Reflections on my rookie season
In my rookie season on the Epson Tour, I traveled to play tournaments in California, Arizona, Hawaii, Utah, Kansas, Colorado, Florida, Michigan, Connecticut, New York and Oregon. By my calculations, I traveled more than 37,000 miles by airplane and many, many more by car. A good majority of these trips were spent alone or with my good friend and former teammate, Olivia Benzin. Over the year, I learned a lot about “tour life”. It can be a steep learning curve. Playing on the Epson Tour is more than just showing up for the tournament. Tour members, especially rookies, have other obligations like participating in pro-ams, community service, rules ride-alongs and mandatory workshops designed to help us with work-life balance.
Being on the road for several weeks at a time, traveling to new and unfamiliar places, managing jet lag, trying to eat well, and maintain a practice routine just adds to the fact that golf is already an incredibly difficult and mentally exhausting game. Now factor in the intense competition of 140 other golfers who are all fighting to make the cut, which is the only way they get paid. I definitely struggled with this, and put pressure on myself. I didn’t have much experience with cuts and I focused on them too much.
Each tournament I compete in begins with approximately 144 players. After two rounds, the field is cut to the top 60 players and ties, eliminating about 60% of the field. This means you must play consistently good golf, or you’re not making the cut. Not making the cut means you make no money. The amount of money you make each week also translates directly to your status for future tournaments, whether or not you have to go back to Qualifying School and which tour (if any) you can on play on the following year. It’s a brutal system and I put too much pressure on myself to make the cut, looking at the leaderboard when I should have ignored it and just played the best golf I could. As I reflect on my rookie year, that is one thing that stands out when I think about ways to prepare and get better for the coming season.
During the off season, I have worked hard on creating pressure drills, playing my local San Diego competition and getting my swing dialed in so that I can feel ready. I know that with more competition and practice, the cut lines will get less intimidating. I am determined that this year will be an easier adjustment with travel and lifestyle. I know that with lots of hard work and support, I will find success.
In 2024, I will be playing on the Women’s All Pro Tour which mainly hosts events in Texas, Louisiana and other southern states. I will also play in LPGA Monday Qualifiers, apply for sponsors exemptions into EPSON events and attempt to qualify for the US Women’s Open. My tentative schedule is posted now.
I am excited for this year and ready to get it started.
