Van Cleave Golf

Q-School Set To Begin

2009-10-26T17:44:00.005-07:00

It's that time of year again! First stage begins tomorrow at Lantana Golf Club in Dallas, Texas.

Click here to follow the scores from First Stage

Thanks for checking in, I will be in touch soon
Matt

Pictures from Golf Chronicles by Allan Henry

2009-10-09T21:07:00.000-07:00

Gateway Players: Matt VanCleave - Images by Allan Henry

Iowa in October

2009-10-02T16:01:00.003-07:00

Smart people don't go to Iowa in October to play golf. The Gateway Tour has made a habit of playing the biggest tournament of the year in the worst weather we see all year. My game and the Iowa weather were both miserable. The course was tough as usual with the greens beyond difficult and the weather didn't make any part of playing easier. I shot a first round 78 in windy conditions that turned out to be the best I would play in all week. The second round started after a morning rain delay and I was only able to play seven and a half holes before being pulled off the course for the day. The restart at 7:45 Friday morning was in just as pitiful weather with 46 degree temps combined with rain and wind. My second round score of 75 was a pretty solid round that could have been really good if I would have putted well at all. I am disappointed that I wasn't able to carry over the good play of the last month or two into my favorite tournament. I really wanted to highlight my year with a great week in Iowa but that wasn't the result and now I have to regroup and get ready for the Adams Tour Championship in Gulfport, Mississippi. I am confident I can regain my form and turn it around before qschool in just under a month. Thanks for checking in.
Matt

Tie for 28th in Lubbock

2009-09-22T21:39:00.003-07:00

The tournament in Lubbock was a mix of rounds that seemed easy and rounds that felt like work. The first and third rounds were fun and everything clicked with a 69 and 66. The second and fourth rounds were definitely work and a grind with scores of 73 and 72. After making the cut exactly on the number at 2 under and in a tie for 45th I went out on the weekend with no place to go but up. The third round 6 under 66 included a closing nine of 31 to move up to a tie for 18th. The final round just never got moving in the right direction. I got off to a slow start and despite an eagle on the par 5 16th I couldn't gain much momentum. I finished the tournament at 8 under par in a tie for 28th and took home a check for $1,110, pushing this years earnings over $30,000. I felt the most important part of the week in Lubbock was getting to play all 4 rounds and have the chance to asses my game going into the Gateway Tour Championship in Iowa. I like where my game is right now and look forward to the opportunity of playing in Iowa next week. I am excited for my trip home on Thursday and can't wait to play Mozingo on Friday in the Chip Strong Memorial. I will keep you posted as things get under way in Des Moines, thanks for checking in.
Matt

Gateway Summer Ends with Tie for 8th

2009-09-11T14:18:00.013-07:00

The Gateway Tour summer series was definitely a success. I was 6 for 6 in made cuts and earned $17,500 after a 68.17 scoring average. This week was up and down and a mix of poor stretches and a great finish in the 2nd round. After opening with a 4 under par 68 I struggled through the first 13 holes of the 2nd round and was back to 1 under for the tournament. With 5 holes to play I closed with 2 eagles and a birdie to shoot a 2 under 70 and make the cut. Heading into the final round I was at 6 under and in a tie for 11th. In the final round I hit the ball great and continued to putt very well. I didn't get everything out of the round but was pleased with a 4 under 68 and a tie for 8th worth $2,100. I am really pleased that I made all 6 cuts and really played solid golf in every tournament. It's always great to be playing your best golf heading into the fall finish. I am off to Lubbock next week for another Adams Tour event. I will keep you posted after the tournament.
Click here to check out pictures taken by Allan Henry / Golf Chronicles at recent Gateway Tour events.
Thanks for stopping by the site.
Matt

Runner Up Finish at Southern Dunes

2009-09-04T19:11:00.007-07:00

There aren't too many weeks when shooting 19 under par isn't going to walk away with the trophy. Unfortunately, this was one of those weeks when it wasn't the winning score and it wasn't even close. Chris Kamin shot an incredible 27 under, 62-63-64. I played great all week and was able to hold on for a 1 shot cushion over 3rd place. I started the week with a solid 67 and then followed it up with a bogey free 64 in round 2. The final round was another solid round, 66, where I did everything I could to put pressure on the leader but it just wasn't good enough. I am excited that I was able to hold on for solo 2nd and take home a check for $6,500. After struggling with the putter the last few weeks I made a ton of putts at Southern Dunes. I like where my swing is right now and look forward to playing on the Gateway Tour again next week. I've had a great run of events this summer on the Gateway Tour and hope to finish strong in my last event in Arizona next week. Stay tuned for results from Tonto Verde Golf Club.
Tournament story on the Gateway Tour Website
Thanks for stopping by the site.
Matt

T18 and Missed Cut in Texas

2009-08-30T18:43:00.006-07:00

The two week trip to Texas on the Adams Tour didn't get off to the start I was looking for. I struggled on the bermuda greens at Beaumont Country Club and just couldn't find my rhythm with the putter. I hit the ball as well as I have all year but couldn't convert it into a successful week after rounds of 70 and 74. I want to thank the Iceton family in Beaumont for hosting me and Todd Rossetti for the week, by far the best host family of the year. After a couple days of short game work in Beaumont I felt good about my game going into Horseshoe Bay. I played very solid all week in Horseshoe Bay on the extremely difficult Ram Rock Course. The cut fell at 5 over par, the highest cut in my professional career. The first three rounds were all very solid and I entered the final round 4 shots back at even par, 70-71-72. In the final round I never could get a birdie putt to drop and ended with a 4 over 75. I finished in a tie for 18th earning $1,635. I look forward to the next few weeks on the Gateway Tour in Arizona where I have had some decent success this summer. Hopefully I have worked out the kinks with the putter and will find some confidence on the familiar Arizona greens. Thanks for checking in and I will post back soon.
Matt

T15 in Grayhawk Gateway Event

2009-08-07T14:28:00.005-07:00

It was another solid week on the Gateway Tour, 70-70-72: T15 $1,250. So far this year on the Gateway Tour I am 4 for 4 on made cuts and have cashed $8,900. All three rounds at Grayhawk felt about the same. I struggled to play consistent golf all week. I made plenty of birdies but had too many poor holes to go low in any round. I felt better about my swing this week but never figured out the greens hitting several great putts that just wouldn't find the bottom of the cup. I have a week off this coming week so I am looking forward to continuing to work on my swing and gain confidence with the short game. I have two events in Texas on the Adams Tour to close out the month of August. I am pleased that my game is continuing to improve and the results are starting to show up as we get closer to the all important fall season. I will keep you posted as the tournaments in Texas get started. Thanks again for stopping by the site.
Matt

2nd Round 63 Leads to Tie for 3rd

2009-07-31T13:23:00.004-07:00

This week on the Gateway Tour was somewhat of a home game for me. I worked this past off season at Troon North Golf Club so I was definitely comfortable with the course. I got off to a solid start in the 1st round with a 4 under 68. The 2nd round was the best round of the year so far with a 9 under 63. I wasn't overly comfortable with my swing but I kept it in play all day and made a ton of putts. For the first time in over a year I went into the final round with the lead. I played really well in the final round but just couldn't make enough birdies to keep up with the eventual winner. I was really pleased with the way I played down the stretch, I hit the ball great and didn't shy away from taking a run at putts. The tie for 3rd was good enough for a $3,900.00 payday. Hopefully we can get back into this position soon and walk away with the trophy. I am back on the Gateway Tour next week at Greyhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale. Thanks for stopping by the site and click on the Gateway Tour Link on the right to follow next weeks action
Matt

T13 in Gunter Adams Tour Event

2009-07-03T12:12:00.005-07:00

It was a crazy week on the Adams Tour in Gunter, Texas. I had some ups and downs and a stretch of golf I've never experienced before. I shot 8 under for the tournament to finish in a tie for 13th earning $1,930. I played really solid golf the 1st round shooting a 3 under 69. I struggled the 2nd round and fought out a 1 over 73. The 3rd round was a ton of fun. I had a 6 hole stretch that included 3 eagles, all on par 5's, to shoot 7 under 65. I've never had a round with multiple eagles, let alone 3 of them. The final round felt like I had used all my good shots in the 3rd round. I never got comfortable and struggled with a 1 over 73. I definitely have to say the week was a success. I feel like I have made some positive strides the last few weeks. I have a nice break for the next several weeks to get recharged and continue to work on my game. I hope everyone has a great 4th of July and I look forward to seeing everybody back in Maryville. Thanks again for checking in.
Matt

T6 in Gateway at Anthem

2009-06-26T16:55:00.002-07:00

I finally had a week that was solid from start to finish. I've been close this year and I knew a good week was coming soon. I started the week with a 5 under 67 that was bogey free and included an eagle and 3 birdies all on the par 5's. The 2nd round was my best of the week with a 6 under 66 that included 8 birdies and 2 bogeys. The final round was solid, 2 under 70, but I was a few missed putts from getting into contention late in the round. I am very happy with shooting 13 under for 3 rounds and finishing in the top ten, earning $2,400. For the first time all year I felt like every part of my game was sharp. I am looking forward to playing on the Adams Tour next week in Gunter, Texas. To follow the scores from Texas click on the Adams Tour logo on the right. Thanks for checking in
Matt

