[Matt]

Good to hear about your experience. I played in a couple WI state ams back in high school and learned quite a bit. Oftentimes I felt like I had a leg up on the competition, considering I had competed all spring at high school tournaments and the state am was only a few weeks after that season ended. For a lot of the players there, it was likely their only tournament of the year.

I didn't always play my best (a few good rounds, a few salvaged rounds, a couple blow up rounds), but enjoyed the opportunity each time I teed it up. Most of the challenge is in your head - whether it's having to watch a fellow competitor play especially poorly, you starting to make some birdies, you starting to make some bogies, etc, it's tough to keep your head level and not let things throw off your game.

And there's always the players with the awkward, homemade swings that manage to shoot low (a.k.a. beat you). They wouldn't know a flat left wrist from a right forearm, but they can put the club on the ball. Knowing all I knew, playing marginally was particularly frustrating. I imagine you had similar thoughts.

Best of luck in the future.