hole. After bouncing back with pars on the last two holes I finished with a round of 80. I was absolutely devastated because I felt like I played much better than my score, I just had a very unlucky break and some unfortunate putting mishaps. Knowing that advancing to the second stage was most likely out of the picture, I headed into the final round with less nerves. I ended up being on my own because my caddy had gotten a stomach bug, so that left all the responsibility to me. I ended up playing well and shooting an even par round of 72 on the Mission Hills Dinah Shore course, which was 3 strokes better than last year. Having played spectacular golf for 52/54 holes and not making the cut to second stage was devastating. I had a lot of time to reflect and although to come that close stung, I had to remind myself that I was lucky to even be able to compete this year. I did not know if I was going to be able to play at all after surgery, and to be able to compete at that level only 3 months after being cleared to swing was impressive.
After Q-School I took a much needed break and was able to go on a family vacation to Budapest, Hungary for a week. I got to play golf there, and see all the sights in the city as well as the countryside.
I ended the season at the Maryland Open at the end of October. This year it was held at Worthington Manor GC, the course that I won the Maryland Amateur at. The first round I shot 75, but was frustrated because I hit all 18 greens in regulation but made 5 bogeys inside 40 yards. To hit all 18 greens means my ball striking was as good as it could get, but I lost some shots in my short game. The second round I still hit the ball great, hitting 16 greens in regulation and shooting 73. I was able to finish second overall which I was very pleased with. Having this finish and playing really well gave me new confidence and is making me even more excited about competing in the 2024 season.
I am planning on playing a full season on WAPT which will start in April. Until then I will be at home rehabbing and recovering, and then will be moving to Florida middle of January through middle of March to get ready for the season. I am super excited as this will be my first full health season since 7th grade!
As always, thank you so much for your continued support in my endeavor. I will update my schedule when it is released so stay tuned!