SWEET-SWINGING VIKKI LAING WILL
GET TO THE LEVEL WHERE SHE
BELONGS, SOONER OR LATER
By LISA D MICKEY
US Duramed Futures Tour staff writer
Futures Tour winner Jenny Gleason recently sat at the same scoring table with two other players and when one of the two rose quietly and walked away, Gleason's eyes grew wide. "Who is that girl?" said Gleason to no one in particular. "Man, she's got a great golf swing!"
To answer Gleason, that player is Vikki Laing (pictured right) of Musselburgh, Scotland - a former Curtis Cup team member for Great Britain & Ireland, a four-time Scottish girls' amateur champion and the 2003 Pac-10 champion as a member of the University of California-Berkeley women's golf team.
And yes, the general consensus on the Duramed Futures Tour is that this soft-spoken Scot is a future star. They've known that in Europe for many years. They're just starting to figure it out Stateside.
"Vikki was a top-ranked amateur who always sort of flew under the radar," said Becky Lucidi of Poway, Calif., who played at the University of Southern California while Laing was at Cal. "She's an awesome ball striker and she can play in any type of weather. In bad weather, Cal always ended up on top and she was a big contributor to that."
In the Motherland of Golf, nature doles out its share of surprises. Laing, 26, grew up in a town that was a six-minute train ride from Edinburgh. And like most competitive amateurs, she travelled throughout Scotland playing for medals and cups at such places as St. Andrews' Old and New courses, Royal Troon and Royal Dornoch.
To answer Gleason, that player is Vikki Laing (pictured right) of Musselburgh, Scotland - a former Curtis Cup team member for Great Britain & Ireland, a four-time Scottish girls' amateur champion and the 2003 Pac-10 champion as a member of the University of California-Berkeley women's golf team.
And yes, the general consensus on the Duramed Futures Tour is that this soft-spoken Scot is a future star. They've known that in Europe for many years. They're just starting to figure it out Stateside.
"Vikki was a top-ranked amateur who always sort of flew under the radar," said Becky Lucidi of Poway, Calif., who played at the University of Southern California while Laing was at Cal. "She's an awesome ball striker and she can play in any type of weather. In bad weather, Cal always ended up on top and she was a big contributor to that."
In the Motherland of Golf, nature doles out its share of surprises. Laing, 26, grew up in a town that was a six-minute train ride from Edinburgh. And like most competitive amateurs, she travelled throughout Scotland playing for medals and cups at such places as St. Andrews' Old and New courses, Royal Troon and Royal Dornoch.
HITTING UNDER THE WIND
"I didn't really know how lucky I was or that these are considered some of the best courses in the world until I came over here," said Laing. "But that's where I learned to play a lot of shots in the wind and the rain - you know, play your 5-iron shots that go only five inches above the ground and do whatever it takes to get the ball in the hole."
Laing remembers playing a 36-hole event at St. Andrews when she was 15 that was freezing cold and in a downpour. All of the contestants "just putted out" to speed up play and during the round, Laing was forced to change her grip to a baseball grip because her fingers were too cold to interlock.
"I remember I was so cold that when I finally went inside, I had to wait for somebody I knew to come in and unbutton my buttons for me because my fingers wouldn't work," she said.
At 15, she decided she wanted to become a playing pro. She had met Scottish LPGA Tour player Kathryn Imrie (formerly Kathryn Marshall) at a clinic in Scotland and she would "keep an eye on" the LPGA's Catriona Matthew as she practised at a nearby course. In Scottish championships, Laing knew about a couple of amateurs - Janice Moodie and Mhairi McKay - who were a few years older. They both headed to California to play college golf.
And so did Laing. She wanted to be able to play year-round and still feel her fingers and she wanted to earn her college degree while playing golf. When fellow Scot Anne Walker joined the Cal women's team two years earlier, Laing followed.
