Jade's Journey to the LPGA
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I am Jade Elizabeth Sanders and since the age of 7, I have wanted to be a professional golfer. Growing up, my parents continually stressed that college was a priority before any dreams of professional golf could be fulfilled. Because of that, I did everything I could to prepare for that stage of my life. I worked hard on my golf game and my academics while in prep school and high school.
I consider myself fortunate to have been a part of a great Junior Golf Circuit in Northwest Florida. I grew up in the First Tee Program of Northwest Florida, the Emerald Coast Junior Tour, the Florida Junior Tour and the Southeastern Junior Golf Tour. For 4 years of High School Golf I qualified for the State Regional tournament and in my Senior season I qualified for the State Tournament and placed 11th out of 148 competitors. I was recruited by several colleges but decided to sign with Alabama State University located in Montgomery Alabama. While at ASU, I continued to push myself in both academics and golf. I earned a degree in Psychology and I graduated with Academic Honors. I also had a successful collegiate golf career highlighted by a runner up and individual title, both at the SWAC Championship. Numerous top 5 and top 10 finishes. My last 2 years of college I was appointed the captain of the ASU Women’s Golf team. Our team also made very respectable showings at all of our Golf tournaments. Now at the age of 22, I have decided to focus all of my energy into my professional golf career.
A life on the LPGA Tour is what I have always dreamed of, but I want more than to just make it there. When I reach the LPGA Tour, or the developmental Symetra Tour or the Mini-Tours, I expect to make the cut and compete and do my best to win. Having said that, I know that the road to the LPGA tour can have unexpected turns and perhaps take longer than planned. Because of that I know I must remain patient, especially in the beginning. I also realize that the journey to the LPGA Tour will require a significant amount of capital. For this reason, I have started this Go Fund Me Account to assist with the expense of pursuing my LPGA tour card.
Goals for 2021:
The summer of 2021 will consist of Mini Tour professional events. I will focus on 2 Women’s professional tours, the NWGA - National Women’s Golf Association Tour and the WAPT - Women’s All Pro Tour which is a Symetra Tour Qualifier tour. Playing in those events will average around $1200.00 a tournament. Cost include lodging, rental car, practice rounds, yardage books, food and tournament entry fees. I will try to qualify for a Symetra Tour event by winning an WAPT or an NWGA event. I also plan to write each Symetra Tour Sponsor and ask for a sponsor exemption invite to every scheduled Symetra Tour event in 2021, with the hope that if I can secure just one chance to prove that I belong and I can compete, I will do just that. Playing in a Symetra Tour event would cost upwards or $3500.00 per event with airfare, hotel, rental car, practice rounds, yardage books, food and tournament entry fees.
Although the NWGA and the WAPT are not as profitable as the LPGA or Symetra Tours, they are both great tours for younger players to develop as professional golfers. If I don’t have the funds to play in the first stage of the LPGA Tour Q-School in August of 2021, I will try to play in a few choice LPGA Monday qualifier events. Monday Qualifier expenses would range in the area of $1700.00 per event with Airfare, Hotel, Rental Car and Tournament Entry Fees.
I plan to play in the LPGA’s Stage 1 Qualifying Tournament in August of 2021 which is in Rancho Mirage, California and has an entry fee of $3000.00. I will work extremely hard to qualify for the Stage 2 Qualifying Tournament in October of 2021. Stage 2 in Palm Desert, California has a $2500.00 entry fee. Should I advance to the final stage of Q-School for the LPGA that would take place in November and December of 2021 and each have an entry fee of $2500.00. Airfare, hotel, rental car, practice rounds, yardage books, food and tournament entry fees are not included in the entry fee.
Should I earn any level of status by playing in the 2021 LPGA Qualifying Tournament I will then adjust my 2021 playing schedule accordingly. If I am not so fortunate with Q-School, I will continue to work and practice in Pensacola, Florida and play NWGA and WAPT events and prepare for the LPGA 2022 Q-School.
I would greatly appreciate any size donation you are able to contribute. Any amount is acceptable, even if its $1.00. I will gladly accept $1.00 use it wisely to assist in pursuing my childhood dream.
You can keep up with me on Instagram: @jadesanders08 - I will post photos and tournament results and any exciting news on my instagram account.
