Ciao Everyone,

Well a lots been happening since I last updated you. In the past month I played 2 events, had a weeks vacation in Tuscany, Italy and spent the past week home in Florida.

Firstly, The Evian Masters....well it was an unusual week weather wise at least. Normally when we are in Evian the weather is warm, sunny and beautiful!  This year it was rainy, cold and a little gloomy compared to years past.  I think my golf game resembled the weather unfortunately.  I played the first day in the rain for the most part.  After getting off to a reasonable start on the first day considering the weather, I never got much going over the next 2 rounds.  I think the last round was a result of me losing my patience a little.  I just didn't do much well that week.  It's kind of been my M.O. at Evian...I either play well or I don't.

That week, the LPGA announced that Evian will become a major in 2013.  I have to say that being a part of the player board during the decision process, a lot went into it.  My first reaction to Evian being a major was no.  I think that was mainly based on what we say and think is "traditional".  If you look back on the history of the LPGA, we have played any number of majors from 2 to 4 in any given year.  People are worried about the record books.  Many sports have changed over time which has influenced the record books.  Take basketball when the added the 3 point line or when they had it moved further from the basket.  Those changes alter the record books to some degree but no one seems to talk about it now.  Like me, a lot of people's minds to need to be open to change.  My mind was changed when Danone's CEO Franck Riboud met all of the requirements we asked of him to consider Evian as a major. On top of that Evian has displayed a major commitment with the tournament growing from its first year in 1994 to become the highest purse tournament in women's golf along with the US Open.  We don't have many tournament sponsors with that sort of vision and commitment.  I think this will be a great fit for us.

The next week we headed to the famous (or infamous) links course of Carnoustie. When people hear Carnoustie, I think they are reminded of the last couple of men's Open Championships and especially the finishing holes.  I have to say I was nervous heading in there.  I loved Carnoustie!  It's everything people have talked about.  We got really lucky with some of the best weather for 7 consecutive days I've ever seen in Scotland!  If we had of gotten just a mild bit of bad weather with the usual prevailing winds, the course would have been brutal!  As it turned out the scores were low as they would have been if the men played there under those conditions.  Wind is generally the only defense to links courses.

As for how I played that week, there were some moments of really good golf and some moments that were really quite average. In the end I had to make 2 back nine comebacks on the weekend just to shoot even par. A little disappointing for sure but my vote on Carnoustie was that I loved it!

On Monday after the British, I headed to Tuscany for what's become an annual holiday to Italy.  It was my first time to Tuscany and I absolutely loved it!!  The food was unbelievable as usual.  I'm not sure if I've ever had a bad meal in Italy.  Besides eating and a little sightseeing I went wine tasting and really learned a lot about Tuscan wines.  The countryside there is absolutely beautiful even if the driving is somewhat challenging with the narrow windy roads.  It wasn't a long enough stay but long enough to know I will go back there again sometime.

This past week I spent at home in Florida. It was a quick week home and as sad as I was to leave today, I am kind of glad to get out of the heat!  It was a very typical Florida summer week that's for sure!

I'm looking forward to the next couple weeks. I love playing out in Portland. It's one of my favorite tour stops. Next week we are playing the CN Canadian Open in Montreal. I like this tournament as well.  We are in a different part of Canada every year.  I had a pretty good week of practice so hopefully with a few more days of practice before we start on Friday, I will be ready for a great couple weeks!

Let's see how it goes...lots of red numbers in the cards I hope!!

Take care,
Karrie