Ashley Hoagland	D'Rae Ward

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing two young aspiring LPGA rookies. No, the interview was not done in the cushy confines of a club lounge, nor was it conducted while flying in a private jet to the next stop on tour. These two young ladies, Ashley Hoagland and D'Rae Ward are currently grinding their way up and down the east coast in search of made cuts, tournament experience, and most of all, the pursuit of a dream that began not that long ago.

For these two rookies, golf did not begin at the age of 5. There was no pre-conceived road to greatness, no big name teaching pros tutoring them every step of the way. They are athletes, you can be sure of that. They are tremendous competitors who possess a love for the game that keeps them going when the muscles ache, when the road is long, and when the competition is greater than ever on a tour that they deeply want to be a regular part of. They don't need sports psychologists, or personal trainers. Their version of a private chef is probably Denny's. Instead of a quick flight in town from their teachers, they work with computer programs, and cell phone bills. There is no regular caddie there for them who knows every break of every green, and can calm their players rising nerves when it matters the most. They turn to family and faith when the putts aren't falling. They return to the range when the cut line has eluded them, or perhaps they embark on the long journey to the next event. Maybe this week will be the one, the tournament that makes a difference, the one that makes the fans stand and applaud for them.

The interviews conducted were done while these two gracious ladies worked the LPGA's east coast run. From Georgia to New York, these players took time out of their very busy schedule to chat with me via email, and to answer my questions with style and honesty.

D'Rae Ward (right) posed with fellow rookie Kim Hall (left) at the O'Reilly 300 Busch Series Race in Texas, to learn driving lessons from NASCAR Busch Series rookie Joel Kauffman (middle).

D'Rae Ward – Born May 14, 1983 in Chickasha, Oklahoma, and currently residing in Fort Worth, Texas, Ward was an athlete from day one. “I played every other sport before I picked up golf, but once I started, it was all I did.” Ward, a graduate of TCU (Criminal Justice), has experienced solid success since turning pro in June 2005. After earning alternate status for the Open at Cherry Hills, D'Rae went on to record top 16 finishes in her next three events. A T-16 at the Colorado State Open, followed by a 2nd place finish in the Tennessee Open, and finally, a four way playoff victory in a Golden State Tour event. Ward enjoyed success at TCU, winning three tournaments her sophomore year before suffering a wrist injury that would cause her to sit out her junior year. “The wrist is finally doing great, I do not have to worry about it anymore.” Ward is currently working on her game with two top-notch instructors. The legendary Chuck Cook is sharpening up her short game, and Dana Bellenger is her full swing coach. Unable to get off the road to work with her instructors regularly, D'Rae works with a computer program, video, and email to communicate with her instructors. She then takes their recommendations to the range the next day to work out the kinks. Her goals this year include earning “Full Exempt” status, which will allow her guaranteed entry into more events. “Obviously, I want to win, but I want to get a lot of good playing experience (this year) to get me ready for next year as well.” Her mom Jozelle is currently carrying the bag, providing support, and keeping her daughter focused on the task at hand. “We work very well together. She does not play, so she is very supportive, and helps to keep me focused and level headed.” Once she gains valuable on course experience, playing with the top ladies in the world, Ward should improve, and I look for her to be a regular at future tour stops. She is a tough lady, and understands the hard work, and personal dedication that being successful at this level requires. D'Rae has a strong support system that will prove crucial in the grind that lay ahead. “When its all said and done, I would like for people to say that I had a very successful career, with numerous wins on tour, but more importantly that I had a blast doing it every day!” With her skills and desire, it will be our pleasure to watch this talented young player progress towards her goals, and one-day lift a trophy on Sunday, while she listens to the ovation that she has earned over many long miles, and having a blast the whole way.

Ashley Hoagland – Born September 20, 1982 in Sarasota, and currently residing in Palmetto, Florida, this Wake Forest grad is also making her rookie run at exempt status. A two-time All Atlantic Coast performer, and a 2005 First-Team All-American, Ashley turned professional in July 2005. Hoagland has enjoyed success at the amateur level, and it is only a matter of time before that success follows her to the professional ranks. “It was not until my junior year that I realized I wanted to play golf professionally. From that point on, I used all the resources available to me at Wake to better myself for my future after college.” A 2004 winner of both the Women's Eastern Amateur, and the Women's Dixie Amateur, Ashley has professional golf in the family. Brother Justin Hoagland plays on the Golden Bear, and Hooters tours professionally, and occasionally serves as his sister's caddie. “My brother has served as my caddie a few times, and we work very well together as a team.” Not a long driver of the ball, Hoagland relies mostly on her very sharp short game to keep her scoring in the red. “I am not a terribly long hitter so I focused a great deal on my wedge game so I could get close on the par fives. My coach (Craig Shankland) continues to teach me new shots around the green so that I will be able to get it up and down from anywhere.” Ashley must make the most of her time with Shankland, as a three-hour drive awaits her when she is finished. Like Ward, Hoagland has a strong family support system. Most of her spare time is spent with family or her boyfriend, who is a medical student in Houston. Ashley also has deep religious beliefs that help to strengthen her during the toughest of times. “I have learned to be more patient, and know that God has a special plan and purpose for my life, and though it is not always easy, I have come to trust more and more in Him and lean on His word to get me through my daily battles.” There will be many professional battles ahead for this rookie. Her goals this year include a win on the Duramed Futures tour, and a top-20 in at least one LPGA event. “This being my first full year as a touring professional, I want to gain the most experience I can from both tours.”

Both of these young rookies have a solid understanding of what it takes to be successful at the professional level. They both possess the tools, both physically and mentally to be a winner at the highest level. They echo the importance of maintaining the traditions of a tour that they are now an integral part of, and the values and beliefs of the players who built the tour they try to make a living on. “I am thrilled to be a member of this tour, and hope that I can equally represent the tour as the women over the past 56 years have done,” says Hoagland. Professional golf is missing the passion and desire that these ladies possess. Corporate jets have replaced the car traveling caravans of tour professionals. Swing coaches on the range of major championships, and mental coaches to talk with them after their bad rounds have replaced the blisters and sweat. Huge endorsement contracts have replaced tournament earnings as the major monetary producer. Young players, who have yet to win, and have already cashed checks that they will retire on, have forgotten this desire, this burning desire that makes the great ones great. Fresh faces, with a will to win, and fear of nothing. The competition will be fierce in the years to come. These two both picked up the game in their early teens, and have now earned playing status on the biggest stage in the women's game, the LPGA Tour. There will be many young ladies who follow in their footsteps, and set their goals based on these ladies accomplishments. It seems the LPGA Tour is in good hands. Michelle Wie is not the only young lady with fire, desire, and a commitment to excellence that is undeniable. While the cameras may cover the ascent of a player who has amassed one career win, golf fans will enjoy the rise of amateur champions, like Hoagland and Ward. They are good for the game. Good role models, good citizens, and class acts…I will be rooting for them every step of the way. I will continue to track these players throughout their rookie year, through the Women' U.S. Open, and hopefully for years to come.

I would like to offer my most sincere thanks to both of these great players for taking the time out of their ridiculously busy schedules to talk with me. I owe them each 1 four round caddie loop, which they can cash in at any time!

To learn more about Ashley Hoagland: Click here>> Ashley Hoagland's website is www.ashleyhoagland.com

To learn more about D'Rae Ward: Click here>> D'Rae Ward's website is www.draeward.com