30 Context-Free Observations from Jessica Hadwin at the Valspar Championship

It’s the last week of the Florida Swing, and I’m feeling weirdly nostalgic and a bit sad thinking about it being the last full one for our family of three as we now have an almost kindergartener. We have so many memories from our trips to the Valspar over the years, some amazing, some not so amazing, and many somewhere in between. Much like the years before, this trip added a little of each to our memory banks.

Pre-Tournament

-Thankful to not feel like death. Thankful to have all our pups back home safe. It’s gonna be a good week!

-Spent Monday at the coolest family owned and run aquarium/rescue. Shoutout Tarpon Springs Aquarium. Only you could make me feel warm and fuzzy about snakes, crocodiles, and grouper.

-Hung around the water park/pool area at Innisbrook Tuesday while Adam was at the course all day. I have really enjoyed Innisbrook the last couple of years. It’s always clean, it’s spacious, and the staff are on top of things and friendly.

-Wednesday we went to the water park again but this time with Adam (after he finished at the course) and his caddy/family. Hard to believe we’ve been a little golf crew for 10+ years now. I love that family and it’s been wild to watch our kids grow up on the road together!

-I think Adam and Joe (his caddy) have to be one of the longer running player/caddy relationships. There’s something to be said about that IMO.

-Wednesday evening we had a little team dinner on the sponge docks in Tarpon Springs at Dimitri’s on The Water. My favorite place in the Valspar area. Just delicious Greek food and a cool vibe.

Thursday

-Take Adam to the clubhouse about 10am. Tee time 1 p.m. Him and Maddox (our daughter) go in for breakfast, and I sit in the car to try and get caught up on some emails.

-Get to the course right as Adam’s group is teeing off and he says “did you see Joe’s bib.”

-Joe’s bib is proudly displaying “Jessicashusband” and I wonder if people will think we are in some sort of situationship

-It’s windyyy.

-I’m hanging out in the pine straw and both my “no show” socks are halfway down my feet. I see our building in the distance and the urge to flee is strong.

-Try to use the player family bathroom on 14. Struggle with the code on the lockbox. Start to panic about people wondering why I’m trying to break in the bathroom. Abandon task.

-Chat with a nice girl from Canada who’s out watching on 14. If you’re reading this hi!

-It’s starting to sprinkle on the back 9. Scope out where I can take cover, spot a fully enclosed Zyn pop up building. I may take up dipping. (I don’t even know if that’s what it’s called?)

-It’s pouring and cold.

-After a 30 min hangout under the volunteer tent I’m back out to finish this dang round! Rain or shine.

-Adam keeps looking at me confused and finally asks “What are you doing here?”

-Couldn’t finish the round cuz I had to go grab our daughter before daycare closed but got 17 holes in which for me is a feat.

-Quick dinner to go from Cava and an early night for an early tee time for our guy.

Friday

-Adam’s out of the room just after 5 a.m. for his 7:45 a.m. tee time. We sleep in and plan to catch the back nine.

-Get to the course and it’s cold and windy as hell again. Start taking a peek at what the cut might be.

-On the 10th hole, it appears Adam was in the vicinity of some sort of sprinkler malfunction…

-Two sh*nks in one hole (10) is not good for a man’s soul. I feel for him and seriously hate seeing him look beat down by golf.

-I decide to walk back to the room on the 15th hole cause I am absolutely freezing and can’t feel my fingers.

-Datagolf is saying there’s a high likelihood the cut is +2. Adam’s at +3 so just needs a birdie coming in.

-Check the app and see he’s in the water twice on 16. Eff.

-Doubles 16 and it’s clear he’ll be missing the cut.

-When he gets home, Maddox and I give him our best group hug. We watch the Severance finale then go wonder around the sponge docks again in Tarpon Springs.

-I change my flight to go back to Kansas tomorrow morning and Adam will stay in Florida till he heads to Houston for the next event.

-Sucks to watch another rough go of golf for a guy that’s grinding so hard to get things straightened out on the course, but I know it’s coming.