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When a golfer makes the decision to stop climbing the mountain.

Zooky

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Boise pro golfer decides to move on: ‘My little voice wasn’t screaming anymore’

Boise pro golfer decides to move on: ‘My little voice wasn’t screaming anymore’

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I have decided to stop playing professional golf.

Unfortunately, I did not earn back LPGA Tour status at the Qualifying Series in November. Facing a step down to the Symetra Tour or a long string of Monday qualifiers, it was time to reevaluate.

After difficult and honest introspection, I don’t believe my game is where it needs to be to enjoy the life I want on the LPGA Tour. Through 25 LPGA events, my best weeks gave me middle-of-the-pack finishes; my average weeks were missing cuts. I feel both pride and dismay to be here: proud to have worked my way up to this vantage point, but discouraged to recognize the gap that remains between myself and the next tier of players. The next tier of competitors are contending on their best weeks and finishing in the middle of the pack on their average weeks. The harsh reality is that this is the only level on the women’s side of the game that allows one to make a comfortable living and retain some job security.




Couldn’t I continue to improve, though? Potentially. Many players don’t peak until their early 30s (if their financial and family decisions allow them to get that far). It’s not uncommon for a player to earn her first win after playing 100 events. Under the right guidance, there is still room for growth in my game. Yet, I am also acutely aware of my shortcomings. I know how wide the chasm looms between a few good weeks and enjoying a sustainable career. I also understand the reality of what’s necessary to make even one significant long-term improvement.


I have been climbing this mountain for a long time. I’ve spent my life assessing the next peak, plotting and preparing, falling off, getting back up. I’m incredibly proud of how far I have made it. But now, when I look up at the peak in front of me, I don’t feel like climbing anymore.

Frankly, I’ve never viewed myself as talented at golf. “Talent” to me suggests something you are born with, an ability that comes easily. I’ve had to work incredibly hard for every golf skill I’ve acquired. The one thing I believe I was born with, that does come as naturally as breathing, is grit. I’ve somehow always managed to rise to the occasion when my career demanded it because I’ve had an extra reserve of will — a little voice inside that has wanted to succeed at golf so badly it hurts. However, the last month leading up to Q-Series and the tournament itself felt different. I wanted to make it, yes. But when I sat alone with my thoughts, the fire wasn’t there. My little voice wasn’t screaming anymore.


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Roy Munson

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Women's game just doesn't pay enough to support the Symetra tour unless you're at the top of that tour on your way up.

The rest are dumping good money into travel for 2 days of golf.
 

Zooky

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Women's game just doesn't pay enough to support the Symetra tour unless you're at the top of that tour on your way up.

The rest are dumping good money into travel for 2 days of golf.

I was impressed with her decision. The life of a fringe tour player can be quite less than glamorous.
 

ATL96Steeler

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I was impressed with her decision. The life of a fringe tour player can be quite less than glamorous.

I find it hard to believe that all the young Korean girls were simply born with tour golf talent...so that piece of it I thought was BS. But I applaud her for realizing the fire was dimming and she could free herself up for the next phase of life.
 

Zooky

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I find it hard to believe that all the young Korean girls were simply born with tour golf talent...so that piece of it I thought was BS. But I applaud her for realizing the fire was dimming and she could free herself up for the next phase of life.


The point you have made is really a larger scale issue. Yes, the Asian gals outwork the crap out of the American gals. Day to day. Week to week. Year to year. Come rain or shine. She did not bring up the Asians specifically. I would like to have her perspective on that in deeper detail, but we won’t.

The truth probably lies in what is acceptable to some that might not be for others. The reasons are a whole other set of discussions.
 

ATL96Steeler

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The point you have made is really a larger scale issue. Yes, the Asian gals outwork the crap out of the American gals. Day to day. Week to week. Year to year. Come rain or shine. She did not bring up the Asians specifically. I would like to have her perspective on that in deeper detail, but we won’t.

The truth probably lies in what is acceptable to some that might not be for others. The reasons are a whole other set of discussions.

It's larger scale definitely and forces people to look at the elephant in the room....S. Koreans in particular when is comes to the LPGAT.

I've heard a snippet of the S. Korean perspective and it mostly lines up with my thinking. The early training is probably somewhat similar to an American LPGAT player, but the drive, determination and singular focus on golf is not. If you look at a successful American LPGAT player like Paula Creamer. Attractive girl, pretty good player, but it's very likely that she earns a lot more off the golf course than on it...after a few years on tour other factors come into play with relationships, marriage, etc.

I know Asian players get endorsements as well, but golf seems to be a much higher focus.
 

Zooky

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It's larger scale definitely and forces people to look at the elephant in the room....S. Koreans in particular when is comes to the LPGAT.

I've heard a snippet of the S. Korean perspective and it mostly lines up with my thinking. The early training is probably somewhat similar to an American LPGAT player, but the drive, determination and singular focus on golf is not. If you look at a successful American LPGAT player like Paula Creamer. Attractive girl, pretty good player, but it's very likely that she earns a lot more off the golf course than on it...after a few years on tour other factors come into play with relationships, marriage, etc.

I know Asian players get endorsements as well, but golf seems to be a much higher focus.


