LPGA Q-School misfortune lucky for Smith
IN: News | LPGA | LPGA Q-School (California) - Stage One (2008) | Preview | by Liz White | 13 Sep 2008
How would you feel missing your LPGA tour card by just two shots? Devastated right?
Not if you’re Kristie Smith.
Despite losing out by such a narrow margin at last year’s Q school, the young West Australian says she wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I think it is the best thing that happened to me because I have had such an outstanding year which raised my profile not just to the public but to the sponsors as well,” she said.
In a weird sort of way it certainly was a lucky break for the 20-year-old.
She was able to bounce back strongly from the disappointment, finishing the leading amateur after the Australian Open, the ANZ Ladies Masters and the NSW Open.
She also captured the nation’s biggest amateur prize, the Australian Amateur in April and after solid performances across the country finished runner-up in the inaugural Karrie Webb points series.
With the $10,000 winnings in her back pocket, Smith headed over to the United States with the Webb series winner Stephanie Na, as guests of Karrie Webb while she prepared for the US Open in Minnesota.
The priceless experience paid immediate dividends when Smith went on to capture one of the world’s most prestigious amateur tournaments, the North and South, at Pinehurst No 2 course. After her stunning 8 & 7 win over Chelsea Curtis Smith decided it was time to turn professional.
Although she received an invitation to play in Annika Sorenstam’s Scandinavian Open in August, Smith’s short life as pro is about to undergo its first real test.
This week in Palm Springs California, the West Australian will have a second tilt at an LPGA card, and she admits to feeling the pressure.
“Going in this year I am feeling a little bit stressed out and I have been trying to keep it all in perspective as there is a bit more expectation this year,” she said.
“I have been working on a few things to get the feel happening so I am looking forward to going back as there are some good memories there from last year.”
Smith surprised herself by making it through the first stage of qualifying at Palm Springs last year. In December she went to Florida for the final stage and came up short by just two shots.
While she is determined to be successful again this year, unusually Smith won’t be joined by too many other Australians at the Palm Springs sectional qualifier.
Only Sydney’s Sunny Park and the current number two-ranked Australian amateur Claire Choi are making the trek to California.
Nikki Garret has decided not to attend while Helen Oh had planned to return this year but is currently in hospital receiving radiation treatment to the cancer in her right gluteus muscle.
Other Aussies currently on the LPGA tour, Wendy Doolan, Sarah Kemp, Anna Rawson and Michelle Ellis will need to secure some big wins for the rest of the LPGA season if they are to retain their cards.
All four are sitting outside the magical top 80 which would guarantee them a card for 2009.
At the Palm Springs sectional qualifier the top 30 and ties will make it through to the final stage of qualifying at Daytona Beach, Florida in December.
Making it through to Daytona is something Smith is determined to do and she is leaving nothing to chance. Hours have been spent on the practice range with coach Ian Triggs and there have also been visits to a sports psychologist.
“Everyone says why don’t you talk to your Dad about it but you know there are things that I just don’t like to talk to Dad about sometimes,” she said.
“It is nice to open up to a psychologist who can actually help me and sort of train my brain to think the right way on the golf course.
“The head if anything has actually gone down hill because I have been playing so good, I expect more from myself and then I am fighting my head.”
Assisted by her Dad, former pro Wayne, Kristie has mapped out a plan for 2009. And it helps to have friends.
“I am going to go over and live with Ian Baker Finch for a little while and see how I like Florida because we are looking at basing me over in Florida,” she said.
Smith will also attempt to gain a playing card for the second tier LPGA Tour, the Duramed Futures as a back up plan. If that doesn’t work out, The Ladies European Tour is another possibility.
With such meticulous planning mixed in with talent and intensive solid preparation it wouldn’t surprise to see the name Kristie Smith on the LPGA tour next year.