Up and Down Play in Louisiana

2009-06-22T09:06:00.002-07:00

It was an interesting two weeks on the Adams Tour in Louisiana. I got off to a great start in Baton Rouge with rounds of 69 - 66. Unfortunately I lost momentum and struggled on the weekend with two rounds of even par 72. I finished in a tie for 38th. Next we were off to Alexandria where I got off to a terrible start with a 4 over par 76. The second round was a lot of fun with a 5 under 67 that included 9 birdies. Unfortunately I missed the cut by a shot and wasn't able to continue moving up the leaderboard. I left Louisiana with a bit of confidence and looking forward to teeing it up this week on the Gateway Tour in Phoenix. The tournament starts on Wednesday at Anthem Golf and Country Club. To follow the action click on the Gateway Tour logo on the right side of the page. Thanks for checking in
Matt

Made Cut in 1st Gateway Desert Event

2009-06-05T12:21:00.003-07:00

It was back to business in the desert for the first time in 2009. The tournament at Talking Stick got off a good start with a 4 under par 66. For the first time all year I putted great. The second round was solid, even par 70, but I couldn't get the same momentum I had during the first round. After making the cut on the number the final round got off to a slow start and ended poorly with a 3 over 73. I finished in 21st place earning $1,350. I was pleased with my position after the first round but dissappointed to go backwards the last two rounds. I played solid golf for the most part but wasn't able to get the putter going the last two rounds. Hopefully I can build on this week and take some momentum with me to the Adams Tour. I leave Sunday to travel to Dallas and then drive to Baton Rouge on Monday. I am looking forward to getting back out to the Adams Tour and playing a few events in Louisiana. To follow the action from Louisiana click on the Adams Tour Logo on the right side. Thanks for stopping by the site.
Matt

T26 in Adams Event at Sugar Tree

2009-05-25T13:45:00.002-07:00

It was an up and down week at Sugar Tree Country Club. I opened the week with a 5 over 75 and then backed it up with a 5 under 65 to make the cut. I never got anything going on the weekend with a 70 and 72 to finish at 2 over par and in a tie for 26th. The $1,165.00 paycheck wasn't a great finish but definitely a success after the slow start to the tournament. I am still confident with my ball striking and I was starting to gain a little momentum with the putter. I am looking forward to the next two weeks off and a chance to recharge and work on my game. I need to put in some quality time on my short game in order to continue to gain on the positive strides I've been making this year. I need to continue to improve on my mental game this year. I know this is the difference between moving on and staying on the mini tours. I am working on a few possible mental game coaches that would make a big difference, I will keep you posted if anything works out. Thanks again for checking in on the website, I will be in touch soon.
Matt

Missing By 1

2009-05-14T15:58:00.002-07:00

I hate those words. On Tuesday I played in the Byron Nelson Pre-Qualifier. I had an up and down round going but was doing a great job of grinding out a decent score. Unfortunately that was all wasted after a double bogey on the final hole to miss getting into the Monday Qualifier by a shot, 73:+1. Next the Adams Tour event in Thackerville, OK. The wind was howling during the first round and I put together a very solid one over 73. Today I went out in pretty calm conditions and hit the ball really well. Unfortunately I closed with two bogeys on the last nine holes to miss the cut by a shot, 73/73: +2. The good news is that I am hitting the ball really well. My chipping has really improved and I feel good standing over the putter. I'm just not getting the ball in the hole as quickly as I should be. All I can do is keep plugging away and hope the ball falls in love with the hole again, and quickly. Next up is US Open local qualifying on Tuesday and another Adams Tour event in Fort Worth Wednesday through Saturday. Thanks for stopping by the site.
Matt

Tie for 4th in Waco

2009-05-03T22:38:00.007-07:00

What a turnaround from a week ago. I was so disappointed and discouraged after Victoria that I couldn't even find the words to post anything. I went to Waco with very few expectations and being a bit embarassed. The great thing was that I still believed in what I was doing and knew I was on the right track. Waco was a great week from the start. I shot a 1 over 73 in tough windy conditions on a course I had little experience playing. The next two rounds were solid 2 under 70's to get me into 6th place going into the final round. It was great to be playing close to the last pairing with my name posted on the leaderboards throughout the course. I played a solid final round, 3 under 69, that included 3 birdies in the last 7 holes to finish in a tie for 4th. The finish was worth $4,650 and a big confidence boost moving forward. I finally am starting to feel more comfortable playing in the tough windy conditions that I knew so well growing up. I know this is the right place for me to get ready for q-school and prepare my game for the next level. I am looking forward to a week off and some time at home before hitting the road again on the Adams Tour. I will be in touch again soon, thanks for stopping by the site.
Matt

Missed Cut in 2nd Louisiana Event

2009-04-03T16:07:00.003-07:00

It was another week interupted by weather on the Adams Tour. The second day of the tournament was postponed a day due to another rain storm leaving the golf course unplayable. I struggled all week on the greens at Mallard Cove, 73 / 72 : +1. I feel good about the way I hit the ball these last two weeks in Louisiana. The work I have put in with Doug Hammer is really going to pay off this year. I look forward to a few weeks back at home and some good practice sessions. I have a few areas of the game that need a little work but I am confident I will get them ready to go before I head back out on the Adams Tour in a few weeks.
Thanks for stopping by the site, I will be in touch soon
Matt

Rain Shortens Houma Event to 36 Holes

2009-03-28T16:12:00.006-07:00

T21 --- 68 / 74 : -2 --- $1,390.00
The season got off to a great start after an opening round 4 under 68. The conditions were difficult with strong and gusty winds. I was very pleased to grind out a great round early in the year. The second round was a tough break having to play in the afternoon. The morning conditions were very mild while the afternoon was strong winds and periods of hard rain. I hit the ball better in the second round but wasn't able to get anything going with a 2 over 74. Thursday night and into Friday morning produced some of the hardest rains I have ever experienced. Areas around the golf course received up to 10 inches of rain in just 3 hours. Unfortunately that lead to the golf course being under water forcing the tournament officials to shorten the event to 36 holes. I am dissapointed I didn't get a chance to move up the leaderborad on the weekend but I am pleased with the way I played in the first event of the year. I got the first cut out of the way so now I can go out and continue to build on the momentum gained in Houma. I am heading to Lake Charles, Louisiana in the morning and will play a practice round on Monday and then the Pro Am on Tuesday. The tournament begins on Wednesday so stay tuned to the Adams Tour Website for scoring updates:

Adams Golf Tournament Leaderboard Link

Thanks again for your support this year and for stopping by the site.
Matt

Season Set To Begin Next Week

2009-03-16T20:46:00.008-07:00

The 2009 season has finally arrived! It has been a long and productive off season. I have been able to do some really good work on my swing with Doug Hammer, Director of Instruction at Troon North Golf Club in Scottsdale. My short game has also really benefited from the time off. I have been playing some great rounds lately so I am eager to test it out in competition.
I will be driving from Arizona to Louisiana this weekend. A big bonus on the Adams Tour is local housing at several tournaments. Along with a few other players I will be staying with a family that lives near the tournament site in Houma. Local housing is a great way to save some money and avoid a few run down motels along the way. I will keep you updated after the practice rounds, as long as I can find an internet connection. Thanks again for stopping by the site.
Matt

Off Season Update

2009-02-21T22:30:00.007-07:00

Sorry it has been so long since my last post. It has been a long and positive off season so far. I have had a lot of time to recover from the near miss at Q-School and I am eager to get the 2009 season under way. At this point I am still working on finalizing the financial details for the upcoming season. We are still working to find a few new investors at this point. I am hopeful we will be able to find the necessary funding for 2009. I am planning to tee it up on the Adams Golf Pro Tour Series this year.
Adams Golf Tour Link
The Adams Tour plays throughout the south part of the country in Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Mississippi. I am looking forward to the opportunity to travel and play different styles of golf each week. The Adams Tour is a great place to continue to improve my game and prepare for golf at the next level. I can't thank you all enough for the support over these last three years and I am really looking forward to the opportunities that lie ahead in 2009. Please feel free to contact me anytime: vancleavegolf@hotmail.com
Thanks again for stopping by the site.
Matt

Missed By 1 at Q-School

2008-11-01T15:49:00.007-07:00

I am struggling to come up with the words to explain the week. I shot rounds of: 69/68/73/72: -6, to miss out on moving on to second stage by 1 shot. 1 shot, I can't tell you how hard it is to sit here knowing that a single shot better was all it took to qualify. I played well this week, I did everything I could and it just wasn't good enough. I will post more when I have had a better chance to digest everything..... Well, I've had a few days and I still can't believe as well as I played that I missed it by a shot. I feel really good about the preparation and effort that I put into this year leading up to q-school. I really struggled all summer and didn't have a lot of positives to build on but I was still able to produce my best golf of the year at the right time. Unfortunately in the professional golf world you only get one shot a year, I've got just under 365 days to get ready for next year. I truly believe I am still supposed to play golf for a living and I know that I can make it to the PGA Tour. I am going to do everything I can this off season to better prepare myself for the 2009 season. I really want that first professional win next year and a taste of golf at the next level on the Nationwide or PGA Tour. I really appreciate all the support these last 3 years, it may not always look like a success but I know I am getting better and getting closer to reaching my goals. We will be in touch with everybody soon. Thanks again for all the support during an up and down year.
Matt
Matt

PGA Tour Q-School 2008

2008-10-22T22:53:00.013-07:00

It's that time of year again! Another opportunity to improve your status and move on to the next level. I can't explain the difference between a regular tournament and q-school. Maybe it's the pressure and the feeling of tension in every player for 72 holes. Q-School is definitely a unique experience that I will never forget. This year already feels different than the last few years. I have a different sense of calm and confidence than in years past. While q-school can feel like punishment the only way to look at the next 72 holes is that it is a great opportunity to move one step closer to reaching my goals. I've had a great time this week being back at Mozingo and drawing on so many positive memories. The weather hasn't been the best but I definitely will be ready for any kind of weather in Dallas. I truly believe this is our year at q-school!
To follow all the action from McKinney click on the link below:

PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament Link

Thanks for stopping by the web page, I will be in touch soon
Matt

Strong Final 9 Holes In Louisiana T15

2008-10-08T12:19:00.003-07:00

A final nine holes of 4 under 32 was a great way to finish the tournament in Delhi, Louisiana, 72/73/73/70: T15. I struggled to make any putts the entire tournament until that last nine holes. I hit the ball great all week and just lacked a few putts dropping early in the tournament to get some positive momentum. The Adams Tour event was a great way to prep for Q-School. I got the chance to play four rounds and live out of a hotel again. I am looking forward to a couple weeks of hard work leading up to first stage. There are a few areas of my game that I need to work on but for the most part I am very pleased with everything. My putter has been holding me back in the last few tournaments but I trust that it will come around by the time I get to Dallas. I will be spending the week before first stage in Maryville getting my game ready. I think a little time at Mozingo and St. Joe Country Club will be a perfect way to get ready. Thanks for checking in and I will be in touch before Q-School begins.
Matt

T14 in Missouri Open

2008-09-27T19:23:00.004-07:00

It was another up and down week at the Missouri Open in Columbia, 75/70: +1. I felt great about my swing and chipping but my putter let me down as I never got comfortable on the speedy and sloping greens at Old Hawthorne. It was great to have another solid ball striking week but even better to have another great week chipping around the greens. My chipping and putting are the key to my success at q-school. I'm not worried about an off week with the putter, I know this part of my game will be there at q-school. It was great to get the chance to play back in the midwest but now I am off to Louisiana to tee it up on the Adams Tour. I will be playing in Delhi, LA the 2nd through the 5th. I look forward to another opportunity to play in a new situation on a different tour and course style. These opportunities to change and challenge my comfort levels will pay off in getting my game ready for q-school. To follow all the action from the Adams Tour click on the link below:

Adams Golf Louisiana Tournament Link

Thanks for checking in, I will be in touch soon
Matt

Finishing Strong In Final Gateway Event

2008-09-13T12:20:00.008-07:00

It was nice to finally have a solid tournment for 54 holes, 8 under par T25. The first round was an up and down round where I fought my way back to even par a few times. The second round was as good of a round as I have played this summer. I had seven birdies with two bogeys for a 5 under 67. The final round got off to a great start with three birdeis in the first five holes. I stumbled a little in the middle of the round but fought back on the last nine holes finishing the tournament with back to back birdies. It was great to finish strong and feel good about a tournament. I feel great about my game and the direction it is moving. At this point I definitely feel like my game will peak at Q-School.
I will be heading to Kentucky next weekend for the Ryder Cup, thanks to the Blackford family. After Kentucky I will be flying back to Missouri to spend a little time at home before driving to Columbia to play in the Missouri Open at the Old Hawthorne Club. I am excited to get back in the state and play a professional tournament. Hopefully I will see several of you while I am back at home. Thanks again for checking in, I will keep you posted after the Missouri Open. Click on the link below to follow all the action from Columbia Septmeber 26-27.

Missouri Open Link

Have a great one,
Matt

Made Cut, Poor Final Round

2008-09-05T14:25:00.002-07:00

It was nice to finally make a cut but it was frustrating to finish as poorly as I did, 67/72/77. The first round I played very solid and finally started to make some putts. The second and third round I hit the ball pretty well and putted well at times but just wasn't sharp enough to go low. I feel good about my game and direction it is moving. I am still struggling to match my score with what I feel my abilities are. I am excited about this weekend as I am heading to Dallas to work with my short game instructor Pat O'Brien. Pat was able to get my short game in great form last fall so I am hopeful he can get my chipping back on track leading into q-school. I am going to need a win or second place finish in next weeks final summer event to qualify for the tour championship in Iowa. As long as I have a chance to qualify I going to be optimistic. I am playing well enough to win, I just need to put together a complete tournament next week. Thanks for checking in, I will be in touch soon.
Matt

Missed Cut By 2 Shots

2008-08-28T13:44:00.007-07:00

I am at a loss for words about this weeks tournament, 73/68 : -3. I really don't know what to say other than I know I am close to playing great golf. I am working as hard as I can and doing everything I can to get better. I just can't get things to fall into place and get my score to reflect the quality of golf I am playing. I have never played this well and felt this good about my game and still struggled to get results. I am frustrated with the end result right now but am excited about all the positives I see in every area of my game. I will continue to work hard and do the things I know it takes to get better. Hopefully the results will start to match the effort. Thanks for the patience, I know mine is being tested like never before.
Matt

"The road to success leads through the valley of humility, and the path is up the ladder of patience and across the wide barren plains of perseverance. As yet, no short cut has been discovered."
--Joseph. J. Lamb
.

Missed Cut By 1, Again

2008-08-21T16:46:00.002-07:00

Sometimes you get on the wrong side of momentum and no matter what you do you can't change it. I've been on that wrong side since the end of May. It was another week with a solid start after a 3 under 69. I left a few shots out there but for the most part was very pleased with my round. The second round got off to a bad start and I never was able to fully recover with a 1 over 72. Again I missed the cut by 1 shot, which seems to be the story of the summer series to this point. I saw some positive things in my game that were encouraging. I am excited about the direction my swing is heading and a few of the shots I hit this week. My short game is continuing to get better and I am finally excited about it again. My ability to sign a scorecard that says a low number or consectutive solid rounds remains non existent. I've been beat up pretty good this summer by the desert and all I can hope for is a great finish to the year at q-school. Somehow I still feel confident that my game is improving. Lets just hope all these bumps in the road lead to a cool story at the end of the year.
Matt

10th Place in Des Moines

2008-08-10T21:09:00.008-07:00

I had a great trip up to Des Moines this weekend. After a rough start, 4 over through the first 10 holes, I played bogey free golf for the final 44 holes. I believe this is the first time I have ever put together two or more rounds of consecutive bogey free golf. My golf swing isn't exactly where I want it but I now know what direction I am trying to go with it. I have a few minor mechanical changes to make in order to get my swing back to where I want it. My short game was very solid and I was a few burned edges with putts from really having a great week. Unfortunately the Herman Sani is a small purse, with a small entry fee, so i don't think my paycheck will be much more than a few hundred dollars. This week was more about finding my game and getting excited about the direction things are going. I definitely accomplished both of those goals with Kevin Beard's help. For final Herman Sani results click the following link:

Herman Sani Results Link

Thanks for checking in, I will post again after the next Gateway Tour event August 20-22.
Matt

No Monday Success

2008-08-05T15:42:00.002-07:00

A 2 over par 73 wasn't the round I was looking for at the Nationwide Qualifier in Wichita. I never got comfortable with my swing and in a one round qualifier you have to come out firing. I will now be playing in the Herman Sani Golf Tournament in Des Moines this Friday through Sunday. I am looking forward to spending some time with Kevin Beard and getting the opportunity to play another tournament in the midwest. I will keep you posted after the completion of the tournament. Thanks for checking in
Matt

T33 in Summer Event #7

2008-08-01T13:30:00.001-07:00

It was another week of ups and downs on the golf course. A T33 after rounds of 69/69/74, worth $1,275.00. I took some major steps forward with my game but still haven't been able to put it all together. I have really taken some major strides towards getting my game back and progressing to the next level. Mentally I feel as good as I have in a long time. I still have a few issues to work out but overall things are definitely looking up. I am excited about the process of fighting to get my game back. I will be playing in the Nationwide Monday qualifier in Wichita this coming Monday. I am looking forward to the chance to play back in the midwest and work on my game with Kevin Beard. I will keep you posted after the qualifier. Thanks for stopping by the site
Matt

Another Missed Cut By 1 Shot

2008-07-18T14:12:00.002-07:00

It was an interesting week on the golf course. I am still fighting the rib injury but it is slowly getting better. I opened the tournament with a 2 over 74. The second round was much better with a 5 under 67. I was very pleased with my play in the second round. I was a few burned edges with putts on the back nine from really having a great day. Unfortunately my first round put me too far back and I still missed the cut at 3 under for the tournament. I never enjoy missing cuts but it is even worse when you miss by a single shot. I am looking forward to a week and a half break before my next event. I need the time to rest my injury and get back to playing pain free golf. I will still be able to work on my short game with putting and short chip shots. I probably won't hit a full shot for at least a week. I am looking forward to the second half of the summer. I have a lot of room for improvement over the next few months. Thanks for checking in
Matt

T33 in 5th Desert Summer Event

2008-07-15T21:15:00.004-07:00

It was a good but tough week on the golf course. I shot rounds of 71, 70, 75 to finish in a tie for 33rd. In my preparation for the tournament after a week off I managed to injure my left shoulder. As I have been told by my chiropractor, Kevan Evans, I had two ribs that were out of place. After a couple of sessions with Kevan the ribs feel better and I plan on playing this week. I am not completely pain free but I feel better than I did in the final round last week. Hopefully my body will hold up and I will have a chance to continue improving and possibly qualify for next weeks mid summer tour championship in Dallas. I need to be in 36th on the money list to qualify, I am currently in 51st about $3000 back. I will keep everybody updated after the completion of the tournament. I know its been a tough summer so far but I truly am excited about playing golf again. I have had my ups and downs this year but I am on my way back up. Thanks for stopping by the site
Matt

