Carlings 2009 Duramed Season Highlights

A Brief Look Back and Then Forward to QSchool

I just finished what felt like the quickest and the longest six months of my life. I just finished my first full season as a professional golfer, the first of many years to come. A year I don’t think I’ll ever forget. Sometimes I still say to myself, “Wow, I’m a professional golfer.” And people still tell me daily that I have “the best job in the world.” I’d like to share my favorite moments of the year in little clips and phrases. Some may be inspirational, funny, weird, or even sad. Nonetheless, this is what proof I have of my life as a professional athlete. Feel free to smile, laugh, or cry. Seriously, just let it out…

I was stuck next to a tree, and I tried to hit a ball left-handed. I can still remember the crowd’s “gasp!” when I completely whiffed it….twice.

My dad and I have been practicing my flop shot since I was literally 12 years old. I will never forget the angry look in my competitor’s eyes when I got up and down 11 times in one round at The Lost Marsh Golf Club in Hammond. It should have been an 85, but I squeaked out a 72. I’ll take it!

I decided to share a hotel room with my friend Carmen Bandea when we were playing in Harrisburg, PA. She busted a hole in her coolant tank in her car, so I car-pooled us all over town throughout the week. Then while on the way to our Saturday 7am tee-time, I managed to get a flat tire! We counted down the minutes while being stranded on the side of the highway. The tow truck driver dropped us off at 6:45 am…just in time to show up to the tee relying on only our mental game! I shot even par. Thinking about hitting this strategy more often!

I’ll never forget working with my mom&dad. He is always coming up with new strategies! He’s the guy you see at the airport practicing his “air” golf swing with one arm. We always believe that professional golfers will make it on tour if they continue to improve. You wouldn’t believe how many players are out here satisfied with their game and are just sitting around, waiting for their next big break. Not us. We’re searching. We’re on a mission. Here are my successful swing mechanics throughout the season.

Don’t slide your right shoulder back. No ignition move (twitching your hands at the beginning of the swing). Keep your right elbow in front of your body. Keep your left leg bent at all times. Finish short. Keep chest facing downward. Don’t get tight. Feel sturdy with your legs at set-up. Don’t slide hip forward, move left. Get upper body over left foot on downswing. Swing back with your back, swing forward with your back. Keep the club in the middle of your body at all times! Master all of these techniques and you will be ready for the LPGA, promise

Did I struggle in the middle of the season? YES! Was all of this mechanical work worth all of the struggling? YES! I think I may just peak at the perfect time. I just made six straight cuts in a row, moved 30 spots on the money list, and I’m on a plane to LPGA School RIGHT NOW. Thanks mom&dad!

I made so many friends. I remember signing up for the practice round the first week and just put myself on a blank hole. I didn’t know anyone. But after playing all of the events, I can’t wait to laugh, joke, and maybe even gamble a little during a practice round! I always bet 5% of my earnings for the week so they have the chance to win like 8 bucks haha! I can’t wait to visit all of my new friends from all over the world!

I’ll never forget the tournament where my awesome boyfriend came to caddy. It rained, and rained, and rained some more! We teed off at 2:30pm, 6:30pm, and 6:45 am. Oh yeah ! I’ll never forget finishing on Saturday and having to tee off like 9 hours later! Haha!

I’m so proud that I played every single event this year. That’s right, all 17. The toughest part was going 6 straight. I went from city to city, fast food joint to other fast food joints, and constantly practiced the whole time! I was so exhausted by the last Sunday round that at one point I actually stepped in Michaela Cavener’s line (she was cool about it!), stepped on my OWN ball mark, left my putter on the practice green, and yelled at dad (he was cool too!). I can’t believe I made it!

So as you can see, it was a scratchy start, but a tiger finish. Its $5,000 to go to LPGA QSchool, and it’s a tough decision to make for most. It wasn’t for us. We’re ready to hit ‘em “Coffing style” next week. I’ll keep you posted and wish us luck!!

Carling

Ladies on the Tee Golf Blog at www.sherrytabb.com would like to congratulate Carling Coffing on her rookie season as a full-time professional golfer on the Duramed FUTURES Tour.  We look forward to following Carling on her quest through QSchool to gain her LPGA Card.  “Chasing the Dream”.

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Tags: Carling Coffing, Duramed FUTURES Tour, LPGA, LPGA School, professional golfer