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A Life-Changing Return To Competition
By Karen Stupples
FRENCH LICK, INDIANA | The problem was always preparation. For a year, I’d known I was going to play the Senior LPGA Championship on the Pete Dye Course at French Link Resort. Because of my Golf Channel broadcasting schedule, I had missed it last year, the first time I was eligible after turning 45. This summer I was eager to play and excited to see some old friends; to test my game in a competitive environment after years of being away.
But I was also concerned. I had a busy season of commentating and I wasn’t going to take my clubs on the road. I take my job with Golf Channel too seriously for that. When I’m commentating at an event, I’m working; if I’m practicing my golf, I focus on golf. Plus, if I started preparing sooner, I could envision myself beating balls, grinding and burning myself out.
So, after my busy summer concluded with the Solheim Cup and the Indy Women in Tech Championship, I thought I could spend a solid month getting ready to play. It wouldn’t be enough to compete with players like Juli Inkster or Dame Laura Davies, both of whom remain active on the LPGA Tour, but at least I could be prepared.
Unfortunately, I went out with my friend and fellow commentator, Jerry Foltz, to play a round near our Florida home and, while hitting a hard 3-wood on a par-5, I tweaked my back to a point where I couldn’t move. Breathing hurt. Walking was almost impossible and golf was out of the question. I was on the couch for days. Finally, I saw a physical therapist in Melbourne, Fla., a woman who has worked with LPGA Tour players in the past. She loosened my hips and gave me some mobility. But by then, it was time to fly to Indiana. I showed up in French Lick having played a total of 27 holes in 2019.
I was terrified of possibly making a fool of myself. I had my old caddie from our tour days, Worth Blackwelder, on my bag. I didn’t want to disappoint him and I really didn’t want to disappoint myself. I wanted to give Worth a good week of seeing old friends. And I also wanted the same for myself.
I got in touch with my old psychologist, Martha Cobo, who told me, “Remember, you’re not the same Karen as you were before. This is the 2019 version of you. Embrace that person.”
That was such a relief to hear. I could leave that 2004 version of me behind and show up being the person that I am today. It was nice to be reminded of that.
For people like Juli, Trish Johnson and Helen Alfredsson, it’s no different now than when they were competing in majors on the LPGA Tour. They’re still grinding; they’re still working on the range and putting green; still as intense as ever. For players like me, that’s not the case. I’m not in any shape to grind. I couldn’t physically put myself through it. So, I went into the championship with a different set of goals. When I played in majors before, I expected to contend. And I did everything I could to win. At this Senior LPGA Championship, my goals were to be proud of my effort and to hit enough quality shots to remember what it was like. I also wanted to play pain-free golf.
When I arrived in French Lick, I found that a lot of players shared those goals. Apart from a few players who have stayed on tour, competitive golf has been a distant memory for most of us. I realized that we were all in the same boat; all worried about embarrassment; all working to be our best selves at this stage in life. That realization was refreshing and helped me relax and enjoy the week.
It was also really cool having Jerry follow me as part of Golf Channel’s coverage. No matter what was going on – and he saw me hit some ugly shots – he was the same chill, supportive guy that I’ve always known. I must admit, though, I was a bit nervous when he interviewed me after my round.
I shot 77-77-83 and finished 21-over par for the week. But I left French Lick happy. Worth had caddied for me and made me laugh when I needed it. Jerry had been there sharing moments I will never forget.
When I got home last Thursday, I thought, that’s it. I’m quite happy to put my golf clubs away, maybe for good. But after a night’s sleep, the thought of playing began appealing to me again. I thought, ‘I could go hit balls now.’ Playing in the Senior LPGA Championship rekindled a spark I thought had gone out forever.
During the final days of my LPGA career, I felt like golf was kicking me in the stomach. And it hurt. The game I loved was hurting me emotionally. That was my fault. I was letting golf define me. Now I’m not. Now I have a different life. I can play golf – some of it good, some of it quite bad – and it’s fun.
I can enjoy playing a casual round with friends again. I didn’t feel that way before French Lick.
That’s a big thing, life-changing, really. And that is what the Senior LPGA Championship meant to me.
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