This Week On The Symetra Tour

My wife and I hosted 2 players from the Symetra Tour at our home this week while they played practice rounds and the tournament. I don't know if it was simply luck of the draw or descriptive of the entire field, but these two women were absolutely delightful, fun to be around and very grateful. This tour is all about trying to chase the dream. It is a money losing endeavor for 99% of the field. The players who stayed with us were traveling lean, and I arranged for a friend to caddy for one and I did for another. Keep up and shut up are the mottos of a good caddie, but what an education. From what I saw players were friendly, even chatty while walking the fairways or on the tee, but once over the ball...total commitment to the the club, the line and the shot.

Later in the day over the dinner table, the ping pong table and sitting around the family room they opened up on the frustrations and successes they've encountered. The travel, the expenses, relationship stresses, passports and visas and even some "inside baseball" of tour life.

From what I understand several women were stacked like cord wood in hotels or AirBnB's they really couldn't afford. So if the Symetra Tour comes to your town think about reaching out and hosting a player or two. If your experience is anything like ours you will be happy you did and bankroll some good karma.

Phred

Good for you buddy - I caddied for one of the members on here. It's good to see the life of pro golf outside of the glossy main tours. I think we all owe it as a community to support each other and especially aspiring pros.

Congrats to these ladies for joining the LPGA in 2020.

[https://symetratour.com/news/2019-meet-the-symetra-tour-graduates](https://www.symetratour.com/news/2019-meet-the-symetra-tour-graduates "https://symetratour.com/news/2019-meet-the-symetra-tour-graduates")

Now for the hard part, keeping their cards. Of the 10 cards granted last year, only 4 earned enough this season to keep their cards for 2020 (Pavarisa, Linnea, Stephanie, Charolette). Ruixin, Dottie, Elizabeth, Kendall, Isa, and Dana will be heading to Q-Series.

> @Argonne69 said:

> Now for the hard part, keeping their cards. Of the 10 cards granted last year, only 4 earned enough this season to keep their cards for 2020 (Pavarisa, Linnea, Stephanie, Charolette). Ruixin, Dottie, Elizabeth, Kendall, Isa, and Dana will be heading to Q-Series.

It wouldn't surprise me if only 4 from this batch keep it into 2021. Jillian Hollis said " I’m excited for this next chapter in my career and thanks to the Symetra Tour, I feel fully prepared for the LPGA.”

Not sure she knows just how tough it's gonna be out there. With 2 wins on the Symetra Tour this year, I doubt she manages 4 top 10's next year.

> @Argonne69 said:

> Now for the hard part, keeping their cards. Of the 10 cards granted last year, only 4 earned enough this season to keep their cards for 2020 (Pavarisa, Linnea, Stephanie, Charolette). Ruixin, Dottie, Elizabeth, Kendall, Isa, and Dana will be heading to Q-Series.

For whatever reasons; it hasn't been easy for rookies; either through Symetra Tour or Q-Series.

Interestingly, other than Lucky 6, top rookies on official money Jennifer Kupcho (#41), Kristen Gillman (#52), Cheyenne Knight (#65) and Sarah Schmelzel (#70) all qualified through Q-Series.

> @18majors said:

> > @Argonne69 said:

> > Now for the hard part, keeping their cards. Of the 10 cards granted last year, only 4 earned enough this season to keep their cards for 2020 (Pavarisa, Linnea, Stephanie, Charolette). Ruixin, Dottie, Elizabeth, Kendall, Isa, and Dana will be heading to Q-Series.

>

> For whatever reasons; it hasn't been easy for rookies; either through Symetra Tour or Q-Series.

> Interestingly, other than Lucky 6, top rookies on official money Jennifer Kupcho (#41), Kristen Gillman (#52), Cheyenne Knight (#65) and Sarah Schmelzel (#70) all qualified through Q-Series.

>

Leave out Jennifer's 2T at the Evian, and she's heading back to Q-Series. 'Same with Cheyenne and the VoA. Sarah was a grinder. Nothing really stands out, but she made cuts, and picked up a lot of small paychecks. Kristen had a top 10 at the ANA, and a pair of other top 10's, but otherwise she also grinded her way through the season making cuts.

For me it's quite clear. The college game and the Symetra tour does not prepare these players for the professional life. A small handful of players will be quite successful, but the majority will struggle to make cuts and keep their cards.

> @Argonne69 said:

> > @18majors said:

> > > @Argonne69 said:

> > > Now for the hard part, keeping their cards. Of the 10 cards granted last year, only 4 earned enough this season to keep their cards for 2020 (Pavarisa, Linnea, Stephanie, Charolette). Ruixin, Dottie, Elizabeth, Kendall, Isa, and Dana will be heading to Q-Series.

> >

> > For whatever reasons; it hasn't been easy for rookies; either through Symetra Tour or Q-Series.

> > Interestingly, other than Lucky 6, top rookies on official money Jennifer Kupcho (#41), Kristen Gillman (#52), Cheyenne Knight (#65) and Sarah Schmelzel (#70) all qualified through Q-Series.