"I didn't even see the campus first - I just went," said Laing. "I was 18 and excited to be going somewhere, but on the plane, it suddenly occurred to me: I don't even know how to pay rent. Am I going to be OK?"
With a traditional Scottish brogue that sometimes left Americans dumbfounded, Laing was pretty quiet when she first arrived in California because others didn't always understand what she was saying. But everything was OK when she was on the golf course. That is, until she encountered American agronomy. It was Laing's freshman year at Cal and her classic golf swing was quickly becoming her signature. There was just one problem.
"I didn't really know how lucky I was or that these are considered some of the best courses in the world until I came over here," said Laing. "But that's where I learned to play a lot of shots in the wind and the rain - you know, play your 5-iron shots that go only five inches above the ground and do whatever it takes to get the ball in the hole."
Laing remembers playing a 36-hole event at St. Andrews when she was 15 that was freezing cold and in a downpour. All of the contestants "just putted out" to speed up play and during the round, Laing was forced to change her grip to a baseball grip because her fingers were too cold to interlock.
"I remember I was so cold that when I finally went inside, I had to wait for somebody I knew to come in and unbutton my buttons for me because my fingers wouldn't work," she said.
At 15, she decided she wanted to become a playing pro. She had met Scottish LPGA Tour player Kathryn Imrie (formerly Kathryn Marshall) at a clinic in Scotland and she would "keep an eye on" the LPGA's Catriona Matthew as she practised at a nearby course. In Scottish championships, Laing knew about a couple of amateurs - Janice Moodie and Mhairi McKay - who were a few years older. They both headed to California to play college golf.
And so did Laing. She wanted to be able to play year-round and still feel her fingers and she wanted to earn her college degree while playing golf. When fellow Scot Anne Walker joined the Cal women's team two years earlier, Laing followed.
"I didn't even see the campus first - I just went," said Laing. "I was 18 and excited to be going somewhere, but on the plane, it suddenly occurred to me: I don't even know how to pay rent. Am I going to be OK?"
With a traditional Scottish brogue that sometimes left Americans dumbfounded, Laing was pretty quiet when she first arrived in California because others didn't always understand what she was saying. But everything was OK when she was on the golf course. That is, until she encountered American agronomy. It was Laing's freshman year at Cal and her classic golf swing was quickly becoming her signature. There was just one problem.
INTRODUCTION TO FAST GREENS
"I had never played on greens that fast in my life and I had 45 putts and shot a 91 in my first match and first tournament," said Laing. "I said, 'Oh my God, they're going to send me home!'"
But she eventually got the hang of the greens' speed and trimmed her scoring that tournament from 91 to 78 to 73. That introduction to slick American greens would become Laing's biggest challenge throughout her college career and into the start of her professional life.
"Fortunately, I enjoy the challenge of learning new shots," she said. "With putting, I just want to get less technical."
Laing helped Cal advance into the NCAA Division I Women's Golf Championship for the first time in 2003. And when the Golden Bears arrived for nationals, they redefined how a golf team should look.
"They all could double as cross-country runners," said fellow Tour member Mo Martin of Altadena, Calif., who played for UCLA.
"I think they must have had a mini-boot camp at Cal because their team was the most well-conditioned team in the country," added USC's Lucidi. "Our team would be at Outback eating Bloomin' Onions and their team would be running laps around Outback."
But what everybody noticed was Laing's legendary ball-striking ability and, according to Lucidi, her "respect for the game."
“Vikki was one of those imported good ones with a great swing," said Tour member Salimah Mussani of Burlington, Ontario, who played for rival Stanford University. "She was a very solid college player."
"I think she had the best golf swing in college golf and coming from the Pac-10, that's pretty strong," added Mo Martin. "But she had a heckuva work ethic and was very humble."
Laing certainly learned about being humbled when she earned low conditional status on the LPGA Tour in 2004. She played in seven tournaments and never really got going. Monday qualifiers, she soon learned, were a tough way to get into LPGA events.
