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Dustin Risdon, Winner of the 2008 ATB Financial Classic

Dustin Risdon of Strathmore, Alberta is enjoying a tremendous rookie season on the Nationwide Tour. Dustin made the cut in 5 of his first 6 events on the TOUR, including one Top 10 and one Top 25 finish. He currently ranks in the Top 25 Money Leaders on the Nationwide Tour.

Dustin will periodically write about his experiences as a professional golfer. Check back often to read about what Dustin has been up to.

May 2009

In my last blog, I was heading to Louisiana.

Presently, I am still working with Dan Schlimm, who has caddied on the Nationwide Tour and the PGA Tour for the past 15 years. We began working together at the California event and have worked together for 3 tournaments now. At the Stonebrae Classic in San Francisco, I set a course record by shooting a 62 in the 3rd round! My third round score helped me finish 15th, my second best finish of the 2009 season.

From California, I traveled to Georgia for consecutive tournaments. After the event in Athens, Georgia, I returned back to New Mexico. Up next is the BMW Charity Pro-Am in South Carolina. Dan and I are arriving earlier than we would for a normal tournament event because this event is run differently. We are playing on 3 different courses and we want to make sure we have the opportunity to practice on each course before tournament play.

I also would like to note that on May 4th I visited with the ATB Investor Services team up in Strathmore at the site of the ATB Financial Classic, where I am the defending champion. We had a great day on the course and shot some great footage that I am sure you will all enjoy! Thank you again for all your continued support as I continue my 2009 rookie season on the Nationwide Tour.

With kindest regards,

Dustin Risdon
Nationwide Tour Professional

April 2009

Winning the 2008 ATB Financial Classic led to my strong performance in Qualifying School where I earned my status on the 2009 Nationwide Tour. Last year’s experience has given me a strong start in 2009.

In the 2009 Nationwide Tour opener in Panama, I finished T-10 and made the cut for my Nationwide Tour debut. In the second tournament of the season in Australia (the Moonah Classic), I made the cut and finished T-37. The next two tournaments were held in New Zealand. In the first one, I made my third cut in a row but then missed my first cut as a Nationwide Tour member in the second one. 

So far I have travelled to three countries that I have never visited before. The experience has been rewarding and I believe that playing golf in different countries can only advance my play as a TOUR player. I am learning that in the game of golf, time management is extremely important. I balance pro-ams, practice, tournament play, travelling, and even a bit of rest during my time off the golf course. I feel that being organized prepares my body and my mind for playing winning golf.

Recently, I have played with some very talented players, legends who have competed in and won on the PGA TOUR. I acknowledge who these players are and who they have become and I hope that I can use the experience of playing with these distinguished golfers to help me play better. In Panama, I played with Keith Clearwater (Winner of two PGA TOUR events) for the first two rounds. After the second round, I sat down and had lunch with Keith. When I sat down with him, my first thought was what kind of questions I could ask him to help me improve as a professional golfer. Instead, he surprised me by asking me questions about my golf game. This was his way of helping me to play my best. He combined my experiences with his experiences to help me prepare for playing golf at the highest level for my ability.

I have learned that caddies are very important to a TOUR professional. During the third stage of Q-school, I had an experienced veteran caddy. He travelled with me to Panama and was on my bag as a favor. After that, I was referred to a young caddy who had caddied on the Nationwide Tour last year. I worked with this caddie for the Australia and New Zealand swing and discovered that it was better to have an experienced caddy on my bag. Presently, I have a unique offer from a caddy who has worked on the Nationwide Tour and the PGA TOUR for the past 15 years. We will begin working together at the California event, which takes place immediately after the Louisiana event. This caddy worked with me during the second stage of Q-school as a favor for a player/friend who played on the Nationwide Tour last year, finished in the top 25, and advanced to the PGA TOUR this year. Playing on the TOUR has taught me that respect comes from both sides. To reach the highest level in professional golf, I must respect my caddy and he must respect me.

I am trying to stay focused and confident. In the fourth tournament of the year in New Zealand, I felt as though my confidence was a little down so I went back out on the second round and tried to turn my confidence around. Although I failed to make the cut, I did get my confidence back.

Next, I will travel to Louisiana for the Chitimacha Louisiana Open. My attitude entering this tournament is to continue to play winning golf.

Thank you ATB Investor Services for providing me with the opportunity to achieve my DREAM!

With kindest regards,

Dustin Risdon
Nationwide Tour Professional

To learn more about Dustin and his success on the Nationwide Tour, visit www.dustinrisdon.com.