The Struggle Continues

2008-06-26T14:47:00.002-07:00

Another week of poor golf and another missed cut. My ball striking was good at times and also pretty bad at times. I am making too many big mistakes to play good golf right now. I'm not sure what the answer to this problem is. Things just aren't clicking on the golf course. This is as frustrated as I have ever been with golf. Hopefully a week off and some time away from the course will help get me back on track. Thanks for stopping by the site.
Matt

Missed Cut

2008-06-19T13:31:00.003-07:00

Another tough week on the golf course. I never felt comfortable with my swing and the few times I did hit good shots I couldn't convert the putts. I managed to grind out a 71 in the first round but wasn't as fortunate in the second round with a 76. It is very frustrating to miss cuts but even more frustrating that I am a long way from being in contention. Hopefully I will be able to find a swing and put together a solid tournament next week. Thanks for checking in.
Matt

44th in Second Desert Summer Event

2008-06-13T14:28:00.002-07:00

The week started on a strong note with a bogey free 3 under 67. The second round was a bit of a struggle but I managed to shoot an ever par round of 71 and make the cut on the number. The final round, a 3 over 73, was a big struggle for most of the round but ended strong. I feel very good about the direction my game is heading. I am disappointed to finish 44th and only cash $800, but it was a step in the right direction. As I continue to learn and grow more comfortable with my swing I look forward to much stronger finishes. I am looking forward to the next few days and the chance to continue working on my swing and short game. I am looking forward to playing the next few tournaments as the courses are some of my favorites in the valley. I will update the website after the completion of next weeks event.
Happy Father's Day
Matt

Missed Cut in Desert Event #1

2008-06-05T23:08:00.003-07:00

Another tough week on the Gateway Tour. I struggled with rounds of 76 and 73 to miss the cut by 3 shots. I am trying to work through a bit of a funk with my game right now. I really need to find my passion for the game again. It is hard to really get everything out of your game when you feel like something is missing. My physical abilities are as good as they have ever been. I just need to put the mental and spiritual side of the game back in order. I can promise you that I will do everything I can to sort out this low point. Professional golf is a tough mental challenge that only gives you little glimpses of success every now and then. If you don't enjoy the little victories in each day and round the entire load of negatives eventually falls on you. It may take baby steps to get back but my goal needs to remain to improve and get a little better each day. My goal is still to be a great player on the PGA Tour. This time I have on the Gateway Tour is my opportunity to learn and prove to myself I have what it takes to be great. Thanks again for the support and patience.
Matt

Missed Cut By 1 In Dallas

2008-05-30T08:34:00.002-07:00

It was an interesting week for the first event on the Dallas/Fort Worth Gateway Summer Series. Coming off the dissapointing finish in Florida I was looking forward to getting back on the course. Unfortunately do to a massive thunderstorm on Tuesday I wasn't able to play a practice round. I wasn't as comfortable on the course during the first round as I would have liked to be. I continued to hit the ball great for both rounds but lacked comfort with the course and a lot of good putts that wouldn't drop. Hopefully I can continue to carry my good ball striking over to the first Desert Summer Event next week at McCormick Ranch Golf Club. Thanks for checking in, I will be in touch soon
Matt

Heartbreak in Florida

2008-05-27T09:25:00.003-07:00

Going into the week I probably would have accepted a top ten finish at the Tour Championship. Unfortunately I had a great chance to win and collapsed on the back nine. I was leading the tournament with 10 holes to play and playing some of the best golf of my life. The course was extremely difficult with hazards left and right on almost every shot. I navigated my way through the hazards without a mistake for the first 63 holes. The last 9 holes however weren't so kind. I pulled a hybrid into a pond going for the par 5 10th hole with my second shot that lead to a double bogey. I then blocked two consecutive tee shots out of bounds on the par 5 13th hole that lead to a devastating 9. I really don't know what to say about the collapse other than it happens. I played great to give myself a chance for the win on the back nine and didn't come through. Hopefully I can store this one away in the learning experience category and take away how well I played the first 3 and a half rounds. The more times I can knock on the door of a victory the closer it gets to becoming a reality. I had a great opportunity to learn from playing in the final pairing the last 2 rounds and sleeping on the 36 hole lead. It was fun to be in contention again, even if it didn't go our way this time.
I am now in Dallas getting ready to play in the first Dallas/Fort Worth Gateway Tour event that begins tomorrow. I will update the site after I get back to Arizona Friday night. Thanks again for checking in and I will be in touch soon
Matt

Spring Season Ends With Made Cut

2008-05-10T22:50:00.003-07:00

It was a rather forgettable week at the Golf Club of Estrella. I never got comfortable on the greens and the frustration kept building the entire tournament. I hit a lot of good putts that had a chance and then would dart across the hole at the last second. My swing continued to feel comfortable and I was able to hit a few shots that I didn't have earlier this year. My short game was the exciting part of the week. I didn't miss an up and down chipping the entire tournament. I haven't accomplished that in several years, it feels great to have that part of the game back.

I am looking forward to a relaxing week off before I jet off for a two week tournament trip. I will first be flying to West Palm Beach, Florida for US Open Qualifying and the Gateway Tour Spring Series Championship. I will then fly from Florida to Dallas to play in the first Gateway Dallas/Fort Worth Summer Series event. I am excited to get the opportunity to take my game on the road and test myself out of the desert. I am continuing to build on my game and get better each passing week. I am looking forward to the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead in the next weeks and months. Thanks for checking in on the website. I hope everyone is having a great spring. I will be in touch soon with updates from Florida.
Matt

Final Round 65

2008-05-02T14:27:00.004-07:00

This week was a roller coaster. I played solid for the first 32 holes of the tournament and then finished the second round with a bogey and double bogey on 15 and 17. I left the course thinking I had missed the cut because of my finish only to find out later I snuck in on the number. The final round was one of the best rounds I have played since my hot stretch last summer. A bogey free 7 under 65 was good enough to move from a tie for 48th to a tie for 17th and a much better check. I hit the ball well but the putter was the difference today. I had just 24 putts in the final round. It really feels good to finally finish off a good round and post my best score of 2008. Hopefully this round will be a springboard to great things the rest of the year. We will be back in action next week at the Golf Club of Estrella. I will keep you posted after the end of the tournament. Thanks for stopping by the site and have a great weekend.

Matt

First Top 10 of 2008

2008-04-25T13:29:00.004-07:00

I am continuing to build and improve on my game each week. I am pleased to get my first top 10 of the year and put together a little better paycheck. The tournament was a mix of hot stretches, cold stretches and solid pars. I got off to great starts all three days and then let the rounds get away from me in the middle. In both the 2nd and 3rd rounds I was able to make late birdies to salvage under par rounds. I am happy with the improvement in all areas of my game. My chipping and pitching still needs to improve but I have full confidence I will put in the time to get it back to where it needs to be. I am still improving each week and that is what excites me about this year. I will spend the next few days recharging and working on my short game. I will keep you posted after next weeks tournament at Trilogy Vistancia Golf Club. Thanks for checking in.
Matt

Up and Down Week for T32

2008-04-10T14:01:00.003-07:00

After the frustration of last week I was pleased to turn things around and make the cut this week. I played solid and steady golf for the first two rounds. The final round was a struggle of battling the wind and never finding my touch with the putter. I am pleased to see the hard work I put in after missing the cut pay off. I was able to make the necessary corrections in my game to get back to playing solid golf. This year has been a learning experience that should pay off with good success later in the year. I am looking forward to a week off and the chance to continue building on my game. I am getting closer to where I want to be, it is just a matter of time and trust.

Thanks for stopping by vancleavegolf.com

Matt

Missed Cut

2008-04-04T09:14:00.003-07:00

Unfortunately it was a bad week on the golf course. I never got anything going and was constantly fighting to make up for poor shots and bad holes. The first round I did a great job of fighting back to finish at even par and not let the round get away from me. The second round was the opposite. I got off to a bad start and never recovered on my way to an 8 over par 80. I will take the next few days to regroup and work out the kinks. I am extremely frustrated with my game right now. I need to find the confidence I had last summer. I will work as hard as I can to make sure I show up next week ready to win.
We start a day early next week with a Tuesday through Thursday event. I will update the site again next week after the tournament. Thanks for your patience and support.
Matt

Website Update

2008-03-30T21:11:00.005-07:00

I have had the opportunity to put a little work in on the website. I have added a few new features to the site:
1. Matt's 2008 Tournament Schedule - Check out this link to see my 2008 calendar. I will continue to update this calendar as my schedule fills up! ----->
2. Matt's Gateway Tour Page - This is a direct link to my Results, Stats, and Bio page on the Gateway Tour website. ----->
3. I have updated the comments section of the website. To leave a comment after a Post simply click on the "Comments" under the post near the time and date information. The instructions for how to leave your comments are then located in the upper right hand corner of the comments page.

I hope you enjoy the site and it helps keep you up to date with the latest news from Van Cleave Golf, LLC. Thanks again for the continued support. I hope everybody has a great week
Matt

Final Round 66 to Finish T19

2008-03-28T15:36:00.004-07:00

With rounds of 71/69/66 I was able to make a jump from making the cut on the number to a top 20 finish. I played solid golf the first two rounds but lacked momentum to really go low and keep pace with the low scores. The final round was a great mix of ball striking and a hot putter. I finally had several good looks at birdie and was able to capitalize with the putts. I am excited to finally get a low round under my belt in 2008, I knew I was close to putting it all together but just hadn't managed to do it. I am looking forward to the next few days to get some much needed chipping practice in. Right now that is the only part of my game that I feel is holding me back, the rest of it is right where it needs to be to keep improving. My goal each week is to steadily improve and get more and more comfortable with my game. We start back up again next week at the Wigwam Golf Club. I will be in touch again after the tournament ends. Thanks for stopping by the site.

