Welcome to the Official Site of Professional Golfer Andrew Parr

I hope that you will take full advantage of everything offered in this site. My goal is to help you find the information you need to keep up with me while I'm playing in various golf tournaments. Enjoy the site, and I hope to see you at some of the upcoming events. - Andrew Parr

more...

July 14,2008
Oh so close
It’s been a couple of months but I got myself back into contention this past week in Edmonton on the Canadian Tour and it felt great! After a slow starting 71 the first round I shot a 67 the second day in blustery conditions to move myself from flirting with the cut line to into the top 10 after 2 days.  I knew I was playing well and I was due to have a great round, which came on Saturday when I made 9 birdies and shot 64 to move to 3rd place and only three back of the leaders.  The final round however couldn’t have started worse when I was 1 over early and the leader started out eagle, par, hole in one, birdie, birdie to go to 6 under through the first 5 holes and 9 shots ahead of me with 12 holes to play.  I quickly gathered myself and started making some birdies early on the back nine and moved myself within 2 shots with 4 holes to play.  On the last four holes I converted 1 of my 4 birdie putts but nearly missed putts on 15 and 16 with lip outs.  John Ellis who eventually won made a 30 foot birdie putt on the 16th hole that sealed the deal. I ended up finishing alone in 2nd place and moving up the Canadian Tour order of Merit list to 7th. It was probably the best I have hit the ball in four day tournament, where I hit 16, 17 and16 greens in regulation the last three rounds.  I putted well with great speed all week but a couple near misses obviously cost me.  I’m still very optimistic about my improvement and looking forward to this week’s stop in Winnipeg.

July 7th, 2008
I’ve just returned home after a 3 week road trip and back for a little rest and relaxation.  Last week I played in the Nationwide Tour’s Ford Wayne Gretzky Invitational. It was my first Nationwide Event this season and I was feeling confident and comfortable after spending some time with my Coach Dave Woods a few days before the event. This tournament was quite different from many others that I play. First of all it is a Pro-Am where I was partners with Nick Kipreos an ex NHL hockey player. We played with another pro who just happened to be my good friend Richard Scott and his partner Alan Thicke the actor in a best ball.  The tournament was also on two courses, Georgian Bay Club and the Raven at Lora Bay. Which were both beautiful and in perfect condition but required a little more preparation to try and get the ins and outs of them in one practice round. As for my play in the tournament I shot 74-65 and missed the cut by one.  The first day I couldn’t seem to get anything going and made two course management mistakes where I probably should have chipped out.  The second day was a very tidy 65 with 7 birdies and no bogeys, where I hit all 18 greens in regulation.  It was probably the best I have maybe ever hit my irons, very exciting and a lot of fun. I walk off the 18th green on Friday and thought I played well enough to make the cut since only 12 under was leading but one shot along the way cost me. After having this week off I will be heading to Edmonton for a couple events on the Canadian Tour next Monday. I wish everyone safe and happy holidays this week.

June 24, 2008

I just flew back from Vancouver from last week's Canadian Tour Event and now in Collingwood for the Wayne Gretzky Classic Nationwide Tour Event.  Last week I finished in a tie for 24th with rounds of 72-73-70-71.  I wasn't really on the whole week but seemed to scrape it around for 4 days.  I had a quick stop to see my Coach Dave Woods on my way up and made some great adjustments and feeling good going into this week.

June 3, 2008

US Open Qualifying
I was in Columbus yesterday in the sectional qualifying for next weeks US Open.  Things were looking promising after a first round 67, where I played extremely solid with very few mistakes.  Unfortunately the second round of the 36 hole qualifier wasn't as smooth, I struggled for a three hole stretch in the middle of the round. Although I birdied two of my last three my 71 wasn't enough as I missed by 2 strokes.  Obviously I'm disappointed, I lost focus for 2 shots over a ten hour period and it cost me.  I feel good about my game and really looking forward to the Canadian Tour event next week in Victoria BC which will be the first of a three week road trip.

Canadian Tour Feature

LONDON, Ont. – Andrew Parr didn’t sound exhausted. Despite just concluding the drive from Scottsdale, Ariz., to his home in London, Parr still had plenty of energy and time to discuss his life both on and off the course with the Canadian Tour.

“I have some time off and I had to bring my car back home so that’s why I drove,” said Parr of his cross-continent trek. “It’s a long drive but I enjoyed doing it. It gave me time to think and just enjoy the scenery before getting back to playing golf.”

Playing golf is something Andrew Parr has done since he was eight years old.

“My father was a member at an executive course. He brought me out one summer day and from that day on I would play golf all summer and then hockey in the winter. I went to a golf day camp every summer and took lessons.”

Tragically, Andrew Parr was 12 when his father, Dave, passed away. His mother married Robbie Nash a few years later and Parr grew close to his stepfather.

