Asain Tour School update

Hi all.

Thanks again for coming in and reading my blog!
I've been playing in Asia for the past three weeks, more specifically in a town called Hau Hin, situated in Thailand.
I decided to give the Asian Tour school a go since it's winter here in the States and more importantly because my game is at it's best its been!

Quick review of what it's all about: There are two stages and after 600 golfers from all around the world compete in a eliminations process the final 40 golfers receive Asian Tour cards for the 2012 golfing season.
I was assigned to a course called Imperial Lake View and finished in a tie for 18th after the first stage with the top 28 advancing. It was a good week looking back and I had to fight pretty hard to come back from a major setback in the first round to play some good consistent golf and in the end, qualify for final stage quite comfortably.

The final stage was the following week, there were 240 golfers competing for 40 cards and played at Springfield Golf Club which is a tricky Jack Nicklaus design. The fact that the final stage was the following week left little room for any rest but luckily I'm in a great shape thanks to Chris Kendrick from Diverge Fitness Gym and was able to pace myself nicely throughout the two grueling week process.

I was able to get off to a good start the first day shooting a pretty comfortable 68 (-4) which put me in the top 10 after the first day. I was happy with this start because I was scheduled to play in the afternoon on the first day and to say we had windy conditions was an understatement. It's always nice to get off to a good start, since I was fighting from the back of the field during the first stage so giving myself the opportunity to build on a solid foundation was nice.

The second day was a early start and I got off to a quick start, made a couple birdies through the first four holes and was cruising at -6, controlling the golf ball and making good decisions.
It was on the fifth hole that I had a unlucky bounce and found my ball nestled in a tiny shrub on the right of the fairway- I took my punishment and chipped it out... from then onwards my wrist which got injured after the club got stuck in the shrub was unable to control the club and I proceeded to have a roller coaster round making a 12 foot putt on the seventeenth and a 10 foot slider on eighteenth to make the cut.

The next two rounds were preceded with physio-therapy, pain killers etc. Sadly I was not able to control my golf ball for the last two days and saw my hopes of earning a Asian Tour card slip.
Why did it happen? No idea.
There are times that you wish these unfortunate circumstance would rather happen during a regular season instead of a pretty important q school.

I did learn that it was not meant to be my time to earn an Asian Tour card for the 2012 season. Gods Will!

The most important thing that I learned from this trip was that for a week and a half I competed with some pretty good golfers and was close to the lead and my game held up! I'm good enough to play with anyone!

My time will come and when it does I'll be able to draw on all my experiences that I've been blessed with and play my best!

Last thing. Don't loose your passport when you are traveling abroad- it's never a good idea.

I'll be updating my blog at the end of next week to let you know my finalized plans and schedule for the 2012 season.

Thanks for all your support and God Bless.

Christian

Christmas update

Hi all.

It's been a month since I've updated my blog.

I unfortunately didn't advance through to final stage of PGA Tour Q school in late November, although I felt like I played well I wasn't able to find any momentum during the second stage and deliver the goods.. be-it-as-it-may. I'm excited about 2012!

Where to next?

Asian Tour school in the second week of January.

I feel like my game has developed enough that I can actually go and compete out in Asia, there is ample opportunity to play some good events and find success as we get on tour and climb that ladder!!

I'll be leaving on the 4th of January and competing in Thailand- There are two stages as apposed to the three that you find here in the States, there's obviously tough competition but I feel like my game has grown in consistency over the last year and I should be more than ready to compete at that level.

Anyways.. I hope you all have a fantastic Christmas with all your family and friends! I'm planning on spending some quality time with some good friends and I'm confident that it will be bringing ample laughs to the table:)

I'll be sure to update you all more frequently throughout my travels as I've got a feeling that woman caddies and cheap taxis will bring about a few laughs.

Enjoy the holidays!

God Bless.

Christian

Through First Stage and on we go!

Hey all.

I write with some great news- I successfully qualified through the first stage of PGA tour Q School.

Two more to go!!

