Feb 04, 2023

T-Time Podcast // Ep. 10: The Reality of Becoming a Professional Golfer with Betsy Kelly & Leigh Klasse

golf media mental hurdles of golf on the course podcast

Becoming a professional golfer is a challenging and highly competitive career path that requires years of dedication, hard work, and patience. To be considered, amateur golfers must have a track record of consistently performing below par in state and nationally-ranked amateur competitions, with their highest score not exceeding 3 above par. Additionally, pursuing a career in pro golf can be costly, as it involves constant investment in equipment and travel expenses, along with the high fees for participating in tournaments, which can reach or even exceed $1,000.

On today's show, Tori is thrilled to have Betsy Kelly and Leigh Klasse as guests. Leigh and Betsy alternate between wintering in Arizona and summering in Minnesota. Leigh is a seasoned golfer, having participated in 60 USGA championships and won 57 state championships in Minnesota. Betsy is a colleague and friend of Tori's and is a professional golfer on the Epson Tour. She is actively working towards obtaining her LPGA Pro Card. Tori and her guests will dive into the realities, sacrifices, and patience required to make a career in professional golfing.

Leigh’s first USGA Championship

Leigh participated in her first USGA Championship, the USGA Women's Amateur Public Links, which has since been retired. She transferred to the University of Minnesota to play golf and was encouraged by her coach to play more tournaments in the summer. Leigh signed up for the qualifier at Keller Golf Club, a historic venue in Minnesota that hosts professional tournaments. Despite being intimidated by playing against younger golfers, Leigh learned the importance of adapting to new challenges in the sport.

The 3 Stages of Q-School

The Q-School is the process of becoming a professional golfer on the Epson or LPGA tours. It consists of three stages:

Stage 1:

This stage is held in Palm Springs, California, every August. Over 300 girls participate, and the top 100 move on to stage 2.

Stage 2:

This stage is typically held in Florida in October. The top 100 from stage 1 compete for full Epson tour status. This stage requires you to play 4 rounds of golf.

Stage 3 (Q Series):

This final stage consists of eight rounds. The goal is to get an LPGA card. A player's status depends on their performance in Q-School, and the top performers will have better status on the tour.

Costs for Getting into Golf Tournaments

“Golf is a very expensive sport if you want to compete.”

Participating in women's golf tournaments can be expensive, as players must pay for their membership, tournament entry fees, travel expenses, food, and more. The expenses for each tournament can range from $2,500 to $3,000, and most players only make money if they are ranked in the top 50 in the world. Many female golfers rely on host families, who offer them a place to stay while participating in U.S.G.A. tournaments. The host families typically live on or near the golf course, and the arrangement helps players save on hotel costs. If they are lucky, the ladies can, also, have sponsors pay for certain or all expenses of the tournament.

When Does an Amateur Officially Become a Professional?

According to experts, an amateur golfer should finish below par in 50% of their competitions. If you play on a championship-caliber course, your highest score shouldn't be more than three over par. That's difficult, but nobody ever said becoming a professional was easy. What will happen if you are unable to obtain these amateur scores? You won't be selected for the tournaments you enter, plain and simple. Cuts range from two over par to five under par in professional tournaments.

From Q-School to LPGA Tour

The dream of becoming a professional golfer on the LPGA Tour begins with the Q-School. Only the top 45 out of approximately 75 players from the third stage Q-series receive some form of status, with the top 20-25 getting a full card. This means they can compete in any LPGA Tour Tournament. The reality of women's golf is harsh, and many players struggle to make ends meet. They have to work side jobs to support themselves as they pay for rent, food, and training. It's a tough road, but these women are determined to make their dream of becoming professional golfers a reality.

How Betsy Uses Social Media to Bring Value to Golf

Betsy has taken to social media to bring value to the golf community. She has created an Instagram account, where she shares her experiences, knowledge, and love for the sport. Betsy faced several challenges in her golf career, including financial and health issues, but she never lost her passion for the sport. Her goal with her social media presence is to provide value to others by sharing tips, tricks, inspiration, and all things golf.

Betsy noticed that some girls who were not actively participating in golf were still getting money and free equipment, while talented girls grinding on the mini tours were not getting the recognition they deserved. This inspired her to make a difference in the golf community by providing real value through her social media presence. She posts about her progress and journey, shares tips and tricks, and inspires others. She wants to help others improve their game and grow the sport. She believes that golf is more than just a sport. With her passion and dedication, Betsy is determined to make a difference in the golf community through her social media presence.

Connect with Our Guests

Betsy Kelly:

Instagram

Connect with us on your favorite social platform:

Subscribe to our FREE Female Golfer Facebook Group:

First T Crew [Behind the Scenes of Women’s Golf]

Get in touch!