Paige Mackenzie has this to say about life as an LPGA rookie: “You don’t even know that you don’t know.”
There is so much to learn. Like many college hotshots, Mackenzie thought she could “come out and beat the world” that first year. It didn’t exactly work out that way for the Washington grad, who will return to Q-School after her second full season on tour.
Mackenzie recognized a similar optimism in Hannah Jun, a UCLA grad who embarked on her own rookie season in 2008. The pair lived together last winter in La Quinta, Calif. Mackenzie described Jun’s outlook in January as “positive and rosy.” It’s hard to appreciate the grind of professional golf until you’re fully immersed.
Jun, 11 months later, summed it up: “Grown-up stuff is not fun.”
Don’t misunderstand, both college grads fully believe the LPGA is where they belong. But the glitz and glam they dreamed of didn’t appear overnight.
Take last week, for example. Jun won the Duramed Futures Tour Q-School on my home track, a 27-hole muni known by locals as “The Heights.” Because I grew up there (and love the place), I can say with authority that there is nothing glamorous about Clevelend Heights. But, Jun got the job done and won $500 for her efforts. She lost money that week.
Like many players, Jun signed up for Futures Q-School as a tune-up for LPGA Q-School, to be held next month 100 miles or so up I-4 in Daytona Beach. There aren’t many four-day tournaments to choose from this time of year.
Back in her home state of California, Jun took some time to talk about her rookie year on the LPGA. She spoke a lot about “vets,” though not the military kind.
One could look at Jun’s year and think she didn’t get much accomplished. The 23-year-old got into nine LPGA events, made five cuts, posted one top-25 finish and earned $32,030. She had status on the Futures Tour, but chose not to use it. So why does she say 2008 was a success? The history major took lots of notes.
“I felt like I learned from vets every (week),” said Jun, who picked the brains of Pat Hurst and Nancy Scranton, to name a few. “I feel like half of your rookie season is just based on little stuff . . . What day to get in at the beginning of the week, how to register, how to hire caddies.”
A self-described “underground nerd,” Jun sneaks around in bookstores looking for World War II epics and gripping biographies. She’s a peppy player with a sense of humor that’s similar to fellow Bruin Tiffany Joh, though taken down a notch or two. When Mackenzie hosted her first charity event last month, she put Jun at the top of her list of potential pro-am partners.
“I knew she would be entertaining,” Mackenzie said.
Jun’s latest obsession, shared by road buddy Taylor Leon, came courtesy of a recent host family. “My weirdest thing probably, is that I picked up knitting this summer,” Jun said. “Don’t tell anyone.”
Oops. Close friends should expect a colorful scarf or beanie this Christmas. Winning Futures Q-School doesn’t do much for the holiday budget.
Jun knew life wasn’t easy well before she turned professional. In 2005 she was a passenger in the car of UCLA football kicker Justin Medlock, who, while driving under the influence, veered off a California interstate and struck a call box. The car flipped, and Jun was treated for neck and spinal injuries. Her golf game was put on hold for several months.
“If that doesn’t teach you patience, I don’t know what does,” she said.
From that experience, Jun learned the valuable lesson that nothing in life is guaranteed. She hopes to one day become an LPGA veteran herself, dispensing advice to wide-eyed rookies. But should something knock that plan off course, her four-year degree should guarantee a Plan B.
“I put in my (college) dues,” Jun said. “Not only do I have something to show for it, but I feel like I was so ready this year. I don’t think people understand how much dedication it takes and what a life commitment (the tour) is.”
Those who find success grow up quickly on the road. Some even learn to knit.
Posted: 11/13/2008
print
email
discuss