I shot 3 under for the week and finished in a tie for eighth, with the top eighteen and ties advancing through to the second stage.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the process of q school, there are three stages and golfers are eliminated at each stage until you reach the final stage of 165 golfers. After the six competitive rounds the top 25 gain their playing privileges on the PGA Tour for the 2012 season and the remaining 50 gain full privileges on the Nationwide Tour for the 2012 season.

In a nut shell: "It's the most nerve wracking three weeks of a golfers life."

Now the beauty of me is that I'm playing well at the moment and feel extremely confident in my ability. I'm also taking the second stage on with an attitude of what ever happens happens.

I read yesterday in my bible study that when you realize that God loves you for who you are and your family loves you for who you are then it doesn't matter what you shoot, cause their love is unconditional. What a revelation.

Thanks again for all the support from all around the world!

I'll be playing a Peach State Tour event the week before 2Nd stage in Valrico Fl as a tune up- anything to keep my game sharp.

I'll keep you guys posted.

God Bless.

Christian Ries

PGA Tour Q School 1st stage.

Hi all.

It's been a while since I last blogged.

Tomorrow is just another day in my mind but to those of you who follow golf enthusiastically it is also the first day of the PGA Tour Q school.
My game has been solid leading into this event and I'm feeling positive about my game and mental state.

The last few months has seem a drastic change in my game for the better and its been great to see some of the hard work pay off.

This is a rather short post but I'll be writing a full report on Sunday after the tournament.

Thanks for all your support and prayers.

God Bless.

Christian

Happy 4th!

Hi all.

It's been a while since I've last posted- life as I know it has been pretty busy with golf, golf and some more golf.
There are no complaints and I'm happy to report that my game is getting better and that my scoring has come down nicely over the past few months.

I've been playing on the Peach State Tour and have started seeing some solid rounds being put together. My last two outings have been 12th(-4) and 17th(-6).
I'll be playing this tour all the way to Q school and will also be adding some Nationwide Monday qualifiers to the mix once the tour returns a bit closer to the South East.
My coach Mark Immelman and I have been putting in a lot of work and my ball striking is getting better and I'm also feeling more comfortable over the ball. The other addition that I've added to the "Ries" team is Dr. Morris Pickens out of Sea Island Ga. He is a sports psychologist that is currently working with several PGA Tour players and Majoy champs. I spent Saturday afternoon working with him and am excited to report that there is ample room for growth in that department and that only means that there is room for lower scores and better golf!! Exciting stuff!

I've got this week and the 4th off and then I'm back for four weeks in a row. I'll be keeping you all posted on my results as they happen.

Have a fantastic 4th of July and be safe while you celebrate the independence of one great country!

Thanks again for all the support.

God Bless.

Christian Ries

Masters Champ!

What a Sunday finish to this years MASTERS!!!

I don't know about y'all but with the final group standing on the 12th tee, it was still anybodies tournament to win or loose. What an exciting finish!
We had a little bit of everything mixed in the bowl for the final nine.... two past Masters Champs in Cabrera and Woods, US Open Champ Ogilvy making five straight birdies to come from nowhere, add the jinxed Luke Donald striking the pin on 18 twice, Bo van Pelts two eagles on 13 and 15... wow!
But it has to be said that this was all outdone by the majestic ball striking and putting of a very under the radar Charl Schwartzel! He showed us that he is mature beyond his years and that he could control his nerves right to the end, fitting that all so mighty-full green jacket on with ease:)
I just can't believe that two of my team mates that I won the World Junior Team Champs with are now Major Champions!! That is truly a remarkable feat.

I don't think any 'normal' golfer outside the professional realms can grasp how difficult it really is to win out there... Rory had it in the bag but as we know, there is more to winning Major Championships that just hitting the golf ball. You need to be able to manage your game, emotions, focus, mind and have a few lucky breaks.
That's the exact recipe that Charl used and now he's going to bed wearing his Green Jacket!!

I've got allot of work ahead of me if I want to challenge the likes of Oosthuizen and Schwartzel.. but as we all know, everyone runs their own race and God has timing like none other! So I'll keep on working, focusing and getting better and with a bit of luck get my mind and game to the level where I can contend week in and week out.