"I had never played on greens that fast in my life and I had 45 putts and shot a 91 in my first match and first tournament," said Laing. "I said, 'Oh my God, they're going to send me home!'"
But she eventually got the hang of the greens' speed and trimmed her scoring that tournament from 91 to 78 to 73. That introduction to slick American greens would become Laing's biggest challenge throughout her college career and into the start of her professional life.
"Fortunately, I enjoy the challenge of learning new shots," she said. "With putting, I just want to get less technical."
Laing helped Cal advance into the NCAA Division I Women's Golf Championship for the first time in 2003. And when the Golden Bears arrived for nationals, they redefined how a golf team should look.
"They all could double as cross-country runners," said fellow Tour member Mo Martin of Altadena, Calif., who played for UCLA.
"I think they must have had a mini-boot camp at Cal because their team was the most well-conditioned team in the country," added USC's Lucidi. "Our team would be at Outback eating Bloomin' Onions and their team would be running laps around Outback."
But what everybody noticed was Laing's legendary ball-striking ability and, according to Lucidi, her "respect for the game."
“Vikki was one of those imported good ones with a great swing," said Tour member Salimah Mussani of Burlington, Ontario, who played for rival Stanford University. "She was a very solid college player."
"I think she had the best golf swing in college golf and coming from the Pac-10, that's pretty strong," added Mo Martin. "But she had a heckuva work ethic and was very humble."
Laing certainly learned about being humbled when she earned low conditional status on the LPGA Tour in 2004. She played in seven tournaments and never really got going. Monday qualifiers, she soon learned, were a tough way to get into LPGA events.
A LOT OF WAITING, MONEY-WASTING
"I did a lot of waiting and a lot of money-wasting with a little bit of golf that year," she said.
Laing went back to LPGA Q-School in the autumn of 2004 and missed getting her full card by one shot -- again earning conditional LPGA playing status in 2005. Three times, she travelled to LPGA Tour events and waited as the first alternate, and three times, she didn't get into the tournament.
Vikki played in eight LPGA tournaments in 2005, and grew increasingly frustrated when she lost her LPGA status for 2006.
"Not being able to prepare or to be prepared just drove me crazy," she said. "I did get to go out there and see what it's all about on the LPGA Tour. It's still just golf. The game never changes, but all of the drama and pressure comes from yourself."
A little lost without LPGA status, Laing stayed in California in 2006, working on her game and trying to figure out her next move. She added 10 tournaments on the Duramed FUTURES Tour to her playing schedule. And she wrestled with what her future held.
"I think she has been frustrated, but at the same time, she realizes that her first few years are nothing when you consider that golf is her career," said former team-mate and fellow-Scot Anne Walker, now an assistant women's golf coach at Cal.
"She made a definitive decision this past winter that golf was her focus and nothing would get in the way of that."
So Vikki showed up on the Duramed Futures Tour in 2007 with a new purpose. The idea was to regain momentum and to give herself chances to win and move up the money list. If her strategy was successful enough, she could potentially move into the top five to automatically earn an exempt LPGA Tour card for 2008. But most importantly, she saw it as the place where she could measure herself against other and improve.
"I did a lot of waiting and a lot of money-wasting with a little bit of golf that year," she said.
Laing went back to LPGA Q-School in the autumn of 2004 and missed getting her full card by one shot -- again earning conditional LPGA playing status in 2005. Three times, she travelled to LPGA Tour events and waited as the first alternate, and three times, she didn't get into the tournament.
Vikki played in eight LPGA tournaments in 2005, and grew increasingly frustrated when she lost her LPGA status for 2006.
"Not being able to prepare or to be prepared just drove me crazy," she said. "I did get to go out there and see what it's all about on the LPGA Tour. It's still just golf. The game never changes, but all of the drama and pressure comes from yourself."
A little lost without LPGA status, Laing stayed in California in 2006, working on her game and trying to figure out her next move. She added 10 tournaments on the Duramed FUTURES Tour to her playing schedule. And she wrestled with what her future held.
