University of Memphis Athletics
Where Are They Now?
Jun 18, 2008 | Women's Golf
June 18, 2008
Where Are They Now?
Professional golfer Stacey Tate
Stacey Tate (Auckland, New Zealand) graduated from the University of Memphis in May of 2007 after helping the Lady Tigers to the 2007 Conference USA Golf Championship, where she finished second. She turned pro in November of 2007 and has been competing on the Duramed FUTURES Tour since March. She has made the cut in five of seven events and currently ranks 79th on the money list and 18th on the Rookie of the Year chart. She is getting ready to compete in the next tour stop, the Duramed Championship in Mason, Ohio, June 20th-22nd.
So far on tour, she has a career-best finish of tied for 53rd (for which she won $515). Last week she finished tied for 67th in the Michelob ULTRA stop in Decatur, Ill., earning her biggest check of the season at $650. In that tournament, she carded her first sub-par round, opening with a 69 in the first round.
Below is a quick Q&A with Stacey.
Q1. Talk about how your early professional golf career is going...what's surprised you on and off the course and what do you think are some of your highlights so far.
So far my career is going pretty well, I feel at home on Tour and feel like I can really compete against these girls. What's surprised me the most is how friendly everybody is, my fellow competitors and officials, and how helpful everybody can be. I feel like we aren't competing against one another, but rather competing against the golf course. Everybody roots for one another, it's great.
Highlights so far include my first round under par at last week's major event in Decatur, IL.
Q2. Are you still based out of Memphis and what do you do to get ready for each tournament when you are here in town?
I'm still living in the Memphis area, I like to call Memphis home away from home. I have already made a major move in my life from New Zealand to America, and I have made too many friends in Memphis to want to move anywhere else at this stage. As my career progresses, we will see what happens.
To get ready for tournaments while I am in town I practice out at Greens of Irene, and work out several times a week at Germantown Golf Fitness with Judi and Larry Davis (my American parents!). They work with T.P.I (Titleist Performance Institute) to help improve golfer's fitness regime. Check them out at www.fitgolfers.com.
Q3. What is life like on the Duramed Futures Tour?
Expensive!!! Management skills have to be immaculate. I travel to tournaments by car because the cost of flights and rental cars is insane, especially since I am under the age of 25. My current residency visa doesn't allow me to have a part-time job, so I rely on my own performance to be paid to live. Luckily we are able to get private housing on tour, so that keeps the cost down a little bit, but with the rising cost of gas, its making it tougher and tougher. I have not been able to find sponsors yet to help with my funding.
Q4. Have you had the chance to go home to New Zealand since turning pro?
I turned Pro at last year's Qualifying School in November. I went back to New Zealand for Christmas and spent 3 blessed weeks with my family. We spent most of those 3 weeks at the beach, just our typical New Zealand summer! It was wonderful.
Q5. What are your goals for the remainder of the season?
My goal is to have a Top 10 finish. I think that is very attainable. I'm still not sure about trying to qualify for the LPGA yet, I will see how my season finishes up. Qualifying school has a hefty price tag included. My main goal with my golf is to make it onto the LPGA, I believe I am ready for the big league. I just really need the help of sponsors to make it there, I can't do it on my own right now.
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