For LSU alumni Ashley Winn, breaking into the Ladies Professional Golfers Association Tour has been tough. But Winn is not ready to give up yet.
“It has been a lot of tickets and playing fees, but I’m definitely not complaining,” said Winn.
Winn was a three time All-SEC selection and three-time NCAA All-American while at LSU.
She graduated from the University with a degree in Marketing.
Winn spent the past three years playing on the Futures Tour – a developmental tour for rookie players. Winn said the Futures Tour is difficult because players barely make ends meet, unlike the LPGA tour where there is a potential for large earnings.
“For the last three years I thought each year would be my last,” Winn said. “On my third year I thought if I improve I’ll keep going.”
Winn finally broke into the LPGA Tour last October after placing 47th at the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament. She now has earned non-exempt status for 2003, which means she has a chance to qualify for LPGA tournaments.
The Monday before tournaments begin there is a Monday qualifier, which allows two more players a chance to play. Because Winn has been given non-exempt status she now can attend Monday qualifiers and play for her chance to be in LPGA tournaments.
“It’s tough because it’s twice as much traveling,” Winn said.
Winn still is playing with the Futures Tour while jumping into Monday qualifiers for various LPGA tournaments.
“As long as I keep improving and I am able to raise the funds, I’ll keep going,” said Winn.
Winn, a West Monroe, La., native, currently resides with her family in Monroe while working her way up in the Tour.
She said while on the Futures Tour many players reside with families who are members at the clubs they travel to in order to cut costs.
Winn said it also has been difficult maintaining her relationship with her boyfriend while she is traveling.
“You’re on the road for three months at a time,” Winn said.
But she said she is glad her boyfriend has been able to travel with her to some tournaments as her caddy.
The LPGA has seen recent publicity after member Annika Sorenstam was invited and played at the PGA Tour’s Bank of American Colonial Tournament. Sorenstam was the only female invited to play in the all-male tournament.
“It was great exposure for the LPGA,” said Winn. “I didn’t hear any negative comments after she missed the cut which I thought I would.”
Winn said she would have had a hard time facing the criticism Sorenstam faced for playing with the men. Winn said she doesn’t know how Sorenstam was able to hit that first shot.
“I admire her for her courage,” Winn said.
Yet, Winn does not feel a need to play with the men.
“We have a great place to play, the LPGA,” she said. “It’s good enough for me.”
Winn said she does not think it is fair for women golfers to compete against men golfers.
“You put women on a men’s tee and [the men] are going to have an advantage,” Winn said.