Karen Stupples sets sights on

Dubai Ladies Masters

FROM THE KHALEEJ TIMES WEBSITE
DUBAI — From waiting tables at a public golf course to making lots of money as a tour pro, Karen Stupples, winner of the 2009 Wales Ladies Championship of Europe, knows a thing or two about how to succeed in life.
She will be making her first appearance in the forthcoming Omega Dubai Ladies Masters, determined to add a new chapter to her success story in the world of golf.
“Go over, go under, go around, go through, but never give up,” is her mantra for success.
“There are no guarantees in golf,” said the 2004 British Open champion ahead of the Euro 500,000 season-ending Ladies European Tour event to be held at the Emirates Golf Club from December 7 to 12.
“I love being competitive and winning is fantastic, but the best feeling of all is knowing you have done something to the best of your ability,” said Stupples, who will join a top-class star cast in Dubai, spearheaded by American superstar Michelle Wie.
Making a good living as a tour golfer is quite an achievement for a player who first caddied for her father to earn pocket money and then waited tables at a public golf course in Folkestone, Kent, because she didn’t have the resources to take a run at Q-School or to play the LPGA circuit even if she qualified.
“I have never been to Dubai before and this will be my first trip so it is really exciting for me,” said the 36-year-old who is only the third English player to win a major after Laura Davies and Alison Nicholas.
“Everybody says Dubai is amazing and a place you can put on your list of a place you must visit before you die.
“I feel very lucky that I have the opportunity to go there and play a golf tournament,” said Stupples, whose best finish on the LPGA Tour this season being a tie for 15th at the Honda LPGA Thailand.
“I don’t know (what to expect). I want to go and play as well as I can and I know that if I play to my best ability I will have a good chance of winning at the end of the week,” said Stupples, who shot a season-low 65 in the third round of the LPGA Corning Classic.
“I’ve been putting in a lot of work recently on my game and we’ll see how it works out,” said Stupples, who has an ongoing problem with the veins in her legs, which restricts the amount of time she can spend on practising.
“I have been having some more lasers on my legs, on my veins, and I’m still not finished with the whole ordeal. At the end of a round my legs were very tired, very heavy and achy. Hopefully, I’ll be a much fitter Karen Stupples in 2010.”
“Karen is a perfect example of how to keep the fire burning in adversity — a role model for all those who are aiming to have a successful career as a professional golfer,” said Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice-chairman and CEO of golf in DUBAi — the promoters and organisers of the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters.
“We are delighted to welcome her to Dubai and hope her presence will provide a major boost to women’s golf in Dubai.
“With players of the stature of Michelle Wie, Laura Davies, Catriona Matthew and In Kyong Kim among other superstars lining up for honour this year, I am sure the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters will produce an exciting battle before the winner is crowned,” he added.