Editors' Blog Blogger Bio
Future Stars of the LPGA Tour
As the LPGA stars battle it out in Singapore this weekend, there are
younger girls, all over the world, who can't wait to join the fray.
They're doing the drills, practicing relentlessly and sacrificing entire chunks of their youth in hopes of hitting with the big girls some day. That very few girls will ever get there is understood, but dreams are dreams, and there are those who don't look kindly on letting them die.
The remarkable story of the Howard sisters, which just appeared in the New York Times, provides a rare glimps into the day to day life of two aspiring young golf stars, Ginger and Robbie Howard, and their amazingly dedicated family.
Reading this piece one gets a clear sense of the absolute single mindedness required for the pursuit of a high level golf career. At ages 12 and 13 these girls live and breath golf, 24/7, and they've done so pretty much all their lives. Their immense natural talent was first noticed at the driving range when they were just three and four, and it wasn't long before their Dad, Robert realized that the girls had a gift. Their Mom Gainna agreed ...and the rest is Howard history ... history that had included a move to South Florida, a decision to home school, enrollment at Leadbetter and endless drives to tournaments and competitions. The whole family is 100% committed . The Howards are a team and their collective goal is to have the girls be champions.
When the sisters were asked if they would rather be famous celebrities like Michelle Wie or great golfers like Morgan Pressel, who qualified for the women's Open when she was 13, Robbi had what I consider a spot-on response; she simply asked, "Can we be both?" Well, from what I just read about the Howard girls, the correct answer to that is, "yes".
I read the story as well and came away shaking my head. That kind of single-mindedness may or may not make a better golfer, but I can't believe it makes a better person. And what about their younger brother--where does he fit in to all of this? My (slightly younger) daughter is an aspiring golfer, and I can't imagine uprooting our family and developing that sort of monomania to chase a dream.
Good luck girls!! Leadbetter has worked wonders for Michelle Wie when he took over a couple years back!!
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