Thank you very much for even just taking the time to read my story.
Jade Elizabeth Sanders
I consider myself fortunate to have been a part of a great Junior Golf Circuit in Northwest Florida. I grew up in the First Tee Program of Northwest Florida, the Emerald Coast Junior Tour, the Florida Junior Tour and the Southeastern Junior Golf Tour. For 4 years of High School Golf I qualified for the State Regional tournament and in my Senior season I qualified for the State Tournament and placed 11th out of 148 competitors. I was recruited by several colleges but decided to sign with Alabama State University located in Montgomery Alabama. While at ASU, I continued to push myself in both academics and golf. I earned a degree in Psychology and I graduated with Academic Honors. I also had a successful collegiate golf career highlighted by a runner up and individual title, both at the SWAC Championship. Numerous top 5 and top 10 finishes. My last 2 years of college I was appointed the captain of the ASU Women’s Golf team. Our team also made very respectable showings at all of our Golf tournaments. Now at the age of 22, I have decided to focus all of my energy into my professional golf career.
A life on the LPGA Tour is what I have always dreamed of, but I want more than to just make it there. When I reach the LPGA Tour, or the developmental Symetra Tour or the Mini-Tours, I expect to make the cut and compete and do my best to win. Having said that, I know that the road to the LPGA tour can have unexpected turns and perhaps take longer than planned. Because of that I know I must remain patient, especially in the beginning. I also realize that the journey to the LPGA Tour will require a significant amount of capital. For this reason, I have started this Go Fund Me Account to assist with the expense of pursuing my LPGA tour card.
Goals for 2021:
The summer of 2021 will consist of Mini Tour professional events. I will focus on 2 Women’s professional tours, the NWGA - National Women’s Golf Association Tour and the WAPT - Women’s All Pro Tour which is a Symetra Tour Qualifier tour. Playing in those events will average around $1200.00 a tournament. Cost include lodging, rental car, practice rounds, yardage books, food and tournament entry fees. I will try to qualify for a Symetra Tour event by winning an WAPT or an NWGA event. I also plan to write each Symetra Tour Sponsor and ask for a sponsor exemption invite to every scheduled Symetra Tour event in 2021, with the hope that if I can secure just one chance to prove that I belong and I can compete, I will do just that. Playing in a Symetra Tour event would cost upwards or $3500.00 per event with airfare, hotel, rental car, practice rounds, yardage books, food and tournament entry fees.
Although the NWGA and the WAPT are not as profitable as the LPGA or Symetra Tours, they are both great tours for younger players to develop as professional golfers. If I don’t have the funds to play in the first stage of the LPGA Tour Q-School in August of 2021, I will try to play in a few choice LPGA Monday qualifier events. Monday Qualifier expenses would range in the area of $1700.00 per event with Airfare, Hotel, Rental Car and Tournament Entry Fees.
I plan to play in the LPGA’s Stage 1 Qualifying Tournament in August of 2021 which is in Rancho Mirage, California and has an entry fee of $3000.00. I will work extremely hard to qualify for the Stage 2 Qualifying Tournament in October of 2021. Stage 2 in Palm Desert, California has a $2500.00 entry fee. Should I advance to the final stage of Q-School for the LPGA that would take place in November and December of 2021 and each have an entry fee of $2500.00. Airfare, hotel, rental car, practice rounds, yardage books, food and tournament entry fees are not included in the entry fee.
Should I earn any level of status by playing in the 2021 LPGA Qualifying Tournament I will then adjust my 2021 playing schedule accordingly. If I am not so fortunate with Q-School, I will continue to work and practice in Pensacola, Florida and play NWGA and WAPT events and prepare for the LPGA 2022 Q-School.
I would greatly appreciate any size donation you are able to contribute. Any amount is acceptable, even if its $1.00. I will gladly accept $1.00 use it wisely to assist in pursuing my childhood dream.
You can keep up with me on Instagram: @jadesanders08 - I will post photos and tournament results and any exciting news on my instagram account.
Thank you very much for even just taking the time to read my story.
Jade Elizabeth Sanders
Organizer
Jade Sanders
Organizer
Pensacola, FL