I'm leaving South Africa for good come April 24th. I'll be competing on the Peach State Tour in Georgia and am planning on doing a few Monday qualifiers on the Nationwide Tour. The goal is to get my game ready so that I can be firing on all cylinders come October and the PGA Tour Q school.
South Africa has been great and I feel like my game has got allot better but I know that I am a lot more comfortable on the fairways in America and I'll be narrowing my focus on one geographical area:)

I'll also be blogging more often so keep your eyes on this space because I know 2011 is the year for continued hard work and great golf!

God Bless!

Christian

Comeback!

Good day on a Masters Sunday!

What a Sunday this is shaping up to be... as long as we don't see a horrific downfall by our leader, Mcllroy should be our newest Major Champion and a well deserved one!! He is a rare and amazing talent with a head of maturity beyond his years. 2011 has seen some amazing golf thus far and it seems to be the "young guns" that are coming through in leaps and bounds- I'm happy to switch on the sports channel and see the names of Kirk, Woodland, Simpson and Vegas doing well! I played allot of amateur and professional golf with these guys and know they have the talent to keep doing well and stay out there. Having mentioned that I must mention that it has also made me even more dedicated to my own personal goals of being on the PGA TOUR.
It has been a slow start for me to the 2011 season here on the Sunshine Tour, my game has been in somewhat of a dismal form with not much being put together at once.. I did start to see some flashes of greatness at the Telkom PGA as my name appeared on the leader board for a day or so... but the weekend and the constant missed shots took its toll and I slipped a little down that leader board ending at -7.
Hindsight is always the best educator and looking back I should have made my comeback after my shoulder surgery a good few months later instead of the 18weeks that I gave it to heal...
I'm only now (6months later) starting to get my feel back and my distance... add those two together and my good short game and I'm excited for a good season ahead in America.

I wanted to give you all a quick update and I'll post again after tonight's Sunday Masters Golf with some comments and a full schedule up of my own golf for the next few months.

Take care and don't forget the popcorn!!!

God Bless.

Christian

Joburg Open

Hi.
A very Happy New year to everyone- I hope it will be a good year for y'all with loads of success and all your goals accomplished.
2011 has started off with a lot of work and I'm starting to see the results I want in practice and am now starting to see it come through during tournament competitiveness.

This week is the 2nd European Tour event of our Sunshine Tour/European Tour season- The Joburg Open.
I shot 72 yesterday on the tougher East course and have my work cut out this afternoon on the easier West course here at Royal Johannesburg GC.
This week has been another cool experience and I'm more motivated than ever to reach my goals during this year.

I'll be blogging during my off week, next week before the Zimbabwe Open in Harare.

Thanks for the support.

God Bless.

Christian

Nashua Masters & BMG Classic

After a short lived week last week at the Wild Coast its back to the grind and I’m teeing it up at Glendower Golf Club in Johannesburg tomorrow.
The course is in great condition and playing rather long for a course that’s two thousand feet above sea level but this won’t be stopping me from making lots of birdies because the greens are running at around twelve and I’m putting rather nicely. (Nice and FAST!)
I can’t wait for the day when my shoulder is no longer a problem but it’s running at about 95% at the moment and I must admit that it gets a bit tired during those last few holes but I’m grinding it out and trying to learn from this whole ordeal. It feels better every week so I’m excited to see how it holds up this week.

For those of you who are new to my blogs I try add a funny story every other week or whenever they decide to appear.

As I mentioned earlier I missed the cut last week and was asked to play in a Pro-am in Joburg on Saturday morning. After finding out I’d get paid to play I confirmed my participation without thinking about too many travel arrangements. (Was thinking there’d be shuttles from the main hotel to the airport two hours away…) Mental note to self: Don't think.
I got off the course at 6pm and the last shuttle did in fact leave while I assume I was busy playing the 11th hole… So... No transport, 10:30 flight (two hours away), zero lift to the airport and a hefty fine from the Tour if I miss the Pro-am… I made my flight by one minute after paying a caddie on the Tour to drive me the 2 and ½ hours to the airport!!!! (the ½ hour was added after we drove to the old “Durban International” completely not knowing about the new King Shaka International thirty minutes away… brutal… one minute!!)