Have a great week.

Matt

T32 in Spring Season Opener

2008-03-21T14:54:00.003-07:00

I played a mix of good, solid and poor golf this week. I played decent golf the first two rounds to sneak in and make the cut on the number. I am happy with my performance today to move up the leaderboard and cash a little bigger check. I was a few missed birdie putts away from a great round and really moving up the leaderboard. My full swing is in a good place and now I just need my short game to get back to being my strength. I am looking forward to playing again next week and continuing to build on my early momentum. Thanks for checking in on the website. We will be in action again next Wednesday through Friday at Hillcrest Golf Club. I will be in touch after the event.

Matt

Spring Season Set To Begin This Week

2008-03-16T17:36:00.003-07:00

The Gateway Tour's Desert Spring Series is set to begin this week at Power Ranch Golf Course. All of the spring events will be 3 day tournaments run Wednesday to Friday. I am looking forward to getting back into the routine of playing on a weekly basis. I have been encouraged by my play early this year. I have a great team in place this year with Kevin Beard and Rick Fehr. These two guys have really put in some quality time with me this off season to get my game to the next level. I am excited to see where my game takes me in 2008. For all tournament coverage log on to: http://www.thegatewaytour.com/

Thanks for stopping by and I will be in touch soon,

Matt

T16 Finish at Vista Verde

2008-02-28T14:18:00.000-07:00

A final round 72 was good enough to move up the leaderboard 8 spots into a tie for 16th. The course was playing difficult with firm greens and tricky pin placements. I was happy with my game this week but also found areas that need some work before the spring series gets going in March. I am looking forward to the opportunity to tee it up on a regular basis this spring. The spring series is 7 regular events with a tour championship at the end of the series in West Palm Beach, Florida. I will have a few weeks now to continue to polish my game and get into better tournament form.
Thanks for stopping by the site, I will be in touch in a few weeks.
Matt

T24 Heading Into Final Round

2008-02-27T20:14:00.000-07:00

For complete tournament results log onto: http://www.thegatewaytour.com/
I will post more tomorrow night after the final round. Thanks for checking in.

Matt

T16 Not Enough In Qualifier

2008-01-24T19:26:00.000-07:00

A 1 under par 70 wasn't good enough to advance through the pre qualifying stage of the FBR Open. Another good ball striking day with a cold putter left me 3 shots off the number. I am still planning my next few events. I will most likely be buying into another Gateway Winter Series event and possibly a trip to Florida or Texas for a few more tournaments. The Gateway Spring Series starts up March 19th. I will spend the next month and a half working on my game and gearing up for the 2008 season.
Thanks again for all the support, I look forward to a great 2008.
Matt

T34 In Season Opener

2008-01-23T16:32:00.000-07:00

It was great to finally get back into competitive golf after a few month break. After the opening nine holes the first round I felt like I was back in mid-season form. I hit the ball as well as I have in a long time this week. I really struggled on the greens which kept me from going low or getting near the leaders. For the first event of 2008 I am very pleased with my game. This week was the first time I have played a tournament and felt comfortable with my mechanics in a long time. Kevin Beard and I put in some good work last week in getting ready for the season. I feel great about my swing and now I need to continue to work on the mental side of the game. I will be teeing it up again tomorrow in the PGA Tour's FBR Open pre qualifier. If I can advance through the pre qualifier I would play again on Monday in the official qualifier to get into the event that begins next Thursday. I am looking forward to more opportunities to get on the course and test my game. I will post tomorrow night after the pre qualifier is complete.
Thanks for checking in,
Matt

2008 Season To Begin Next Week

2008-01-15T17:59:00.000-07:00

The 2008 Season will officially get started next week with the Gateway Tour event at Longbow Golf Club. I plan on playing in a few more winter series events on the Gateway Tour before buying into the Desert Spring Series. At this point I am going to play a majority of my golf on the Gateway Desert Series in 2008. Unlike the last few years I will do more traveling to play in events outside of Arizona. I feel like the opportunity to travel and play in different settings and conditions will better prepare me for Q-School next fall. I will keep you posted as the tournament gets started next week.
Thanks for stopping by,

Matt

Merry Christmas

2007-12-25T11:00:00.000-07:00

Merry Christmas from sunny Arizona. It definitely isn't a white Christmas out here in the desert. I can't wait to get home on the 28th to see snow, although I am sure I will be ready to get back to the 60 degree weather pretty quickly.
I just wanted to catch everybody up on life in Arizona. This has been a great year for Sarah and myself, we are getting ready to celebrate our first wedding anniversary at the end of the month. Sarah will be starting a new job in January as a guidance counselor at a K-8 school in Gilbert, Arizona. We just bought our first house together located 10 minutes from Sarah's school in Gilbert (just about 20 minutes south of our place in Mesa now). We are going to start moving tomorrow so things are getting a little crazy. It is amazing how blessed we have been in the last year and how God has been shaping our lives together.
I can't thank my investors enough for the opportunity you are giving me to play professional golf. We have definitely had a few ups and downs but I still feel like I am getting better every year and that much closer to the goal of the PGA Tour. I have been continuing to work on my swing with Kevin Beard. I have also started working with Rick Fehr, a former PGA Tour winner, on my mental game and course management. I really feel like with the help of these guys I can achieve my goals in golf. I am starting to figure out what my schedule will look like next year. I will post a schedule on the website in the next few weeks.
Again, thank you all so much for everything you have done for Sarah and myself. We are so lucky to have a group of supporters behind us that care as much as you do. I hope to see everybody during my trip home later this week.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from,
The Van Cleaves

2008 Plans ???

2007-11-23T18:51:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Sorry it has been so long since I last updated my site. I have been taking some time to regroup and try and figure out what the future holds for me. I caddied for a friend of mine, Jesse Mueller, in both 1st and 2nd stage. Unfortunately, he didn't make it through second stage like a lot of great players. Q-School is a cruel and sometimes unfair test of golf. But, if you want to make it to the PGA Tour it is almost the only way to get there. I will make my peace with Q-School before I go back next year. As far as my plans for next year I am still trying to figure out what I am going to do. I have several options that I am trying to sort through. As of right now I am leaning towards the Canadian Tour with several Nationwide Tour Monday qualifiers. The Canadian Tour Q-School doesn't start until the end of March so I may have to play in a handful of Gateway Tour events in February and early March. The Canadian Tour schedule would consist of 17 events if I am successful at getting a fully exempt card at the Q-School. At this point this is looking like my best option to further my game and put myself in the best possible position to advance through PGA Tour Q-School. I will try and keep you updated as things start to fall into place for my 2008 schedule and plans. Thanks again for the continued support.
Matt

Q-School Ends Poorly

2007-10-27T01:05:00.000-07:00

A final round 76 was a disappointing close to 1st stage. There isn't much I can say other than I didn't have it. My golf swing hasn't been there for the last month and the wheels finally came off. As good as I played earlier this year I am completely broken by a 1st stage exit at Q-School. I really felt like this year would be my best chance to get to finals and get status. I couldn't have picked a worse time to lose confidence in my swing. As good as my short game has been it still wasn't enough to make up for the rest of my game. The only bright spot of the tournament came at the 8th hole of the final round, a hole-in-one that momentarily got me back into contention. I was able to hit one perfect shot and very few other good shots all week. I will take the next few weeks to take a look at my game and where we go from here. I need to make some changes but I also need to find the positives of the last year. I don't need to completely start over but I do need to find a way to continue to get better and have a better understanding of what I am trying to do. I will also need to figure out where I will be playing next year. As soon as I start to get things put together I will let everyone know what my plans are. Thanks again for a great year. I am sorry it ended a little early but professional golf is cruel game. I will learn from this and bounce back.
Matt

T26 at Gateway Tour Championship

2007-10-14T13:59:00.001-07:00

A chilly and windy week in Des Moines was the perfect welcome back to Midwest style golf. The Legacy Golf Club in Norwalk, Iowa was a difficult test with high rough and slick greens that borderline on crazy. I struggled the first two and a half rounds with my swing but was able to find a little confidence the last part of the tournament. I was able to find a good swing thought in the 3rd round and then work out the kinks on the range with my instructors Kevin Beard and Ben Kreger (who caddied for me this week). The final round was one of the best rounds I've played all year but a handful of putts just burned the edge to keep it from being a great round. It was nice to find some confidence during the last part of the tournament with Q-School just around the corner. I really enjoyed my time back in the Midwest and the chance to play a tournament with family and friends out supporting me. It was great to see all the familiar faces who came out to support and follow me during the tournament: Rick, Kyle, Kevin, Kathy, Mike, Drew, Jay, Marc, Don, Robbie, Zach, my Grandpa and my Parents. I really appreciate all the support and want to thank everyone for following my progress this year, it really does make a difference having a great support group. It has been a good year so far and I have the chance through Q-School to make it a great year. I will be posting again next week as I prepare for 1st stage in Lantana, Texas at Lantana Golf Club. Check back for updates and results

Matt

Next Up: Gateway Tour Championship

2007-10-02T00:01:00.001-07:00

The season ending Tour Championship is almost here! A $400,000 purse and a winner's share of $65,000. What a great way to end the year on the Gateway Tour and get ready for Q-School. Stay tuned for further updates. All tournament coverage and results can be found on the Gateway Tour website: www.thegatewaytour.com

10th Place Finish In Arizona Open

2007-09-22T20:41:00.000-07:00

The Arizona Open is one of my favorite tournaments of the year. I played very solid for three rounds but just couldn't put together that one low round I needed to be in contention. I hit the ball as well as I have all year and my chipping was the best its been in years. I putted solid but just burned the edge too many times to go low. I am very excited about the shape of my game going into the Tour Championship and Q-School. I am looking forward to getting back to the Midwest and playing a home game for the biggest purse of the year. Thanks again for checking in and I will be in touch before the Tour Championship Oct. 10-13.

