Hansen sets sights on big year

Before Matt Hansen strikes his first tee shot, he already knows 2009 will be unforgettable.

He also knows he won't be on the tournament trail the last week in May. He's got another scheduled appearance -- at the altar.

Hansen, Atwater's connection to the Nationwide Tour, will marry Megan Dillon on May 30 at Stevinson Ranch. Dillon works there. Hansen once shot 59 there.

A match made in golf heaven.

In less romantic news, Hansen prepares for more work on the Nationwide, his place of employment since his single year on the PGA Tour (2006). The former University of the Pacific star bounced through an up-and-down 2008, capped by an unceremonious finish.

He awoke on the morning of the first round of Stage II of the PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament and already was off to a bad start -- he couldn't turn his head to the right.

"I tried to loosen it up on the range and I was hitting balls about 10 feet off the ground. I had to withdraw," Hansen said. "There was no structural damage. I just slept on it wrong."

It marked the second consecutive year an injury cost him at Q-School. In 2007, he barely made it through the Q-School Finals despite sore ribs. At this point, Hansen gladly will accept one painless year.

He's practicing again after a month off -- his neck has healed -- and continues his swing-honing with Pebble Beach's Laird Small. His 2008 proved to be a frustrating tease -- disappointment mixed with promise.

For starters, there were his four Nationwide top-10 finishes, his personal best. One of those finishes, however, was bittersweet.

He needed only a birdie on the par-5 72nd hole to win the Henrico County (Va.) Open in April. After a good drive, he stood 219 yards from the hole and 198 yards to clear a pond in front of the green. Both he and Golf Channel announcers believed his 3-iron shot easily cleared the water -- until his ball disappeared into the hazard.

"I should be able to hit a 3-iron 198 yards. I still thought my process was good before and during that shot," Hansen said. "I learned from it. In many ways, it doesn't come down to the last shot, even though the record says it does. I grew that day by doing some other things. I made a 12-foot putt for par on the 13th that day that showed me I have what it takes."

Hansen, 28, finished the season with a tie for sixth that upgraded him from 85th to 67th on the Nationwide money list (he was 112th in 2007). Not only did it allow him to leapfrog Stage I of Q-School, it also earned conditional status for next year.

A rule change allows Hansen to be grouped together with the Nationwide pros who placed between 26th and 75th at the Q-School Finals. That means he should enter at least 20 events next year.

Hansen noted improvement in his putting and short game, despite what he called the worst ball-striking year of his career. He was ranked 71st in greens in regulation, 107th in putting average and 82nd in all-around.

"If I get my ball-striking in line, that will get me right back where I need to be," he said. "I felt I had the best year of my career even though I didn't hit the ball well. I felt overall that was a positive."

PACKAGES -- Saddle Creek in Copperopolis and Greenhorn Creek in Angels Camp, only a 20-minute drive apart, have cross-marketed to offer an attractive "Play The Creeks" package. The deal is a good one: Two days of unlimited golf, including two breakfasts, cart and range balls, and lodging. The cost can be as low as $99 per person mid-week based on four-person occupancy, and $163 for the weekend. Saddle Creek will add a day of golf to the bargain if you stay there an extra day. "It's two great golf courses. It just makes sense to work together," said Bill Troyanoski, Saddle Creek general manager. Call Saddle Creek, (800) 611-7722, or Greenhorn Creek, (888) 736-5900.

Another attractive option is Stevinson Ranch's annual trip to the three famed layouts at Bandon Dunes, Ore., Feb. 17-20. Golf at all three courses, plus five meals and lodging will cost $675 per player, to be paid no later than Jan. 15. Call 664-6450.

SPRING INTERNATIONAL -- The United Way Spring International, the Canadian Tour's third stop at Del Rio Country Club in the last five years, will be held April 2-5. Promoter Adam Parks says United Way officials already are selling raffle tickets, priced at $20 apiece, for a cash prize of $5,000. "If we sell 15,000, we won't charge admission at the tournament," Parks said. For tickets, call 523-4618. For more information on the tournament, call Parks, 598-2555.

HOLES-IN-ONE -- Lance Warner, Modesto, 183-yard ninth at Dryden Park, 4-iron. ...Ben Brocco, Modesto, 130-yard eighth at Manteca Park, 9-iron.

Bee sports columnist Ron Agostini can be reached at ragostini@modbee.com or 578-2302.