Please follow me this week at www.sunshinetour.com

1st round start is 6:50am tomorrow!

Cheers and God Bless.

Christian

Success!

Hi.

It's been ten days since the surgery and I'm super excited to report that the surgery was such a huge success that I was able to take my arm out of the sling yesterday.
The Dr. reported that he took out a substantial amount of calcium and that there were NO torn tendons or damaged muscles either. The pain going down my arm has since disappeared as well as the numbing feeling that I was experiencing in my fingers... YAY to a successful surgery!

THANKS FOR ALL THE PRAYERS!

If you can sense that I'm getting excited to get out there you should know that the golf bug is pulling towards the course and that I'll be starting my come back on Wednesday with a few hours of short game!!! Don't worry... I won't over do it and do too much... haha

On a side note: I offered my time to a awesome charity called the Tembaletu School Project which is in Guguletu (for those that don't know the area: poor shacks, no running water, electricity etc.) It is one of the Hillsong Africa Foundation projects which promotes equal access to a high standard of education and life skills development for children with disabilities. It also creates a safe environment, free from predatory behaviour and dangerous elements and provides dignity, love, confidence and will enrich the lives of children from these disadvantaged communities.

It's a awesome cause and I'm looking forward to hanging out with these kids tomorrow at the first fundraiser in Guguletu.

I'm very confident that I'll be back playing full time on the Sunshine Tour in mid October!!!

I'll blog again in a couple weeks to keep you updated on the progress of my game.

Have a good week and chat soon.

God bless.

Christian

Surgery

Hi.

I'm writing my blog from the rather coldish South Africa!

It's always good to be home and I'm enjoying the odd bit of sunlight we get from time to time here in Cape Town.
I'm being taken under the knife on Friday morning to have this calcium removed from my shoulder- I've tried the rehab and both shoulder specialists I've seen have recommended that I have it surgically removed.

I've never thought that I'd be this excited to be put to sleep (for an hour or so) but I can't wait to get back into golf without any distractions or hiccups! The latest with my recovery period, and we will know more after the surgery, is between two to six weeks. If nothing is too damaged and they don't have to do any repair work on the shoulder other that the removal of the calcium then I can get back to full mobility within two weeks and should then be teeing it up middle to end of October.

I'll keep you all updated and I will know more once they get in there and have a look!

There aren't many funny stories from my traveling at the moment but I'm sure they'll be streaming in once I get back out on the road and join the guys on the tour!!

Thanks for all the constant well wishes! They are truly appreciated.

Have a good day and God Bless.


Christian

I'm back!

Hi.

I've got good news- I'll be teeing it up in two weeks on the Sunshine Tour! The first back event will be the Telkom PGA Pro-Am in September 1-3. I'll be playing five events in South Africa and getting ready for the PGA Tour Q school in late October.

Rehab has gone well with my shoulder and I've met all the optimistic points with the Dr's looking into my case. There is no stinging pain anymore and my rotator cuff muscle has been showing considerable improvement in strength from seven weeks ago. I'm also back in the gym and am able to do allot more exercises than I used be able to do!!

I had a good session with my coach (Mark Immelman) today and am excited to be teeing it up again!

No other dramatic news- I was in Chicago for the weekend and I must admit that it has slipped into my top three coolest cities in the world! What a place!

I'll be updating this blog more regularly now that I'm playing and being a l0t more active!

Take care and God Bless.

Christian

Calcium build up...

Hi.

I decided to have a second opinion on my shoulder and it turns out that I have a build up of calcium in my left shoulder nestling on the rotator cuff muscle. Had an X-ray taken and it showed two places in my shoulder where there is calcium...
The Dr. doesn't know why it happens but every so often the body will try and fight a muscular tear with calcium... brutal.

