[dropcap]E[/dropcap]ver since she first hit the links, Hays High alumna Lindsey McCurdy dreamed she would have a chance at one day qualifying for the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA).
During her early days on the Southern Methodist University Mustang Women’s golf team, however, McCurdy wasn’t quite sure if she could accomplish that feat.
By making some changes on the course, McCurdy built up her confidence to the point where the dream of playing in the highest levels of golf is a reality.
It was bolstered last week when McCurdy claimed the 2017 Women’s Southern Amateur championship in Hot Springs, Ark. She now readies for the LPGA’s Q-School, a 90-hole competition where the top 20 players earn full LPGA status.
“I always knew I wanted to give it a shot,” McCurdy said. “I felt in the second half of my college career, I turned it around, and felt good about the LPGA.”
McCurdy’s process toward the chance for the LPGA came when she arrived at SMU for her freshman year.
McCurdy, who won the 2012 Class 4A state golf championship as a junior at Hays, discovered just how competitive collegiate golf was.
She welcomed the challenge, as she competed against her teammates every day, while also going up against top tier athletes from other schools.
“It helped me to play against better players and people who were just as committed as I was and (I) worked harder on my game,” McCurdy said.
With the help of coaches, McCurdy also made some changes on the course. While she had a solid game, McCurdy’s coaches felt she needed to make the changes to take it to the next level.
Alterations included changing her grip, which felt as if she was “starting golf all over again.” From there, McCurdy learned course management and bolstered her course IQ.
Seeing such results pay off wasn’t a fast process, McCurdy said. It took a while for results to show.
Once they did, however, McCurdy learned just how strong of a player she could be.
“It helped with consistency and helped me move up the leaderboard each year,” McCurdy said. “It was fun to progress like that.”
“It’s nice to see people who are still following me and how I’m playing ... It’s nice and I think the Hays area has been supportive and it’s a lot of fun to see that.”
Lindsey McCurdy, former Rebel golfer
The proverbial “ah-ha” moment came during the summer prior to her junior year at SMU in 2015. That summer, McCurdy reached the quarterfinals of the U.S. Women Amateur Open tournament, where she took on some of the best amateurs in the game.
“If you could make it here, you could do well in the pros, too,” McCurdy said.
She used success in the open as a springboard during her junior year. McCurdy, who won the Kansas State tournament that year, had three rounds in the 60s, which according to the SMU website is tied for the second lowest in program history.
McCurdy maintained momentum during her senior season, where 33 of the 34 rounds she carded counted toward SMU’s team score.
She also registered the lowest all-time single season scoring average SMU with a 72.18, while finishing her career with the third best career scoring average.
“That was a turning point in my career,” McCurdy said. “I felt like I could compete at that point.”
Ironically, winning the Southern Amateur was McCurdy’s first win this season. It was a feat that was a relief, as it was a confidence booster to best a field with competitors from Arkansas, Georgia, North Texas and other schools.
Having graduated with a degree in advertising, McCurdy said she is going to try to continue her goal of playing golf professionally.
McCurdy believes her advertising background could pay dividends if she could play professionally.
“It could help me even as I’m trying to play golf. A big part is promoting yourself and getting sponsorships early on,” McCurdy said. “It could help me in making connections with brands and companies.”
Even as she readies for the next stage of her career, McCurdy said she still receives support from those who remember a golfer who practiced at the Plum Creek Golf Course with her father.
“It’s nice to see people who are still following me and how I’m playing,” McCurdy said. “It’s nice and I think the Hays area has been supportive and it’s a lot of fun to see that.”
