Confessions of a Tour Pro: Part 11

Mackenzie Hughes is a 23-year-old Canadian professional golfer who plays on the Web.com Tour. theScore is sponsoring Mackenzie, and he’ll be sharing his experiences through his bi-weekly tour diary “Confessions of a Tour Pro.”

This week marks the last stop on the regular Web.com Tour schedule. It's hard to believe it's already this point in the year, as it feels like just yesterday we were in Bogotá, Columbia for the first event of the season. There are so many things I look back on and really enjoy about this year. However, I've had my share of dark times, too.

I knew coming into this year that there would be new challenges. The schedule is longer and more demanding, the competition is that much stronger, and it's also much more expensive when you consider our demanding travel schedule. I've learned so many things this year that would change how I would do them next year. Not all these things are big changes, but just some little things to make life easier on the road. I'd know which airport to fly into, which restaurants are nearby, what the courses and holes are like each week, and that's just to name a few things. 

On top of that, I've learned that, even though this year has been tough, my game is good enough to compete at this level. I've played with lots of great players out here this year, and yes I have been impressed at times, but I know I can do the same things they are doing. My skills still compare with all the guys out here, it's just a matter of getting everything together at the right time and being just that little bit more consistent. 

For our finale, we are in Portland, Oregon at the Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club for the WinCo Foods Portland Open presented by Kraft. This is a championship golf course, as evidenced by the numerous major championships that have been held here. Most of you probably remember it because of Tiger Woods' US Amateur victory here in 1996.

Playing courses of this caliber really get me excited to play and compete. There's just something so satisfying about par being a good score. Out here on this tour, we don't get to say that very often.

I know that in order to make the playoffs or to keep my card, I need to have a pretty special week. But why not? I know I'm still good enough, I just need to find a little Tiger Woods magic out here at Pumpkin Ridge. 

Thanks for following along with my journey this season. I appreciate all the support.