I'm on a strict rehabbing schedule and should be back to chipping and putting next week and then progressing into the long game the weeks thereafter.

If all goes according to plan then I should be back to full competition within 5-6 weeks!
Reading has now become a favorable hobby and I've also become quite the Braves supporter.
I've got allot of decisions to make for the rest of the year with regard to my game and where I want to compete and will have an updated schedule within two weeks for you all to see.

PS. "The Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman is a awesome read!

God Bless.

Christian

Injured shoulder has me rehabing at home for three weeks.

Hi everyone.

Let me start by reflecting back on this past weeks Open Championship!

What an unbelievable performance by Louis Oosthuizen- he gave us an immaculate performance and showed the whole world that he now is a force to be reckoned with.
Congratulations Louis!! I know there are many more performances like that to come.

A fun fact is that Louis, Charl Schwartzel and myself were all part of the South African Junior team that won the World Junior Team Championship in Japan. That's going back about nine years but I'm glad that we finally have a major winner out of that group!!
Seeing them doing so well and making a success of their golf careers definitely keeps me motivated to get to the top.

Having said that.... I've unfortunately injured my left shoulder into my upper bicep muscle and will be taking an additional two weeks off to rehab and strengthen it in order to be on my game.
If I have to look at any blessings in disguise it would be that this injury has happened well in advance of my busy schedule.... that being in a couple months, so I'll have more than enough time to get healthy and get my game to where it needs to be.

I'll be preparing for PGA Q school here in Atlanta and will continue to be ironing out the silly faults and nags with my swing coach Mark Immelman for the next few months.

I'll give y'all another update in the next couple weeks when I've got a clearer picture on the exact date of my return.

Have a good day and God Bless.

Christian

Two 2nd's in a row!!

Hey folks.

I'm excited to announce my new website is up and running!!

Life has been rather busy since my last post; I'm back in Atlanta Ga, and playing every week.
My focus this year is simple: get better!! I'm spending my time on the Peach State Tour in Georgia and it's been a nice start. I've had two 2nd's in a row with some solid rounds under the belt and am steadily climbing the money list.
I'll also be playing a few Hooters Tour events along with a few Monday qualifiers for Nationwide Tour events all leading into PGA Tour school in September.

There are no funny stories yet but I did post my lowest round as a professional on Monday in Newnan with a 64.

I'll be playing in Monroe Ga, next week on the Peach State Tour.

Look out for my post next week after the event and have a great 4th of July weekend with your family and friends.

God Bless.

Christian

Getting there!

Hi all.


What a week its been! I'm home after a long three weeks on the road and am glad to have had allot of positive come from my travels in East London and Johannesburg. I managed to finish in a tie for 30th at -6 in the Joburg Open (the final European Tour event for January in SA) and can comfortably say that I have once again proved to myself that I really do belong on tour and can handle myself at that level.

The nerves were flying and I must admit that I was a little too up and down emotionally but with that I think I'm getting closer to being able to manage my nerves during these long competitive weeks!! Its has been especially long for me because I've had to Monday qualify into every event thus far but no complaints because even Ernie said that he had to do it and it's all part of paying your dues.....

There wasn't a funny story that stood out but allot of positive things did come out of the week....

A quick story was that through 27 holes I was only three shots off the lead and noticed this while walking to the tenth tee, during the next five holes I managed to think about it and drop four silly silly shots before I kicked myself mentally and birdied two of the last four to get the ship moving in the right direction... The brain is so powerful that I'm extremely upset looking back on the situation and having dropped all those shots but at the same time it's extremely reassuring to know I stepped my mental game up and birdie coming in; making it comfortable inside the cut line.

I have the next two and a half weeks off, in which I will be celebrating a 27th birthday on the 31st of January!!! along with that it's just working out and practicing to get ready for the next three summer Sunshine Tour events in February.
Please keep on following the action at http://www.sunshinetour.com/

I'll be blogging again before the Di Data being played in Fancourt early next month.

Thanks again for all the support and God Bless!