I would love to see ESPN do 2 hour documentary on this subject. Two hours because it is complicated subject that would require footage from Asia to understand the differences in cultures and what is behind the motivations of these young women.

Of course some glamour shots of Paula Creamer to understand how successful she is off the course is ok too. :)
 

ATL96Steeler

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I would love to see ESPN do 2 hour documentary on this subject. Two hours because it is complicated subject that would require footage from Asia to understand the differences in cultures and what is behind the motivations of these young women.

Of course some glamour shots of Paula Creamer to understand how successful she is off the course is ok too. :)

It might not get a lot of ratings but I agree, I'd like to see it as well, but some of it know is coming to a foreign country, language being a barrier for many, I think fewer distractions is a part of it.
 

redseat

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Just shows the vastly different cultures out there. To me it seems like it's only about getting a huge sponsorship endorsement for American women. Meanwhile in Asian women's culture it's actually about playing the game and earning respect with your play and not your short skirt (Paige Spirnac and co).
 

ATL96Steeler

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Just shows the vastly different cultures out there. To me it seems like it's only about getting a huge sponsorship endorsement for American women. Meanwhile in Asian women's culture it's actually about playing the game and earning respect with your play and not your short skirt (Paige Spirnac and co).

Some good points there...I think financial security is the ultimate goal for all pro players, but the Americanized Asian girls that played college golf here in the states I don't think they're as dedicated, particularly after they've had some success.

I look at Michelle Wie and once thought she would dominate the LPGA tour. Nike gave her a life time worth of cash before she was 15...to her credit, she went to Stanford and actually graduated, but has turned out to be basically just another player in between the ropes.
 

fknhippie

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Just shows the vastly different cultures out there. To me it seems like it's only about getting a huge sponsorship endorsement for American women. Meanwhile in Asian women's culture it's actually about playing the game and earning respect with your play and not your short skirt (Paige Spirnac and co).

To be honest, there's several Korean players I don't want to see in a short skirt.
 

redseat

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To be honest, there's several Korean players I don't want to see in a short skirt.

Oh that's so true...... A lot of them in fact!
 

redseat

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Some good points there...I think financial security is the ultimate goal for all pro players, but the Americanized Asian girls that played college golf here in the states I don't think they're as dedicated, particularly after they've had some success.

I look at Michelle Wie and once thought she would dominate the LPGA tour. Nike gave her a life time worth of cash before she was 15...to her credit, she went to Stanford and actually graduated, but has turned out to be basically just another player in between the ropes.

Between the sheets it's a whole new ball game however!! Bazinga!
 

ATL96Steeler

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Between the sheets it's a whole new ball game however!! Bazinga!

Let's not go there please....I have a weakness for tall women...seriously.

Just last Friday...at the bank, standing in line to deposit a check (yeah, we're old school, no direct deposit) and this 30something tall blond was behind me...maybe 5'9" wearing heels and clingy yoga pants. The bank mgr was waving people thru with straight deposit transactions so she was waved in front of the line...OMG, that ass!...look like maybe she played volleyball in college with that type bod.

That made my freakin day!
 

R.J. MacReady

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I find it hard to believe that all the young Korean girls were simply born with tour golf talent...so that piece of it I thought was BS. But I applaud her for realizing the fire was dimming and she could free herself up for the next phase of life.


Is that not the thing about golf that sets it apart?
It's such a leg up with other sports to be blessed with the right physique.

But in golf it won't make or break you.

In my eyes golf "Talent" is only decided on what you do after you are born.
Is it a coincidence that some of today's greats we see in old video's playing golf at 2 years old?

Tiger, Rory Phil ...etc.
 

R.J. MacReady

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Let's not go there please....I have a weakness for tall women...seriously.

Just last Friday...at the bank, standing in line to deposit a check (yeah, we're old school, no direct deposit) and this 30something tall blond was behind me...maybe 5'9" wearing heels and clingy yoga pants. The bank mgr was waving people thru with straight deposit transactions so she was waved in front of the line...OMG, that ass!...look like maybe she played volleyball in college with that type bod.

That made my freakin day!



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Ojb81

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nobody outworks the South Koreans. At anything. They are known for working themselves to the bone. If you're a South Korean professional in any trade/industry, and you're not working at least 65-70 hours per week, you're considered a loafer.
 

ATL96Steeler

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Is that not the thing about golf that sets it apart?
It's such a leg up with other sports to be blessed with the right physique.

But in golf it won't make or break you.

In my eyes golf "Talent" is only decided on what you do after you are born.
Is it a coincidence that some of today's greats we see in old video's playing golf at 2 years old?

Tiger, Rory Phil ...etc.

We're seeing some turnover on tour now and some familiar surnames...Tway comes to mind. I think DLIII's son will play tour golf as well. IMO, getting good instruction early and most importantly access to the game on a regular basis...that's the core that the Korean girls get...right physique? We've seen a chubby Asian with an unorthodox swing dominate, definitely won't make or break you.

I'm sure a lot of dad's put golf clubs in their kids hands at 2 and 3 yrs old after Tiger exploded...but there are only a few Tiger, Rory, Phil types out there....that's where talent truly is on display.
 
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