It was an amazing week at the Allianz Championship

text size

Editor's note: Insurance agent Mike Podolak of Oxbow, N.D., qualified to play in the Allianz Championship. Podolak earned his spot in the tournament by qualifying for an exemption offered to the more than 100,000 insurance agents that offer Allianz products. In order to meet the agent qualification standards, Podolak had to satisfy three criteria: the agent must be over 50 years old, must have a scratch handicap or better and must shoot a one-round score of 1-under par or better at The Old Course at Broken Sound. Podolak shot a round of 1-under when he played The Old Course at Broken Sound in Dec. 2009.

Shot 3-over for the weekend ... made eight birdies, nine bogies and one double ... finished tied for 66th place ... earned a cool $1,955.

These are the stats that measure my performance in the 10th Allianz Championship. They tell the story of how I played The Old Course at Broken Sound for three rounds, but they don't begin to tell the story of my amazing week in Boca Raton, Fla.

From a golf perspective, I'm happy to say that I didn't embarrass myself and am proud of the way I played. Although I didn't break par, I didn't shoot higher than the plus four I found myself at after only six holes on Friday morning. After settling down on the back nine, I finished the first day strong and was able to follow that up with an under-par round of 71 on Saturday and a respectable 73 on Sunday.

Sure, my score didn't come close to the 17 under shot by winner Bernhard Langer, but he's among the best in the world. I mean -- did you SEE that chip-in at the playoff hole? Amazing.

But as I sit here reminiscing about the week, I find myself thinking more about all of the experiences off the course rather than on it.

I had dinner with Lee Trevino, Tom Lehman and John Harris, talking golf with the greats.

I did a bunch of interviews with radio stations and newspapers, which was a bit daunting, but fun nonetheless.

I had the support of my whole family for the week -- including my wife, Brenda, and daughters Kate and Laura -- and provided them with a fun vacation and the chance to have their own adventure swimming with the dolphins.

I even got to spend time with my brother, who served as my caddie for the first two rounds.

In that way, this experience was about a lot more than the 54 holes I played over the course of three days. It was about the wonderful memories my family and I will have when thinking about the tournament, and I want to thank Allianz Life for giving me the opportunity.

Well, to be honest, part of me is still thinking about that missed birdie putt on 16 on Sunday, but I'll get over it eventually.