The IX: Golf Thursday with Carly Grenfell, September 5, 2019
By The IX Team
Making it on the LPGA Tour — Haley Moore inspiration — Must-click links in women's golf
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Harsh Reality: Making It on the LPGA
Beth Ann Nichols wrote an excellent piece on the realities of making it on the LPGA and that’s going to be my focus in this week’s newsletter. In this story, she features Haley Moore (more on her down below), and how she has no sponsors despite a prolific college career, a really inspiring story on overcoming adversity and rolling through the first stage of qualifying school to earn her LPGA card.
“It takes money to make money on the LPGA Tour. Lots of it, in fact.”
While we’re just talking about Moore’s story here, any player at this stage in their career is going through the same exact thing. The biggest check Moore has cashed in is $6,000—and that’s for winning an amateur event. She isn’t old enough to check into some hotels so her mom has to travel with her. She drives most places and doesn’t fly. Her family has tapped into retirement and savings so she can live out her dream.
“She’s the Cinderella of college golf. A player everyone wants to root for. A strong woman who overcame childhood bullying and body shaming to help lead Arizona to the 2018 NCAA title. And don’t forget her memorable birdie on the 16th at the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur, breaking a streak of 15 consecutive pars.”
Even a story like that doesn’t translate to money. For most, it takes an LPGA Tour card to get a sponsor, and even that can be difficult if you aren’t making cuts or haven’t won an event. I know nothing about the Korn Ferry Tour, which would be the equivalent to the Symetra Tour but for the men, but it would be really interesting to see a breakdown of guys who have sponsors compared to the women. Are they in a similar bind? I am sure the travel alone is an issue for both, but are they able to offset these costs in other ways?
It makes sense that the rich do get richer in golf. Once you have money, it’s easier to get places (private jets or a plane), it’s quicker to get places (more sleep, more time to recover, less jetlag) you can afford to get the best care (physical therapy, massages, doctors, etc. on site and at home), you can eat really well, you can hire a coach and a strength coach, and you can bring your people on the road with you instead of leaving behind them for weeks at a time (and probably helping with personal happiness). Up until then, it’s an absolute grind.
Haley Moore and her family have started a GoFundMe page that has raised over $30,000 already, surpassing the original goal of $30,000. They are doing whatever it takes—and it’s amazing to see so many people step up and chip in. If you head on down to the tweet of the week, the response has clearly been overwhelming and the golf world is asking to help even in ways outside of money.
If you needed a feel good story to get you through to the weekend, there you go!
Announcing The IX’s Civil Boost!
We’re extremely honored that Civil chose us for its first Boost, a fundraising pathway to help fund vital newsroom projects. This one is straightforward: travel costs to send me to the WNBA Finals. You’ll get daily podcasts, behind-the-scenes extras and both original reporting and the amplifying of others doing the good work on the scene. More details, and how to give, are available here:
This Week in Women’s Golf
Reminder: First, the underlined words are the links. Second. CLICK these, even if you’ve already read them. Clicks = Attention from editors, producers and webmasters. Third, if you want to push out stuff you’ve written or read, email me! carlygrenfell@gmail.com
Hannah Green validates Major win, wins again at the Cambia Portland Classic.
It came down to the final putt last week but Hannah Green came out on top.
Here is Juli Inkster’s Captain’s blog following her final two Captain’s picks.
It’s not going to be long before Yealimi Noh wins on the LPGA.
Hannah Green is now World No. 20 after her win last week.
Annika Sorenstam, Shirley Spork are two of six inductees into the PGA Hall of Fame.
Jin Young Ko is playing Annika-like golf.
The power of positivity is carrying Patty Tavatanakit through her golf career.
Sisters Nelly and Jessica Korda look to make history at the Solheim Cup.
Who is trending in golf this week?
Juli Inkster got it right with her Solheim Cup picks.
Troy golfer walked away unscathed from a horrific car crash.
Here’s a fun look at the best game day pairings of college football and golf.
Want to play on the LPGA Tour? Get comfortable asking for money.
Tweet of the Week
Five at The IX: Haley Moore
Haley Moore’s story is one you should read up on if you haven’t yet. Back in April, Golfweek’s Ryan Lavner wrote this feature on her overcoming being bullied as a kid to her impressive collegiate career at the University of Arizona and now as an amateur. Her story resurfaced again this week (as seen in the Tweet of the Week) as she continues to earn her way onto the LPGA. Take the five minutes to watch this feature on her time at Arizona and hopefully you’ll be inspired to donate to her cause and career!
