Danielle Lemek's Road to the LPGA

Hello, my name is Danielle Lemek and I am a 2016 graduate of Bradley University. My past four years at Bradley were full of blessings. The following is a brief overview of what I achieved in my four year career as a Bradley student-athlete:

- Obtained an Athletic Scholarship and was a four year member of the Women's Golf Team

- Won the Missouri Valley Conference Medalist Honors as a Sophomore

- Received Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year in 2013, along with winning Player of the Year in 2014, 2015, 2016

- Set ALL the Bradley Women's Golf Season and Career Records

- Career Stroke average of 74.37

- 120 Career Rounds Played

- 111 Career Rounds in the 70s

- 31 Career Top 10 Finishes

- Season Stroke average of 73.61

- Season best of 9 Top 10 Finishes

- Season best of 31 Rounds in the 70s

- Member of the Athletic Director's Honor Roll 7 of 8 semesters

- Graduated with a Bachelors in Business Marketing with a concentration in Professional Sales


The links below give a full depth on my college career accomplishments.

Bradley University Records & Accomplishments :

http://bradleybraves.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=7755

http://bradleybraves.com/documents/2016/6/1//Season_Career_Records.pdf?id=3888

http://bradleybraves.com/documents/2016/9/23//WGolf_Individual_Records.pdf?id=4397

http://bradleybraves.com/documents/2016/6/1//All_Time_Individual_Player_Career_Stats.pdf?id=3887


Missouri Valley Records and Accomplishments :

http://www.mvc.org/records/golf.pdf


This past summer as an amateur was a great start to my professional career. I played in almost all the major amatuer events that were possible, such as the USGA Women’s Open qualifier, the 116th WWGA National Amateur Championship, Women’s TRANS National Amatuer Golf Championship, and USGA Women’s Amatuer. Here are some highlights from each tournament I played in.


USGA Women’s Open Qualifier :
- T18 out of 76 players

WWGA National Amateur Championship :
- Scores of 78-74-152
- Was in an 8 person play-off to for Championship Flight Seed
- Received 64th Seed in Championship Flight
- Round of 64 : Defeated #1 Seed Abbey Carlson in 21 Holes
- Round of 32 : Defeated #35 Seed Morgan Ransom 6 & 5
- Round of 16 : Lost to the WWGA National Amateur Runner-Up Mikhaela Fortuna

Women’s TRANS National Amatuer Golf Championship :
- Made the Championship Cut
- T18 out of 86
- Scores of 71-76-76-80 = 303

USGA Women’s Amatuer :
Stroke Play Portion
- T21 of 136
- Scores of 72-69 = 141

Match Play Portion
- Received 22nd Seed
- Round of 64 : Defeated #43 Seed Anita Uwadia 6 & 4
- Round of 32 : Lost to #11 Seed Robynn Ree 6 & 5


My next step in life is to chase after the dream I have always had since I was 4 years old: to become a Professional Golfer. In August of 2016, I competed in the LPGA Qualifying Tournament (Q-School) in Rancho Mirage, California. I was thrown a curveball the week before leaving for my trip, when I acquired a 3rd degree sprain to my left ankle. This set my game back, but I decided to still compete. I missed  the cut by 1 stroke,  which was  a little disheartening, but my hunger to continue chasing after my dream has not stopped. Due to my finish at Q-School, I did receive Symetra Tour Status in 2017 and I plan on competing in all the tournaments that my priority listing allows me to play in, along with playing in other mini tour events (Cactus Tour and the NWGA, formerly known as the Suncoast Ladies Pro Golf Tour).


The funds accumulated from this account will go towards my golf expenses (these are approximations) :

Tour membership dues - $1,500

Golf equipment - balls, tees, gloves, clubs, etc - $2,000

Travel expenses (flights, road trips, hotel rooms) - $7,000

Country club membership fee ($300 per month) - $3,600

Tournament entry fees (10 @ $500 - $1,000) - $10,000

Caddy Fees ($100 per round) : $1,100


Why do I need your support?

As a professional athlete practice hours and dedication will be my main priority. During this off season I took up a part time golf sales associate position at Dick’s Sporting Goods, to get some money accumulated for the 2017 season. While I work 30 to 35 hours a week, I am also working out three times a week and practicing outside (if the weather is permitting) or inside on the trackman to keep my swing fresh and fluid. I also spend quite a bit of time with my putting training aid that helps with the alignment of my putting stroke. The first week of March I will be traveling down to Arizona to start my Spring training with my coach.

It is extremely difficult for a professional athlete of any kind to have a full time job while putting in the practice hours and dedication it takes to making it at the next level. I will be spending the morning on my short game and putting, while afternoons I will be playing a couple of rounds of golf. This would be 6-8 hours on a daily basis, along with strength and conditioning.


Monetary donations are the easiest to use, but ANYTHING you could offer to advance me professionally would be most appreciated.

- Flight Points or Discounts

- Gas gift cards

- Host Housing (I will give updates on what my schedule will be like this 2017 season)

- Connections to Experienced Caddies

- Connections to Golf Courses to Practice at in the off Season down South

*Contact me via Facebook Message or my email address, [email redacted]


This road is not an easy one to take, but I am willing to do whatever it takes to pursue my dream I have had since I was 4 years old. And this dream would not be possible without your love, support, and generous donations.


And for that I say thank you for whoever helps, I am truly blessed and forever thankful.


Thank you for your support & God Bless!