Desert Livin' — Andrea Wong

For the past three weeks I was in Arizona. The Phoenix/ Scottsdale area is a golfer and snowbird's dream. (snowbird: a person who leaves their snowy home in the winter for a warmer place.) And for me the trip was nothing short of great! The golf was incredible and with the torrential rains the Bay Area has been getting it was definitely nice to get out of town and soak up some good weather.

During my time in Arizona I competed in two tournaments, played numerous beautiful new golf courses, met some great new friends and I had a blast exploring the city! Let me start by recapping the tournaments, since those were the main purpose of the trip.

My first event was a mini Cactus tour Tournament at Moon Valley Country Club in Phoenix. This was my first tournament in two month and boy did it feel great to be back on the course competing! It took a couple rounds to settle in, but with my dad on the bag and a closing round of 70 I finished in the top 10. You can click here for the f ull results .

Next on the schedule was the LPGA Monday qualifier at Longbow for the Bank of Hope Founders Cup. Monday qualifiers are one round and of a field of 84 players only the two top finishers get into the tournament for the week. In the Monday, I shot 2 under 70, which put me in the top 10 again, but a few short of making it. With the greens rolling true the course was scoreable, so 65 and 66 were the qualifying scores. click here for the leaderboard. Monday qualifiers are tough. On those days you really have to have your best and though I fell a little short, I had a great first LPGA Monday experience and learned a lot. I am definitely looking forward to my next opportunity. Special thank you to my caddy Steven for being on the bag. I had a blast spending the day with him and having him by my side was a huge asset!

During my extended stay, I only had four rounds of competition so I had a lot of extra time to not only play some new courses and practice, but see and explore Arizona! I always knew people flocked to Arizona for the nice weather in the winter, but I never really knew the other reasons until I experienced them for myself. Here's why---

The golf is amazing! Desert golf is really different then golfing in the Bay Area; instead of the tree lined fairways and high rough, you have huge cactuses and rocky desert, so it was fun to play a different style! The courses are pristine, the views are amazing and of course golfing in 85 degree weather is the best.

Outside golf, there are a ton of other activities in Arizona to enjoy - like Baseball Spring Training!

I went to the Giants vs. Indians game at the Indians/Reds Spring training facility in Goodyear, AZ! My college roommate's bother plays for the Indians and this is me and her family to the right at the game! It was a blast getting to spend time with them and watch Giants pull out a 6-5 win. I have yet to go to the Giant's home field, Scottsdale Stadium, in the heart of old town so that definitely on the list for next time!

Arizona is gorgeous and mountainous, which means tons of great hikes! I solo hiked one of the most popular mountains, Camelback! I took the echo trail up and it was awesome. Its pretty steep and rocky, but short so you can get to the breathtaking views up top quickly.

There are great restaurants and bars, my personal favorite was the The Buffalo Chip up north in Carefree! This super fun saloon and steakhouse not only had great food, but live country music, swing dancing and live bull riding (that anyone could do)! Don't worry, I didn't ride the bull. I resisted the urge, but rest assured I'll be back when my golf career is done to ride it for sure! It 100% will be documented.

The most special event of the whole trip though was getting to see my best friend, Vanessa! We lived together my junior year in college, but since graduation she got married and moved to Alabama with her husband so I hadn't seen her for 6 months. Her and Chason pictured below were on tour with Kari Jobe and Bryan and Katie Torwalt and happened to be doing a shows in Arizona the same time I was there! So crazy that of all places Phoenix was the place that we reunited. As a lover of quality time, it was the best getting to spend time with these two!

Thanks for treating me well Arizona. I can't wait for my next trip. Up next--> Hawaii!

Lots of love!

DRE