Date: October 02, 2012
Author: Julia Boland / Golf Australia

Julia Boland blog: New LPGA Tour member!

My rookie season on the LPGA Symetra season came to an end yesterday with the final round of the Daytona Invitational. Heading into the event I was 6th on the money list and knowing that the Top Ten get their tour card for the LPGA, the pressure was on! Daytona is a big event on tour, in fact it has the second biggest purse, so a good finish would go a long way for everyone! I have learnt this year that pressure is like an imaginary bag that we all carry around and fill up with our own reasons. Some girls feel pressure because they don&apost have sponsors, others feel pressure because they do, I felt pressure to get my tour card and others to keep the Symetra card. The point is I think every single player in the field has their reason for first tee nerves and sleepless nights, particularly at this event. I played some great golf this week, but unfortunately mixed it up with some average golf to finish T22. Coming home I was really aware that it was mathematically possible for me to finish outside the top 10. To be honest it wasn&apost until they called my name and I collected my tour card that I truly believed I was on the tour. The tour staff did a great job at keeping the girls &aposout of the loop&apos with the money list, so there was a nervous wait for us all. Along with my LPGA card I also was the first player in history to be awarded trophies for leading the tour in driving length, and accuracy. My rookie year has been a roller coaster of emotions, learning experiences and lots and lots and laughs. I have been blessed to have been supported by a great bunch of friends on tour and of course I am massively thankful to be a Golf Australia Rookie. Thank you to all of you who have supported me thus far, I hope you continue the journey next year! Until then, good golfing! Julia Boland is a former National Squad member and current member of Golf Australia&aposs Rookie Professional Program. She has an LPGA Tour card for the 2013 Tour season.