> >

>

> Leave out Jennifer's 2T at the Evian, and she's heading back to Q-Series. 'Same with Cheyenne and the VoA. Sarah was a grinder. Nothing really stands out, but she made cuts, and picked up a lot of small paychecks. Kristen had a top 10 at the ANA, and a pair of other top 10's, but otherwise she also grinded her way through the season making cuts.

>

> For me it's quite clear. The college game and the Symetra tour does not prepare these players for the professional life. A small handful of players will be quite successful, but the majority will struggle to make cuts and keep their cards.

>

Fact is none of the current Top Ten has gone through NCAA programs; but Nelly Korda and Inbee Park did come through Symetra Tour.

The story continues, this year we'll see teenagers Lucy Li, Yuka Saso and Yealimi Noh go against Bianca Pagdanganon, Andrea Lee and Albane Valenzuela in Q-School Stage II.

Didn't Nelly play the Symetra Tour because she was too young, and decided not to petition the tour?

> @18majors said:

> > @Argonne69 said:

> > > @18majors said:

> > > > @Argonne69 said:

> > > > Now for the hard part, keeping their cards. Of the 10 cards granted last year, only 4 earned enough this season to keep their cards for 2020 (Pavarisa, Linnea, Stephanie, Charolette). Ruixin, Dottie, Elizabeth, Kendall, Isa, and Dana will be heading to Q-Series.

> > >

> > > For whatever reasons; it hasn't been easy for rookies; either through Symetra Tour or Q-Series.

> > > Interestingly, other than Lucky 6, top rookies on official money Jennifer Kupcho (#41), Kristen Gillman (#52), Cheyenne Knight (#65) and Sarah Schmelzel (#70) all qualified through Q-Series.

> > >

> >

> > Leave out Jennifer's 2T at the Evian, and she's heading back to Q-Series. 'Same with Cheyenne and the VoA. Sarah was a grinder. Nothing really stands out, but she made cuts, and picked up a lot of small paychecks. Kristen had a top 10 at the ANA, and a pair of other top 10's, but otherwise she also grinded her way through the season making cuts.

> >

> > For me it's quite clear. The college game and the Symetra tour does not prepare these players for the professional life. A small handful of players will be quite successful, but the majority will struggle to make cuts and keep their cards.

> >

>

> Fact is none of the current Top Ten has gone through NCAA programs; but Nelly Korda and Inbee Park did come through Symetra Tour.

> The story continues, this year we'll see teenagers Lucy Li, Yuka Saso and Yealimi Noh go against Bianca Pagdanganon, Andrea Lee and Albane Valenzuela in Q-School Stage II.

>

>

I can tell you that Yuka's all around game is a bit more polished than Bianca's at this point in time (objective view). But Bianca's power game/improvement potential and grit gives here more of an edge in the pro game (Subjective bias) :) I'm rooting for both, obviously, but needless to say, most of you would know who I'm leaning to when it's a mutally exclusive choice... :)

> @Argonne69 said:

> Didn't Nelly play the Symetra Tour because she was too young, and decided not to petition the tour?

Yes, she did.

> @Newinup said:

> > @18majors said:

> > > @Argonne69 said:

> > > > @18majors said:

> > > > > @Argonne69 said:

> > > > > Now for the hard part, keeping their cards. Of the 10 cards granted last year, only 4 earned enough this season to keep their cards for 2020 (Pavarisa, Linnea, Stephanie, Charolette). Ruixin, Dottie, Elizabeth, Kendall, Isa, and Dana will be heading to Q-Series.

> > > >

> > > > For whatever reasons; it hasn't been easy for rookies; either through Symetra Tour or Q-Series.

> > > > Interestingly, other than Lucky 6, top rookies on official money Jennifer Kupcho (#41), Kristen Gillman (#52), Cheyenne Knight (#65) and Sarah Schmelzel (#70) all qualified through Q-Series.

> > > >

> > >

> > > Leave out Jennifer's 2T at the Evian, and she's heading back to Q-Series. 'Same with Cheyenne and the VoA. Sarah was a grinder. Nothing really stands out, but she made cuts, and picked up a lot of small paychecks. Kristen had a top 10 at the ANA, and a pair of other top 10's, but otherwise she also grinded her way through the season making cuts.

> > >

> > > For me it's quite clear. The college game and the Symetra tour does not prepare these players for the professional life. A small handful of players will be quite successful, but the majority will struggle to make cuts and keep their cards.

> > >

> >

> > Fact is none of the current Top Ten has gone through NCAA programs; but Nelly Korda and Inbee Park did come through Symetra Tour.

> > The story continues, this year we'll see teenagers Lucy Li, Yuka Saso and Yealimi Noh go against Bianca Pagdanganon, Andrea Lee and Albane Valenzuela in Q-School Stage II.