Christian

Joburg Open

Hi,

Once again it was good news- I qualified for the Joburg Open yesterday with a 68!
Had a early practice round this morning on the East course and was satisfied with what I saw.

I look forward to a good week and am excited about my game just the way it is!!!

I'll blog again after the event- just heard I'm off at 6:30 am tomorrow on the East course.
Follow the action at www.europeantour.com or www.sunshinetour.com

God Bless!

Christian

Africa Open

Hi all.

I must start by apologizing for the delay in my blog- I have since my last blog enjoyed a wonderful Christmas with my family and had a working "holiday" up the east coast of SA with my friend Mirko and the Ker Fox family. Played allot of golf in the two weeks off between the SA open and the Africa Open.
I had to qualify for the Africa Open in Fish River Sun and finished in a t3rd at even par. In our practice rounds, making birdies was easy on the defenseless course- I have played the course as a junior before and experience told me that she might appear easy at first but with a little wind the course could become a raging monster. The day of the qualifier was something else, I haven't played in wind like that in a long while and knew that pars were winners.... 16 pars, a bogey and a birdie later, I was through!!!

Having qualified for my second European Tour event in a row the nerves where allot less and I must admit that I started to believe that I do belong on this stage! I hit the ball extremely well but unfortunately didn't have all the cylinders working on the greens and missed the cut by two.

As always, something funny has to happen during such a week- I had four different caddies in four days!?!?! I can only feel for them because twice the weather was raining and overcast and with such weather the tour bag (big bag the caddie has to carry in order to get paid) does collect a few extra items which makes it too heavy for me to carry... so that was that...

I had my dad travel with me for the week and it was nice having him around for company but I think he has a new appreciation for what we do and the time and effort it takes... was a blessing to have him around!!!

It's the Joburg Open this week and unfortunately I have to qualify but feel really good about my game and am excited about the challenge of beating 135 golfers to get in!

I'll blog again by the end of the week to let y'all know how things progressed. (www.europeantour.com or www.sunshinetour.com)

Take care,

God Bless.

Christian

Good Christmas news all round!

Hi,



As the 2009 season is rapidly coming to and end with all the festivities of family and friends around we can all look back and reflect on a pretty good year! With 2010 on our doorstep we can set those lofty goals, down put them on paper and hope we achieve a few of the milestones.


I just received some good news from my dear friend Edward Toledano in Atlanta that I will still be a member at Druid Hills Golf Club next year! I took some pictures before I left a few weeks ago and will have them added to this blog. Feel free to visit their website at DHGC.org to have a better idea why I'm so thrilled about this!!!
Along with that good news there will also be 24 people at our annual Christmas party- this I think might be a record and I'm looking forward to the festive day.

I'm also starting out the year on the Sunshine Tour in category 13. # 62 therefore allot of goals will be reached this year as I work my way into a better category.

Other then that, please be safe on the roads during this busy period and enjoy your time with your family!
I'll blog again before the Africa Open!

God Bless

Christian

A short lived week.

Hi all.

Sadly this was not the best week for team Ries.
After a shaky start on day one things got out of hand yesterday with some
pretty errant tee shots on a course that requires accuracy all over.

There where flashes of brilliance but unfortunately they where only flashes...

It was a fun week and starting out on the first tee I couldn't really feel my legs
with a hundred or so people in the grand stands cheering me on. It was a valuable experience and one that I'm thankful for- I'm now 0-2 for cuts made in the SA Open but I'm confident the way my game has been progressing that the cuts will start coming more naturally out here!

There was one funny incident that happened in my group on day two: my playing partner Eugene, was attempting to go for the par five 3rd hole in two, after striking ball out of the sweet spot it proceeded to hit a huge and unlucky bird mid flight! I couldn't help but laugh!
It was awesome to have my family and friends in the crowd and my old grandmother who still thinks that golf isn't a real job...

My next event is the second week of January in East London. Its called the Africa Open (European Tour event), it will mark the start of our 2010 season. I will post my next blog then.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Blessed new year!

God Bless.

Christian