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Pro Sports
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Thursday, July 03, 2008, 10:33 AM
For Otteson, caddy dad knows best By Tom Ham | Senior Staff Writer A heavier putter lessened the inconsistency. That first tournament victory eased the financial strain. But the turning point in the second women's professional golf season for Wilson's Stephanie Otteson may have been a serious discussion with her father after a tough day on the Duramed FUTURES TOUR, the development affiliate for the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA). Frustration peaked for the 24-year-old after the opening round of a tournament three weeks ago. Otteson posted a score of 1-over-par. Doesn't sound all that discouraging but Otteson, in an interview Wednesday evening, explained she was convinced 1-over was the worst score she could have shot that particular round. "I gave away everything," she said of the opening-round outcome. Otteson's father, Richard, happened to be her caddy. "I had quite a discussion with my dad about whether (playing professional golf) was something I should pursue. I was putting in a lot of work but no results were coming around," she commented. Richard Otteson encouraged his daughter. The result was putting more weight into the grip of her putter. Stephanie Otteson is not sure how much weight was added but, on the scale of 1-11, the amount was a 5. "It was enough that it made quite a difference," Otteson assured. "The putter was heavier; the overall tempo was better; and the speed was better. (Speed) was the overall problem." Otteson responded by winning her first tournament the next week, earning a purse of $15,400. One of her rounds was a career best of 7-under-par 64. The round included eight birdies and just one bogey. She needed just 24 putts. "Everything started to click," she described. "I was doing the right things after all; sometimes, it just takes a while." Otteson followed her first victory with a tie for 19th last weekend. Of coming off her victory, she admitted: "I was a little bit nervous. A lot more people knew who I was. But after a few holes, it was just another tournament. The win happened last week and it was over with." She has the July 4 weekend off -- which she assured is perfect timing -- then travels to Connecticut for her next tournament. With eight Duramed FUTURES events remaining, Otteson finds herself ninth on the money list. She trails the fifth-place occupant by $9,511. The significance of finishing in the top five? She earns her LPGA card. "It's pretty realistic," Otteson insisted. "My game feels pretty good. I can still win again -- that's possible. (A top-five finish) is more possible when you're ranked 9th on the money list instead of 54th." She reasons the goal can be accomplished with another win, with a handful of top-10 finishes or by playing well in the higher-purse events. But also critical is staying in the top 15 on the money list. That accomplishment will qualify her for the final stages of LPGA qualifying school. Has a successful turnaround produced even more pressure? Otteson doesn't think so. "I put pressure on myself," she admits. "But this is great. I don't feel a whole lot of pressure. It's exciting to have this opportunity in just my second year (first full season) on the tour. And I feel like I have grown as a person." And even if Otteson doesn't finish in the top 15, her tournament championship check will enable her to attend qualifying schools in California and Florida. Funding was not available last year. "I can make by credit-card payments and pay back my dad," she cheerfully said. "I feel comfortable. The money I make the rest of the year will actually be profit." Otteson, who owns a finance degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, is also again comfortable with her career commitment. And she's grateful for the unwavering support of her family and her boyfriend Richie Hunt, himself a professional golfer. Like Otteson, Hunt starred at Fike High. "If I'm going to be away from my family and boyfriend for weeks, drive 12 hours to a tournament and be out there by myself, I'm going to give it everything I have," Otteson firmly said. The mindset represents a stark reversal from a few weeks ago. You can bet the victory and preceding events changed everything. "It kind of validates I am doing the right thing," Otteson contended. "It makes me feel like I belong a little more." hammer@wilsontimes.com | 265-7809
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