"I think she has been frustrated, but at the same time, she realizes that her first few years are nothing when you consider that golf is her career," said former team-mate and fellow-Scot Anne Walker, now an assistant women's golf coach at Cal.
"She made a definitive decision this past winter that golf was her focus and nothing would get in the way of that."
So Vikki showed up on the Duramed Futures Tour in 2007 with a new purpose. The idea was to regain momentum and to give herself chances to win and move up the money list. If her strategy was successful enough, she could potentially move into the top five to automatically earn an exempt LPGA Tour card for 2008. But most importantly, she saw it as the place where she could measure herself against other and improve.
TAKES TIME AND COMMITMENT
"It's just about dreaming and now I have a clue about how I want to get there," said Vikki. "It takes time and commitment and effort. I can't control the timing, but if I can keep my eyes on the prize, I'll be fine. The purpose of being here is to get my card for the LPGA and to keep playing tournaments."
In 10 tournaments this year, Laing has already posted three top-10 finishes, including a tie for third in Kansas City on a course laced by the thickest rough seen yet this season. In the winds of McAllen, Texas, she tied for seventh. And again in wind and on a difficult course outside Chicago with hard-to-hold greens, Laing emerged tied for 10th. She has repeatedly shown the creative shot-making form of her past and each week, she seems to be figuring out what she needs to do next.
"As such an accomplished amateur player, I think you can get caught up in mechanics and how to do it all over again," said Martin. "Vikki can certainly get the ball in the hole, but I think she’s finally realizing how to let go and just play."
Anne Walker added:
"She was an incredible junior player, had a successful college career and I think this is truly the first season from Vikki where she has been fully committed.”
Plus, Walker credits Laing's "passion for the game" - something she has possessed since she was a teenager, out weathering the storms that froze her fingers and tested her fortitude against tough conditions on the world's greatest courses. Laing didn't always win those contests, but she collected those experiences and made them a part of her playing repertoire in a new land.
"It's just about dreaming and now I have a clue about how I want to get there," said Vikki. "It takes time and commitment and effort. I can't control the timing, but if I can keep my eyes on the prize, I'll be fine. The purpose of being here is to get my card for the LPGA and to keep playing tournaments."
In 10 tournaments this year, Laing has already posted three top-10 finishes, including a tie for third in Kansas City on a course laced by the thickest rough seen yet this season. In the winds of McAllen, Texas, she tied for seventh. And again in wind and on a difficult course outside Chicago with hard-to-hold greens, Laing emerged tied for 10th. She has repeatedly shown the creative shot-making form of her past and each week, she seems to be figuring out what she needs to do next.
"As such an accomplished amateur player, I think you can get caught up in mechanics and how to do it all over again," said Martin. "Vikki can certainly get the ball in the hole, but I think she’s finally realizing how to let go and just play."
Anne Walker added:
"She was an incredible junior player, had a successful college career and I think this is truly the first season from Vikki where she has been fully committed.”
Plus, Walker credits Laing's "passion for the game" - something she has possessed since she was a teenager, out weathering the storms that froze her fingers and tested her fortitude against tough conditions on the world's greatest courses. Laing didn't always win those contests, but she collected those experiences and made them a part of her playing repertoire in a new land.
LOVES THE GAME OF GOLF
"A large percentage of professionals play to make a living, but Vikki plays because she loves it," said Walker. "I think this will be the key to her long-term success."
And by the looks of things, the Scot with the sweet swing has found a way to successfully combine her passion with her profession. Winning again will simply come in time.
"A large percentage of professionals play to make a living, but Vikki plays because she loves it," said Walker. "I think this will be the key to her long-term success."
And by the looks of things, the Scot with the sweet swing has found a way to successfully combine her passion with her profession. Winning again will simply come in time.
ANY COMMENTS? E-mail them to colin@scottishgolfview.com
Labels: Pro Ladies
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