Matt

Next Up: Arizona Open

2007-09-14T17:35:00.001-07:00

The AT&T Arizona Open is being played this year at the Golf Club Scottsdale, September 20-22. To follow the tournament results go to: http://www.southwest.pga.com/ and click on the AZ Open logo.

Gateway Summer Series ends with T42

2007-09-07T22:12:00.000-07:00

A disappointing finish to an otherwise great summer. I never got comfortable this week and my play was pretty uninspired. I have had my fill of desert golf for the summer and am looking forward to playing in some different conditions at the Tour Championship and Q-School. Desert golf courses all seem to play the same way and it is easy to get bored and lose focus week after week. I am very excited about the huge strides I have made in my game this year as compared to last. I am definitely a better player and feel like this is the year to move on to the next level. I will be playing my first stage of Q-School at the same site as last year in Lantana, Texas. It will be nice to get to a Q-School course knowing exactly what is ahead of me and what to expect. The Tour Championship in Des Moines at the Legacy Golf Club will be a great warm up to first stage. We will be playing for the largest purse of the year with 79 players in a four round tournament. I am excited to get to play a full tournament back in the midwest and not too far from home. I will be spending a day next week in Dallas working on my short game with Pat O'Brien, the putting instructor to this year's Masters Champion, Zach Johnson. I really think Pat will be able to help me get my short game back to being the strength of my game. A great putter will always have a place to play on the PGA Tour. Thanks for checking in and following my play this summer. It is always a great feeling to know that I've got the best support group behind me every time I tee it up. I will be in touch again soon

Matt

Solid Play Leads to Top 5 Finish

2007-09-01T11:30:00.001-07:00

A final round 70 was good enough to jump up 4 spots to a tie for 5th and a $5,691.00 paycheck. This is the 5th Top 5 finish in the last 8 events of the summer series and was good enough to jump up to 5th on the money list. It was nice to play a course where a 2 under round of 70 was good enough to move up the leaderboard instead of getting passed by half the field. The Chiricahua course at Desert Mountain Golf Club is a tough test with thick desert rock and brush left and right of every hole. Missing grass with a shot was an instant double bogey or higher. I wasn't able to avoid making double bogeys but I did make enough birdies to offset those mistakes. I am pleased with the way my swing felt for the first time in a couple of weeks. I am looking forward to the last Gateway event next week and getting ready for the Tour Championship in Des Moines, October 10-13. The Tour Championship will have a $400,000 purse with a 1st place check of $65,000. This will be a great warm up for Q-school that will start a few weeks later.
Thanks for checking in, I will post again after the completion of next week's event. To follow the scoring, stats or to check out the money list go to: http://www.thegatewaytour.com/
Matt

Up and Down Week for T32

2007-08-24T13:40:00.000-07:00

One great round, two solid rounds and one pretty bad round were the summary of the tournament this week. I never got comfortable with my swing and the putter was the determining factor of each round. Even during the 2nd round 64 I struggled with my ball striking but was able to manage my game and make a bunch of putts. I am not happy with the finish this week but I am encouraged that my ball striking slightly improved each round. I am going to take tomorrow off to recharge and then get back after it on Sunday. My energy levels have been pretty low this last few weeks so I need to make sure I am getting enough time away from golf to ensure I will be 100% whenever I tee it up.
I appreciate you checking in and I will be in touch again soon.
Matt

Missed Cut by 1 Shot

2007-08-16T16:35:00.001-07:00

After struggling in round 1 at my home course, Alta Mesa Country Club, I was unable to find any magic in round 2. Two rounds at 1 under par, 70-72, was 1 shot short of having a job for the final round. I am disappointed that I missed the cut but feel good that I know what I need to work on. A couple days of hard work and confidence building should get me ready to go for the next tournament. The last 3 tournaments are all 4 day events starting next week at Whirlwind Golf Club. Thanks for checking in and I will be in touch again soon.
Matt

Final Round 65 to Finish T-3rd

2007-08-02T23:12:00.001-07:00

For the second straight week I was able to shoot one of the lower final rounds and move up the leaderboard. After shooting a 6 under 30 on the front nine I stumbled a little on the back and wasn't able to maintain the same pace. A 7 under 65 was still a great way to finish off the tournament at 21 under. The tie for 3rd was good enough for a $6,648.00 check that moves us up to #6 on the Gateway Tour Desert Summer money list. I am very pleased with the results these last 5 events with 4 top 5 finishes and a 68.92 scoring average for the summer. I am looking forward to a week off this coming week and a chance to recharge my batteries and get some quality work in on my game. I am happy with the top 5 finishes but really want to get that first professional victory this year. I am getting closer each week and every time I can play the back nine the final day with the nerves of being in contention the better off I will be in the future. I can't wait for the final 4 events on the schedule and then the Tour Championship in Des Moines in early October. It feels great to go home after a tournament and be disappointed I didn't come away with the victory, that day can't be too far off.

Thanks for checking in, I will be in touch again in 2 weeks after the next tournament.

Matt

Final Round Jump to Top 5 Finish

2007-07-28T00:38:00.000-07:00

A 68 on the final day was good enough to move from a tie for 21st to a tie for 5th and a $3,421 check. On a day when scores were higher than usual it was great to be able to leap most of the field and collect my 3rd top 5 finish in the last 4 events. I continued to fight my swing today but was still able to find a way to make 5 birdies and only 1 bogey. I am very pleased that I am finally learning how to score and contend on days when I don't feel 100% comfortable or confident. Last year I didn't have the ability to gut out rounds in the 60's when I wasn't playing my best. I am looking forward to a few days of hard work this weekend to get my swing back to a level I feel comfortable with. I would really like to continue to build on this recent success and continue to improve in all parts of my game. I am nowhere near the level I need to be, but I am finally starting to get the results that show I am moving in the right direction. We are playing next week at Firerock Country Club and Tonto Verde Golf Club in a 4 day event starting on Monday. I will be back in touch after the completion of the next tournament.
Thanks again for checking in
Matt

66 Comes Up Short in Nationwide Qualifier

2007-07-23T22:31:00.000-07:00

There aren't too many days when a 66 doesn't feel like a good round. Unfortunately in Monday qualifiers a 66 doesn't always guarantee you a spot in the field. It took a 7 under 64 to get through the qualifier at the Players Club at Deer Creek. I struggled most of the day finding a swing I felt comfortable with. Luckily my short game, mostly the putter, were there to pick up the slack. A bogey free 5 under round was a good score considering my ball striking and the semi windy conditions. I am disappointed with not qualifying but pleased with the way I was able to gut out a solid number and give myself an outside shot of qualifying. I want to thank Larry and Brenda Ricks along with my uncle Rob Van Cleave for coming out to watch the action in Omaha. It was also great to have my Dad caddie for me today, it's always nice to let somebody else carry the load. Unfortunately I don't get too many home games playing on the Gateway Tour so it is always nice to get close to home for a tournament. I'm back to the Gateway Tour this week as we play Wigwam and Hillcrest in a 3 day event. Follow the scoring at the Gateway Tour website: http://www.thegatewaytour.com/

Thanks for checking in, I will be in touch later this week

Matt

2nd Place Finish at Trilogy Power Ranch

2007-07-19T18:45:00.000-07:00

A great week that came up just 1 shot short of forcing a playoff. I am extremely proud of the way I played this week. For the first time as a professional I put together an entire tournament of good scoring. The first round 62 was a career best and a great way to start the week. A 66 and 67 to finish the tournament at 18 under par capped off my best finish as a professional. The second place check for $6,904 is also the largest check to date. I am still disappointed to come up just 1 shot short of the victory. It hurts to be that close and not come away with my first professional victory. The next time I am in that situation I will have that much more experience under my belt of being in contention coming down the back nine. I know I have what it takes to win it's just a matter of being patient and waiting for things to fall into place. I am off to Omaha this weekend for the Nationwide Omaha Cox Classic Monday qualifier. I am looking forward to testing my game at the next level. Hopefully next week will be my first chance to play in a Nationwide Tour event. Thanks again for checking in, I will be in touch soon.

Matt

Tied For Lead With 1 Round To Play

2007-07-18T14:11:00.000-07:00

Tied for lead at 14 under par after 62-66. Final round tomorrow at 9:10 off of the 1st tee. I will check back in tomorrow after the completion of the tournament. For complete tournament coverage check out: http://www.thegatewaytour.com/

Matt

T23 Finish in Gateway Summer Event #5

2007-07-13T13:00:00.000-07:00

After getting off to a great start Wednesday I wasn't able to maintain the solid play in the final two rounds. A 66-74-72 was good enough to tie for 23rd and a check of $1,301.33. I am a little disappointed that I wasn't able to hit the ball as well as I did in the opening round the last two days. For some reason the Trilogy at Vistancia course just doesn't set up well for my game. I never got comfortable and fought my swing both rounds I played there. I still have to look at this week as another step in the right direction. The more often I put myself near the leaders the more likely I am to win a tournament this year. I will spend the next few days working out the flaws in my swing and getting prepared for another tournament and chance to continue improving. A tie for 23rd isn't the result we are looking for but I am making improvements that will soon start to show in the results.

Thanks for checking in.