Continuing to show promise on the golf course, Parr came under the tutelage of noted teacher Dave Woods.

“Andrew was 16 when he came to see me,” says Woods. “What I noticed immediately is how hard he worked to get better. We would talk about ways to improve and he would just go out there and do it. Everyone seems to be looking for the one thing that it takes to get to the next level. It doesn’t work that way. We have a program we call 1.1. What it involves is getting a little better at a lot of things.

“Andrew is very focused about anything he does,” concluded Woods. "I can see him playing the PGA TOUR because he’ll do whatever it takes to become a better golfer.”

At 17, Parr captured the 2001 AJGA Eastern Canadian Championship, attracting the notice of American colleges.

“I wasn’t recruited all that much,” said Parr. “I visited Colorado and Texas A&M and immediately knew that A&M was where I wanted to be.”

“Andrew gave us a call and we invited him down,” remembers Texas A&M coach J.T. Higgins. “I had heard a bit about him after he won the Eastern Canadian title. I picked him up at the airport and within ten seconds I knew I wanted him on my team.”

Why was that?

“Well, for one thing, we didn’t have a very good team and I was desperate for players,” laughed Higgins, “but the main reason is how he carried himself. He looked and acted like a professional golfer even at that age. He came across as wise beyond his years and he would look you in the eye when he spoke to you. I was amazed at how mature he was. Even back then his days were structured and he was goal-oriented.”

“J.T. and I got along from the moment we met,” added Parr. “We were on the same wavelength and I like to think I was coachable.”

“He is coachable,” agreed Higgins. “When Andrew got here he was a raw talent. He hit it long but he was all over the place. One day he would hit everything left and the next day everything was going right. We worked on eliminating one side of the fairway and then the other. Andrew has a very strong work ethic and I credit his upbringing for that.

“Andrew’s influence changed a lot of people around here. In a lot of ways he built our program. His positive attitude and work ethic rubbed off on others. He led by example.” 

“I wanted to play for a warm-weather school and Texas A&M was the ideal fit,” Parr notes. “J.T. was rebuilding the team and from my freshman year I got to play all the time. I was out there competing against Anthony Kim, Casey Wittenberg, Ryan Moore and James Lepp on a regular basis. Playing against that kind of talent forces you to step up your game.”

Stepping up his game won him the Ontario Amateur in 2004 and 2006. One less than his step-grandfather, Jack Nash had won. Parr also represented Canada at the World Amateur, finished second at the Porter Cup and led Texas A&M to a sixth place NCAA ranking in his final year.

Turning professional, Parr joined the Canadian Tour at the 2007 Spring Q-School but like many young pros, the transition to the professional game proved difficult and he lost his card before regaining it in the fall.

"The first year was kind of weird. Coming out of college I had high expectations and expected to be on the Nationwide Tour right away and it didn’t work out that way," he explained. "Instead of making the most of where I was, I began to think too far ahead.

“I also learned to practice smarter, not longer. I used to be out there all day practicing and playing and you can burn yourself out.

“I know that I work more efficiently now. My practice sessions are shorter but more intense and productive."

Just when it looked like he was on a roll, however, Parr suffered a mysterious illness last fall that temporarily paralyzed the right side of his body.

“A lot of people speculated about what happened,” said Parr, who spent a week in the hospital. “The fact is, not even the doctors are quite sure if it was a mild stroke or something else.

“It was scary,” he acknowledged. “One moment you’re fine and then you're not. It does change your outlook on things. I’ve always been a calm person but the experience taught me not to fret over the little things like I used to.

“You also learn how important family and friends are when something like that happens. I’ve fully recovered and feel better than ever. In a lot of ways, it was the best thing that ever happened to me.”

Showing how complete his recovery was, Parr, with J.T. Higgins on the bag, Monday qualified for the Houston Open in April.

“I got to watch him close up and I saw how good he was,” said Higgins. “He was a very good player in college but now he’s even better. He’s going to make it on the PGA TOUR; I have no doubt about that. I’m proud of Andrew. He’s like a member of the family and is always welcome at my home.”

Fresh from his trip to the big tour, Parr headed to the Canadian Tour’s Spring International in California. Cruising along with a six stroke lead heading into the final nine, Parr bogeyed the last four holes to fall into a playoff with Spencer Levin who shot 30 on the back nine. At the first extra hole, Parr pushed his drive right and made bogey to lose the tournament.

“I was extremely disappointed,” he admits. “I should have won that tournament but you have to remember that Spencer did his job by making a few birdies coming in.

“Although I didn’t win, I know now that I can win tournaments at this level. I learned how competitive I could be. There will be other tournaments and other opportunities to win and I learned from it.”

