HARD FACTS OF TOUR PRO LIFE
HARD-UP SUSIE RETURNS FROM U S
TO PLAY IN LADIES’ EURO Q SCHOOL
When former Scotland amateur international team player Susie Laing turned professional in the United States – where she spent four years at the University of San Francisco, the 24-year-old Troon exile probably had dreams of following in the footsteps of Catriona Matthew, winner of more than $3.5million since she joined the LPGA Tour in 1995.
But Susie’s hand-to-mouth existence in her rookie season has brought her back to reality with a bump.
Her only income has been $3,000 on a mini-tour on America’s West Coast and Miss Laing twice failed to survive LPGA Qualifying School regional eliminators over the past couple of months.
She has made a flying visit to Europe this week in a bid to get through the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School in Italy, starting with a pre-qualifier on Thursday and Friday before the main event starts on Sunday.
"You could say I have had a horrible end to my season. This year was a learning experience. I went back to the US and struggled to find any money to support me so, basically, I have lived off maxing credit cards and paying rent from what little winnings I’ve had … not quite the glamour life," said Susie.
"However, I have learned from it and am going to spend the next few months really investigating sponsors and trying to get my game on line.
"Vikki Laing and I are great friends. She lives 20 minutes from me in San Francisco and I am trying to get practice facilities at the same club as her so we can practise together.
"We are both strapped for cash and Vikki was just saying recently that sometimes she can only get about a few times a week to practise as she has no transport
"I am in the same boat, which is hard but with perseverance, I know we will both make it. It is funny but as the saying goes, Money makes money.
"Apart from my financial struggles to make ends meet, life in general for me in California is good. I am really enjoying San Francisco and have a great group of supporters there."
TO PLAY IN LADIES’ EURO Q SCHOOL
When former Scotland amateur international team player Susie Laing turned professional in the United States – where she spent four years at the University of San Francisco, the 24-year-old Troon exile probably had dreams of following in the footsteps of Catriona Matthew, winner of more than $3.5million since she joined the LPGA Tour in 1995.
But Susie’s hand-to-mouth existence in her rookie season has brought her back to reality with a bump.
Her only income has been $3,000 on a mini-tour on America’s West Coast and Miss Laing twice failed to survive LPGA Qualifying School regional eliminators over the past couple of months.
She has made a flying visit to Europe this week in a bid to get through the Ladies European Tour Qualifying School in Italy, starting with a pre-qualifier on Thursday and Friday before the main event starts on Sunday.
"You could say I have had a horrible end to my season. This year was a learning experience. I went back to the US and struggled to find any money to support me so, basically, I have lived off maxing credit cards and paying rent from what little winnings I’ve had … not quite the glamour life," said Susie.
"However, I have learned from it and am going to spend the next few months really investigating sponsors and trying to get my game on line.
"Vikki Laing and I are great friends. She lives 20 minutes from me in San Francisco and I am trying to get practice facilities at the same club as her so we can practise together.
"We are both strapped for cash and Vikki was just saying recently that sometimes she can only get about a few times a week to practise as she has no transport
"I am in the same boat, which is hard but with perseverance, I know we will both make it. It is funny but as the saying goes, Money makes money.
"Apart from my financial struggles to make ends meet, life in general for me in California is good. I am really enjoying San Francisco and have a great group of supporters there."
posted by Colin |
See story on its own page | 7:07:00 pm
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