Matt

Tied For Lead Through 1st Round Of Gateway Event

2007-07-11T12:41:00.001-07:00

For the second straight event I am off to a good start after posting a 6 under 66. I am currently tied at the top of the leaderboard with two rounds left to go. I am continuing to build on the success from the last event. I feel good about my chances of finishing on top this week. To follow the scoring check out the Gateway Tour website: www.thegatewaytour.com
Thanks again for checking in, I will be in touch soon
Matt

Top 5 Finish Despite Rough Final Round

2007-06-28T15:31:00.000-07:00

A four over par, 76, was not the round I was looking for starting the day. I'm not sure if it was the nerves or inexperience of playing in the final pairing that lead to my poor play. I struggled all day after getting off to a terrible start, 2 over par through 3 holes. Unfortunately I was not able to make as many birdies as I had made the previous three rounds. Even with a disappointing 76 I was still able to collect my first ever top 5 on the Gateway Tour. I am frustrated with my play today but excited about the progress I made this week. I was able to cash a $5,554.75 check that is the second largest check in my professional career. I also gained some valuable experience playing in the final group and going through the emotions that come with a chance to win on the final day. The next time I am in that situation I will have a better idea of what to expect and what I need to focus on to overcome my nerves. I am making strides each week and I am getting closer to that first professional win.

Thanks again for hanging in there with me as we go through a few bumps along the way. All the struggles and frustration will be worth it the day I get my PGA Tour card. I will be back in Maryville next week as we have a week off on the Gateway Tour, I hope to see everyone then. I will be in touch soon

Matt

2 SHOTS BACK HEADING INTO FINAL ROUND

2007-06-27T14:29:00.000-07:00

After a third round 6 under, 66, I am just two shots back of the leaders with one round to play. So far I have shot 66, 68 and 66 to sit at 14 under par. I played in the final pairing today sitting in third place alone entering the round. After all three of us in the final group shot 66 I am still 2 back and in third place alone. I am really playing well and feel great about my chances of finishing on top after tomorrow's final round. I've been saying that I'm playing well for the last few months so it's finally nice to have the scores reflect that feeling. I will be in touch again after the final round. To check out the full leaderboard go to: http://www.thegatewaytour.com/

Matt

T2 through 1 Round of 4th Gateway Summer Event

2007-06-25T13:31:00.000-07:00

The 4th event of the Gateway Tour Summer Series is off to a solid start. A first round 66, 4 under, is just 2 shots behind the leader and in a tie for 2nd. I played very solid hitting 16 of 18 greens with 30 putts and managed to play bogey free for the round. I continued my solid ball striking and average putting. As soon as I get some momentum with the putter I think we can expect some career low numbers and high finishes. I have never felt this confident standing over the ball with every club in the bag. I can't wait for the next few rounds for more chances at getting my putter on a roll.

Last week was a solid tournament that definitely could have been much better. I played consistent golf and lacked that spark I needed to take it low in a round to vault up the leaderboard. A tie for 33rd was a tough finish but definitely a step in the right direction. My game is starting to come around and the results are not far behind.

Thanks for checking in, I will be in touch again soon.

Matt

Gateway Summer Event #3 Up Next

2007-06-17T22:33:00.000-07:00

The Gateway Tour summer season is off to a bit of a slow start. I have played well in the first 2 events but have had trouble scoring well and missed both cuts. I need a week where I can put all aspects of my game together. So far I have hit the ball well but struggled to make enough putts to get much momentum and take it low. I am looking forward to this week's event at Pinnacle Peak Country Club and Tatum Ranch Golf Club. I played both of these courses on the summer circuit last year.
As you all know we lost a great man this fall in Chip Strong. Chip was an investor for Van Cleave Golf and continues to be one through his daughter Allison. I was lucky enough to play golf with Chip several times at several great courses and there was no one that loved the game more than he did. This fall they will be starting the Chip Strong Memorial Golf Tournament to benefit a scholarship fund and Northwest Basketball. The fund raiser will be Friday, September 21st at Mozingo Lake Golf Course. I am looking forward to coming back and playing in this great event. Please help to make this tournament a success by signing up to play and possibly becoming a sponsor for the tournament. If anyone is interested in playing contact Allison Strong or the Northwest Foundation for information. This is going to be a great opportunity to celebrate and remember Chip Strong.
Thanks again for checking in. Feel free to contact me at any time; vancleavegolf@hotmail.com.
I will be in touch again soon,
Matt

T25 in US Open Qualifying

2007-06-05T18:52:00.000-07:00

A 72 - 76 were not good enough to finish in the top four qualifying positions for the 2007 United States Open. I got off to a great start at 3 under through the first 5 holes, unfortunately I was not able to maintain that pace and went in the opposite direction. I hit the ball well for the 36 hole one day marathon but was not able to get hot with the putter and give myself a chance down the stretch. I was very disappointed with the score but pleased with the confidence I had with my swing. It has been a long time since I was that confident with a club in my hands. Now it is just a matter of getting the ball in the hole and getting my confidence with the putter to match that of my swing. I started the first summer event of the Gateway Tour today at Talking Stick Golf Club with a very similar 2 over par 72, a good ball striking day and poor scoring. I will need a good number tomorrow to get back within shouting distance of the leaders. Professional golf is a funny game where sometimes all you need is that one small opening to propel yourself to the next level. That break and chance have got to be just around the corner.

Thanks again for checking in, I will be in touch again soon. To stay connected with the results on the Gateway Tour click on the link to the right or simply go to: www.thegatewaytour.com

Matt

T2 at Local US Open Qualifying -- Advance to Sectional Qualifying

2007-05-21T20:47:00.000-07:00

A 3 under par 67 and a tie for 2nd place were good enough to advance through US Open local qualifying at Kansas City Country Club. A windy day and tough golf course were the perfect combination for a one day 18 hole qualifier; scores weren't going to be too low and the conditions exposed any weakness in your game. I played very solid all day with 1 eagle, 3 birdies and 2 bogeys. My days at Mozingo and Colbert Hills in the wind payed off as I was able to grind out a few tough birdies and several pars. I will now advance to the sectional qualifying for the US Open on June 4th in Murrieta, California. Sectional qualifying is a one day 36 hole marathon with a couple of passes to compete in the United States Open Championship handed out at the end of the day. I am one step closer to playing in the US Open and reaching my goals of competing against the best players in the world. There will only be a couple of qualifying positions in California so I will need to be on top of my game to advance, I am looking forward to the opportunity.

I have a few more days in Maryville before heading back to Phoenix on the 27th. I hope to see everyone in the next few days. Thanks again for checking in and I will be in touch soon.

Matt

T33 In Last Gateway Spring Series Event

2007-05-10T17:39:00.000-07:00

Usually if you shoot 7 under for 3 rounds you feel pretty good about your score. A tie for 33rd and an $1100 check was a little bit of a disappointment. I was under par in all three rounds, 68-71-70, but was missing that one great round that would vault me up the leaderboard. I continued my solid play this week but just couldn't get any momentum in the three rounds. I hit a lot of great putts that I thought should have gone in but the golf course felt much differently. I am very pleased with the state of my game going into the US Open Qualifier at Kansas City Country Club on May 21st. This qualifer is the only event on my schedule until the summer Gateway Series starts June 5th. These last 3 events on the Gateway Tour have probably been the best stretch of golf I have played since I turned professional. I really feel that the lessons I learned last year have been paying off. Mentally I am miles ahead of where I was at this point last year. I look forward to seeing everybody back in the 'Ville while I am home the 17th through the 27th.
Thanks for checking in and I will be in touch soon
Matt

First Top 10 of 2007 in Gateway Event

2007-05-04T16:04:00.000-07:00

After sharing the first round lead this week I was able to fight back to a tie for 7th and the first top 10 finish of the year. I played very well this week and was just one solid round short of a top 3 and even a chance to win. I have continued with the momentum I picked up last week after the second round 63. I hit the ball great all week with only a few loose swings in the second round and early in the final round. I was able to put together a solid 2 under back nine to finish the tournament moving up a few spots. I was putting this week with a SeeMore putter for the first time. I was really happy with the way I putted outside of trying to force too many putts in the second round. This is the same putting system that Zach Johnson used to win the Masters. I am excited about the direction that everything is going right now. After a tough start to the year with the USPGT going under I am just happy to have a consistent place to play. I am going to play again next week on the Gateway Tour at Hillcrest Golf Club. This will be the last event I play before US Open Qualifying at Kansas City Country Club on May 21st. I have also secured my schedule for the summer to play full time on the Gateway Tour in all 12 events and then the Tour Championship in Des Moines, Iowa the first week of October. I am excited about the improvements to both my mental and physical game. I am close to being ready to win. I just need to keep putting myself at the top of the leader board as much as possible. Next week is as good a time as any to pick up my first professional win.
Thanks for checking in, I will keep you updated as the tournament goes on next week
Matt

T10 heading into final round at Verrado

2007-05-02T20:09:00.000-07:00

I am playing again this week on the Gateway Tour in the event at Raven @ Verrado Golf Club. After sharing the first round lead with a 5 under 67 I slipped into a tie for 10th with a 2 over 74 in round 2. This was the first time I have been leading a tournament on the Gateway Tour. I am still riding a wave of confidence from the 63 in last weeks event. I have put myself in a good position to finish strong and pick up a good finish and check. I will let you know how things finish up tomorrow night. Check out the scores on the Gateway Tour website: http://www.thegatewaytour.com/
Thanks for checking in
Matt