Like every Canadian Tour pro, Parr’s objective is to play the PGA TOUR. “I want to win this year and get one of the top two spots on the Order of Merit. Achieving that gets me past the first stage of Q-School and that much closer to the PGA TOUR.”

Despite losing his father at a tender age and suffering a possible stroke last year, Parr, 25, has kept his focus. 

“Everyone has challenges,” he answered, when asked of the obstacles he’s overcome. “You just have to accept it and keep going.

“The support from family and friends throughout my life has been tremendous. My mother is the strongest person I have ever known and I give so much credit to her.

“I’m a better person because of what I’ve dealt with and I’m just happy to be healthy. I do my best to live in the moment. If I can do that, it makes life a lot easier.”

I am back home for a week of training after a frustrating week in Mexico. I am now preparing for the Monday qualifier for a Nationwide Tour event in Chicago next week. Just before I left for Mexico I stopped in Florida to do my local qualifying for the US Open which I successfully got through to the sectional. This will be held on June 2nd in Columbus Ohio.

 

Greetings, after being on the road for five weeks it is time for a brief break and training before I hit the road again. These past five weeks has been quite exciting but it definitely takes a toll on you after a while. All in all I am very pleased with the way things went. From playing in the Shell Houston Open to losing in a playoff in the first Canadian Tour event and being in contention the week after there are many positives to draw on. Even my most recent tournament to Mexico where I barely missed the cut was not too dissimilar to the previous weeks with the exception of a poor couple of days on the greens.

After Mexico I returned to Arizona, packed up the car and am now on my way back to Canada. I’m looking forward to going back to see friends and family that I haven’t seen in months. Also to be able to spend some time with my Coach Dave Woods and work on some things before the next set of tournaments begin. I will keep you posted on my upcoming events.

This past week on the Canadian Tour may have been the most solid I have played. After playing in the Shell Houston Open the week before I leaned what I needed to do to be more consistent round to round. I took those learning experiences to this past week and played low stress golf. I never fired at a pin if the scenario wasn't perfect. I stayed patient and executed with the opportunities I had. The result was four rounds under par and a tie for 1st which I later lost in a playoff. It was definitely my tournament and one that I should have won but there were so many great things that happened I don't want to dwell on what should have been. It was a great start to the Canadian Tour season and something I'm going to build on. I know exactly the reason why I have been playing so well the past month or so. I have be only in the moment and not concerned with the past or future. Fear and worry come from thinking about the past and future there is none in that moment. This has allowed me to get out of my way and let my instincts take over. This week I'll be in Stockton California for the next Canadian Tour event. You can get all the scores on the web at www.cantour.com.

Shell Wrap-up

This week had a little bit of everything. I played a practice round with Jon Mills and Ben Curtis on Tuesday. I played this course in college so the setting was very familiar. I had two great practice days Tuesday and Wednesday and was feeling good going into the tournament. I had the last tee time on Thursday on the 10th tee. The beginning of the round was a rollercoaster ride with bogeys and birdies seemingly every hole. I found it difficult to really get settled into it, and just ended up getting behind. The difference on the PGA Tour is the setup is that much more difficult and requires very precise shots especially into greens. It is also difficult if you’re behind like I was to stay patient. I guess that’s one of the main lessons I learned this week is when I am behind I can’t afford to fire at pins trying to force things. I tried to get it all back in a few holes instead of being patient. Although I was very discouraged Thursday night I knew I was playing well I wanted another shot. I knew I could take it deep with early morning conditions on Friday. From tee to green it was probably the most solid I have played all year. I missed only three greens. The final result of 70 was disappointing considering how well I was playing. All in all it was a very positive week. There is no way to simulate the PGA Tour atmosphere other then playing in it. That was my third Tour event and I feel that I have learned more about my game in those three events then any other events I have played in. I know what I need to work on to be more consistent when I get those opportunities. I am very optimistic about the direction my game is going and the things I have been working on are definitely getting better. This coming week I will be in California for the 1st event of the Canadian Tour schedule. You can get all the results at www.Cantour.com

Wow, it's been a crazy couple of weeks!! Last week after I lost in a playoff at the Nationwide in Louisiana I then drove to Houston to do the Wednesday Pre-Qualifier for the Shell Houston Open.  I then spent the next few days at Texas A&M seeing some old friends and sharpening up for the Monday Qualifier.  Then today I went out and shot 66 to get into this week's PGA Tour stop in Houston.  There were 105 five guys for 4 spots. My 66 ended up putting me in a tie for 2nd and a spot in tournament.  To say the least I'm very excited!!  This spring has been a work in progress and I could feel a few weeks ago things beginning to shift and come together.  I will keep you updated throughout the week,which I'm sure will be exciting..