> >

> >

> I can tell you that Yuka's all around game is a bit more polished than Bianca's at this point in time (objective view). But Bianca's power game/improvement potential and grit gives here more of an edge in the pro game (Subjective bias) :) I'm rooting for both, obviously, but needless to say, most of you would know who I'm leaning to when it's a mutally exclusive choice... :)

It's Sophie's Choice; your daughter or your son!

When push comes to shove; we all have our one and only.

[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophie%27s_Choice_(film)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophie%27s_Choice_(film) "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophie%27s_Choice_(film)")

> @Argonne69 said:

> For me it's quite clear. The college game and the Symetra tour does not prepare these players for the professional life. A small handful of players will be quite successful, but the majority will struggle to make cuts and keep their cards.

>

Is it fair to use Maria Fassi as a first season example? She was the second coming of Christ for a few weeks during and after the Augusta event, and then, well she did nothing. 11 events 0 top tens, 7 MC's in a row. I'm not saying she won't turn that around, but yeah " It's different out there" lol.

> @18majors said:

> > @Newinup said:

> > > @18majors said:

> > > > @Argonne69 said:

> > > > > @18majors said:

> > > > > > @Argonne69 said:

> > > > > > Now for the hard part, keeping their cards. Of the 10 cards granted last year, only 4 earned enough this season to keep their cards for 2020 (Pavarisa, Linnea, Stephanie, Charolette). Ruixin, Dottie, Elizabeth, Kendall, Isa, and Dana will be heading to Q-Series.

> > > > >

> > > > > For whatever reasons; it hasn't been easy for rookies; either through Symetra Tour or Q-Series.

> > > > > Interestingly, other than Lucky 6, top rookies on official money Jennifer Kupcho (#41), Kristen Gillman (#52), Cheyenne Knight (#65) and Sarah Schmelzel (#70) all qualified through Q-Series.

> > > > >

> > > >

> > > > Leave out Jennifer's 2T at the Evian, and she's heading back to Q-Series. 'Same with Cheyenne and the VoA. Sarah was a grinder. Nothing really stands out, but she made cuts, and picked up a lot of small paychecks. Kristen had a top 10 at the ANA, and a pair of other top 10's, but otherwise she also grinded her way through the season making cuts.

> > > >

> > > > For me it's quite clear. The college game and the Symetra tour does not prepare these players for the professional life. A small handful of players will be quite successful, but the majority will struggle to make cuts and keep their cards.

> > > >

> > >

> > > Fact is none of the current Top Ten has gone through NCAA programs; but Nelly Korda and Inbee Park did come through Symetra Tour.

> > > The story continues, this year we'll see teenagers Lucy Li, Yuka Saso and Yealimi Noh go against Bianca Pagdanganon, Andrea Lee and Albane Valenzuela in Q-School Stage II.

> > >

> > >

> > I can tell you that Yuka's all around game is a bit more polished than Bianca's at this point in time (objective view). But Bianca's power game/improvement potential and grit gives here more of an edge in the pro game (Subjective bias) :) I'm rooting for both, obviously, but needless to say, most of you would know who I'm leaning to when it's a mutally exclusive choice... :)

>

> It's Sophie's Choice; your daughter or your son!

> When push comes to shove; we all have our one and only.

>

> [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophie%27s_Choice_(film)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophie%27s_Choice_(film) "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophie%27s_Choice_(film)")

Haha, yes... I think I pm'ed you the reason why also... :)

> @Argonne69 said:

> > @18majors said:

> > > @Argonne69 said:

> > > Now for the hard part, keeping their cards. Of the 10 cards granted last year, only 4 earned enough this season to keep their cards for 2020 (Pavarisa, Linnea, Stephanie, Charolette). Ruixin, Dottie, Elizabeth, Kendall, Isa, and Dana will be heading to Q-Series.

> >

> > For whatever reasons; it hasn't been easy for rookies; either through Symetra Tour or Q-Series.

> > Interestingly, other than Lucky 6, top rookies on official money Jennifer Kupcho (#41), Kristen Gillman (#52), Cheyenne Knight (#65) and Sarah Schmelzel (#70) all qualified through Q-Series.

> >

>

> Leave out Jennifer's 2T at the Evian, and she's heading back to Q-Series. 'Same with Cheyenne and the VoA. Sarah was a grinder. Nothing really stands out, but she made cuts, and picked up a lot of small paychecks. Kristen had a top 10 at the ANA, and a pair of other top 10's, but otherwise she also grinded her way through the season making cuts.

>

> For me it's quite clear. The college game and the Symetra tour does not prepare these players for the professional life. A small handful of players will be quite successful, but the majority will struggle to make cuts and keep their cards.

>

_____________________

Very true @Argonne69 ... but you still need to fill out a field in order to have an event. But, the success of the Symetra tour is dependent on the quality of the competition. Good competition helps players develop ... and no one ever gets better at any endeavour until they start pushing themselves outside of their comfort zone.

Perhaps a better preparatory tour would be to take over the LET and integrate it with the Symetra Tour. Maybe 10 events in Europe and 10 in North America.