Second Round 63 Highlights Tournament

2007-04-26T21:52:00.000-07:00

I learned this week why they say it is always tough to follow a great round with another good round. Tuesday was a tough day after shooting a 2 over 74 and trailing the leader by 12 shots. I left the course wandering what the difference between the guys shooting 8,9, and 10 under and myself was. I spent all day searching and questioning what it would take for me to finally break through and shoot a low round. I was really hard on myself and very frustrated with the situation. If only I had known that 24 hours later I would shoot my personal best score by 2 shots, a 9 under par 63, I might have slept a little better Tuesday night. It was one of those days where I was in the zone and every time I looked up the ball was flying right at the hole and all the putts were finding the bottom of the cup. Wednesday's round was definitely the boost in the arm that I needed. There is no feeling in golf like the one coming down the stretch knowing you have a career round going and fighting off the nerves and excitement. This was definitely the best round of golf I have ever played mentally and physically. Unfortunately, the final round saw all the putts that went in the day before just slide by the hole. I hit the ball well and felt good on the greens but I just couldn't get anything to go in. I made 1 birdie, 1 bogey and 16 pars. An even par 72 dropped me into a tie for 26th.
I really feel like this was a break through week in my professional career. I needed to know that I was capable of taking it low in a tournament. Now it is just a matter of putting myself in this situation more often. It's always easier to do something when you know you've already done it. I will be playing again on the Gateway Tour next week at the Raven at Verrado tournament. I will keep you posted before the tournament begins. Thanks for checking in.
Matt

Palm Valley Gateway Tour Event

2007-04-23T23:42:00.000-07:00

This week I will tee it up on the Gateway Tour at Palm Valley Golf Club. Palm Valley is typically a go low birdie and eagle fest. In order to be in contention on Thursday I will have to be well under par. I have played Palm Valley several times including the 2002 Junior College National Championship. I have always liked the course and feel very comfortable playing it. I had a great week off to work on my game and improve in a few key areas. I am excited about how comfortable and confident I am going into this week. I hope to bring you all good news Thursday night of a great week. Until then you can keep up with the tournament scores at the Gateway Tour website: www.thegatewaytour.com
Thanks again for checking in, I will be in touch soon.
Matt

USPGT Postpones Entire 2007 Schedule

2007-04-12T15:50:00.000-07:00

I received news today that the US Pro Golf Tour has postponed the entire 2007 schedule. This is the worst news that we could have received. They will not say that the tour is completely cancelled, but anything short of a miracle will result in just that. We have been told that they will continue to search for the necessary funding until all possible resources have been checked. This announcement leaves me with playing a full summer schedule on the Gateway Tour Desert Series. I will try to play in two more of the remaining spring events on the Gateway Tour before starting the summer series. The summer series will consist of 12 events with a Tour Championship to conclude the year. I will also be looking to play in a few state opens and Nationwide Monday qualifiers. I feel more comfortable and confident that my second year on the Gateway Tour will be a successful one. I know all of the courses and am familiar with what it takes to play well in the desert. I am just looking forward to putting everything behind me and playing some tournament golf. If anyone is interested in reading the full announcement from the USPGT on the postponement follow this link: http://www.usprogolftour.com/USPGT_News_Season%20Suspended.htm

I will be in touch soon,

Matt

Missed Cut at Gateway Wigwam Event

2007-04-11T19:10:00.000-07:00

69-73 -- 142 (-2)
Cut at 140 (-4)

Back at home on the Gateway Tour

2007-04-10T19:11:00.000-07:00

I am playing this week on the Gateway Tour. After a few weeks of rest and practice I am excited about getting back into competition. The first round of the tournament was today at the Wigwam Resort Red Course. I opened with a solid 3 under 69 to stand in a tie for 20th. I played very solid and consistent golf with 4 birdies and 1 bogey. I was pleased with my ball striking and course management. I was able to make a few good birdie putts and snuck in one 40 foot par putt to keep my round going on the 10th hole. The winds are supposed to blow tomorrow up around 20 miles per hour. I have an afternoon tee time of 12:06 off of the 10th hole. My years at Kansas State and growing up in Maryville and playing in the wind should come in handy. I am looking forward to the challenge and attempting to improve on today's round 1.

After watching the Masters this weekend I am even more excited about the journey I am on. Zach Johnson's story and career started exactly as mine has. He was a decent junior golfer without much national success. He started his professional career by putting together a partnership of investors from his home town of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Zach says the key to his success has been improving at every level. Zach's major success can do nothing but give me confidence and hope that I can achieve my goals and realize my dreams. All I can do is strive to improve each and every day and year. We are on the right track, whatever tour it is this year it will be a chance to improve.

I haven't received any important updates from the USPGT. The collective feeling is that things are not going to improve and that the tour will go bankrupt. I have already set it up to play on the summer Gateway Tour series if things do not change at the last minute. I will make the best of whatever situation I am in. I will be in touch again soon. To see the latest scores from the Gateway Tour check out the website at: http://www.thegatewaytour.com/

Thanks again for checking in,

Matt

US Pro Golf Tour Update

2007-03-26T23:33:00.000-07:00

What started out as a great year with endless possibility has just taken an unfortunate turn. We were recently informed that the US Pro Golf Tour has lost its main sponsor and will have to cancel 4 weeks of tournaments to buy time to find more funding. The sponsor who was putting up the funding for expenses and prize money has unfortunately decided to withdraw his sponsorship of the USPGT. This is the worst possible thing that could have happened to the USPGT. The tour is not going to completely fold, instead they are going to spend the next month searching for a new sponsor and more money. I do have faith that the people behind this tour are going to do everything they can to get us back up and running by the April 26-29 event in Baton Rouge, LA. The plan is to reschedule all of the events that are postponed and continue with the rest of the schedule as planned. Unfortunately, we have no guarantees that they will have any success in finding a new sponsor. We can only hope that things work out for the best and get back to normal as quickly as possible.
As far as my future schedule I am still in the process of working out the kinks. I will fill the empty weeks by buying into two Gateway Tour events here in Phoenix. If the tour does not recover I will play the entire summer series on the Gateway Tour. I am certain that I can find tournaments to play in all year. This set back with the USPGT is a major one right now but in the long run will only be minor. I will make the best of any situation I encounter as we move forward. At the end of the day, good golf is good golf anywhere. My main goal is not to play on the USPGT or Gateway Tour. These tours are merely a stepping stone to the PGA Tour and achieving my goals on the highest level. I will do everything I can to find the best opportunities to gain experience and make money along the way. If anyone has any questions please feel free to send me an email at: vancleavegolf@hotmail.com
I would be more than happy to forward you the latest financial and tour updates that I receive from the USPGT. This is only a small hurdle in the road along the way to the PGA Tour. The tough times along the way are what build character and make the journey that much better when we make it to the top. Thanks again for checking in. I will keep everyone up to date as I find tournaments to play in and hear news on the USPGT.
Matt

Garland Firewheel Classic

2007-03-19T19:40:00.000-07:00

Well, the first event of the 2007 US Pro Golf Tour is in the books. I have to consider it a successful week with a few could have beens along the way. I finished the tournament at one over par in a tie for 34th, earning $1,955.00. Unfortunately I stumbled a little on the weekend and lost a little ground on the field. It is always frustrating to be in a decent position on the weekend and go the wrong direction on the leader board. But, looking back I am very pleased with the way things turned out. To start out the year with a paycheck is always a good feeling. I really feel as though the lessons I learned last year are going to carry me a long way this year. I am already much more comfortable on the course and in the tournament setting. I am excited about the opportunities on the US Pro Golf Tour. The way the tournament was run and the feeling of big tour golf was amazing. The community of Garland and the USPGT staff did a great job of putting together a first class event. I can only hope that this was a sign of what is yet to come this year.
I am taking this week off to recover from a cold that I picked up while in Texas. This will also give me a great opportunity to work out the kinks in a few areas of my game that need work. I need to continue to learn to simply play golf and work on getting the ball in the hole, not work on how pretty my swing looks.
After a week off I will be back on the road to Hollister, California for the 2nd regional event on the USPGT. As soon as that tournament ends I will be flying to Tunica, Mississippi for the second $300,000 USPGT event. I learned this week that I love the travel and have the best job in the world. It is definitely going to be tough to be away from Sarah and Molly (our dog) as much as I will this year. Hopefully Sarah will make it out a few times to caddy and take care of me on the road. I am also looking forward to having my parents on the road a few times and my Dad putting up with me as my caddy.
Thanks again for checking in and the continued support. I will be in touch again before I hit the road to California.
Matt

Welcome to the new website!

2007-03-08T17:31:00.000-07:00

March 8, 2007
Welcome to the new and improved website for VanCleave Golf. Thanks to the help from Noah Hurst, a fellow Spoofhound, we are upgrading and improving on the website. We will be working to add a few new features to the website that will allow you to better track our 2007 results. These features will be up and running in the weeks to come as we put the finishing touches on the new site.

We are about to kick off the 2007 season on the US Pro Golf Tour in Garland, Texas. The first event is one of the 10 main USPGT events with a purse of $300,000. The tournament starts next Thursday and finishes on Sunday. We will be playing at the Firewheel at Garland Bridges course. I have not played the course before but will get a chance to play practice rounds on Tuesday and Wednesday. I am excited about the opportunity to travel and play different styles of golf this year. I feel comfortable with my game and a year of experience under my belt. Last year was a tough year with plenty of chances to learn. I am looking to build off of the solid play I showed during the qualifying event a few weeks ago. This year is all about patience and acceptance. If I can go to the course every day with a patient outlook and more accepting approach, then it will be a great year. I am looking forward to the triumphs and challenges that await us in 2007. To follow the results check out the US Pro Golf Tour website by clicking on the link above, or by going to www.usprogolftour.com
Thanks again for the continued support, I can't thank all of you enough for this opportunity.
Matt