Greetings, I hope I hope all is well. I had my first Nationwide qualifier Monday in Louisiana. It was probably one of the best rounds I played all year as a whole. I birdied two of my last four holes, including a fifteen footer on my last hole to shoot a bogey-free 68 in hard, fast, and windy conditions.

I ended up tying for third with seven other guys and had to have a playoff to decide which five of us would be playing in the tournament. After two playoff holes there were still six of us playing for the remaining four spots. On the third hole I had 180 yards to a back pin over water and anything long was dead. As the sun was just about set I hit what I thought was a pure seven iron that was going straight at the pin. It landed just short of the green and rolled back into the water as my heart dropped. I thought I hit the perfect shot.

I ended up playing it out of the water and saving my par, but it wasn't good enough, everyone else had made birdie and I was eliminated. It was beyond frustrating at the time, but I didn't make a bogey all day and everything in my game was well on track. One of the keys though was mentally I haven't been better all year and it was simple cue, stay in the moment and to not think. It sounds simple but very hard to do. I got into the habit of having too many swing thoughts, and by too many I mean more then one. So when I was over the ball I didn't think of anything but just reacted.

After the qualifier I headed to Houston for Wednesday pre-qualifier for the Shell Houston Open. I ended up getting through for next Monday's qualifier. I will let you know of the results on Monday.

This week I had the pleasure of joining the eight men Ontario Junior Team in South Carolina as they prepare for their matches against the South Carolina squad. All the juniors are between the ages of 14 to 18 and considered the best in the province. This was a team that I was part of when I was a junior. It was a great opportunity for me to be able to spend some time with guys and be able to play, practice, give some insight as well as learn from them. Dave Woods, who is my coach, also coaches the team so it was an excellent week for me to sharpen my game under his supervision. All in all it was a very productive week and I’m glad I went down there.

From South Carolina I will be heading to Puerto Rico for the Monday Qualifier for the PGA Tour’s Puerto Rico Open. Being on the east coast, it is an excellent opportunity to try and qualify for a PGA Tour Event. The main portion of my season is right around the corner and I feel piece by piece things are coming together nicely.

Over the last couple of weeks I have been able to use the new Titleist ZM forged irons and simply love them. Although similar to my old irons I feel that the mid to long irons are so solid in this new set and I am already very comfortable with them in the bag. I will keep you posted on the results of the Qualifier this coming week.

My visit to Titleist just over a week ago ended up being very productive. They have some of the most high-tech analysis for the swing and putting and we were able to detect some things that only that equipment can. And as I said in my last posting that most swing flaws can be solved in the setup. So there were only some minor adjustments in my setup that will help me be a little more consistent and efficient.

This is positive feedback to receive just to know that I am on the right track and I don't have to change my swing but simply monitor my fundamentals. My physical evaluation went well and as with everything else in golf there is always room for improvement. They liked my training program so they just modified it a little. While I was there I also got to try the new equipment coming out. There are a family of new irons coming out that I think I will definitely benefit from. I haven't switched in over 4 years but these are very similar to what I have been using. The solidness of the contact and my launch conditions and spin rate are better with the new ones. Especially in windy conditions they will help control my trajectory which is the key to golf.

As far as my schedule, I just got back from Mexico where I was trying to qualify for the PGA Tour event this week. It was the first time all year where all the things I have been working on came naturally. I was playing very well in extremely windy conditions but had two bad swing on the back nine that took me out of it. It was also the first time all year that I putted well, so that's encouraging considering I have definitely been working on that part of my game as always. As for what's next, I will play the remaining two events on the Winter Gateway Tour series and then I will be doing some Monday qualifiers for the Nationwide and PGA tour before the Canadian Tour begins in April.

My first pro season was a lot of fun; I played many different tours in Canada and the US. I learned a lot in my first year, from traveling, to course management, playing in front of thousands of people, playing in the lead, to scoring well when you are not playing well. For obvious reasons I feel more prepared going into next season.

I felt that my season was a successful one, and in any career there are ups and downs but I feel that I have the ability to rebound from the down times. I won my first pro event, I played in two PGA Tour events in which I shot 66 at the Canadian Open. I got my Canadian Tour card twice and probably the most successful event was playing last week in Q-school, although I didn’t get through I know I will be back better and stronger then ever.

I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their support, from my sponsors to my friends and family. You have no idea how much it helps to have great people surrounding your career like I do. I am very fortunate. As for next year I can’t wait to get started again. It looks like I will be playing the Canadian Tour the majority of the time and hopefully play in a couple more PGA Tour events. I will continue to keep you posted with an updated schedule and I will have a website starting up within the next month or so. Take care, all the best!

Andrew

Home | Andrew Parr Bio | Tournament Schedule and Results | What's in the Bag | Team Parr | Photo Gallery | Sponsors | Sitemap | Contact Andrew