Friday the 13th is viewed as a day of jinx by many, but this September day started off filled with hope by professional golfer Ginger Howard. In the end, the day belonged to both of the Howard sisters: Ginger, who executed consistent shot-making, and her little sister/caddy Robbi, who worked side-by-side with her elder sibling, offering advice only when asked during the week of the second stage LPGA Tour Qualifying School
“We had a lot of fun out there,” Robbi Howard said. “I knew in my head something to say, but I’d only say something if she asked. Not to give her too much to think about.”
20-year-old Ginger, who trains at IMG Academy, had younger sister Robbi to caddy for her at the high-pressure tournament held at Plantation Golf and Country Club in Venice, California.
Photo: (L-R) Robbi and Ginger Howard
Ginger (Bradenton, Florida), shot a 1-under 71 on Friday to earn medalist honors at the LPGA Qualifying Tournament Stage II at Plantation Golf and Country Club. Howard finished with a four-day total of 9-under 289, one stroke clear of Alison Lee (Valencia, California).
Older and wiser, the strategy worked as smooth as butter for Ginger, as she progressed to the final stage along with 85 other players who are scheduled to bout it out in early December in Daytona Beach. Ginger, as beautiful as ever, came in at 9-under par for a 279 total for the 72-hole tournament.
“The thing that really got me going was my sister on the bag,” said Howard, whose 71 on Friday made her the first player to earn medalist twice in the event’s history after she accomplished the feat in 2011. “And she just kept feeding me great mental notes and just keeping my head in the game.”
Howard’s little sister, Robbi is an accomplished golfer in her own right and was a rising contender several years ago, hoping some big-time action herself. Being on the bag this week for big sis Ginger, the Howards played at courses en route, carving up the Bobcat and Panthers courses during the trip.
Howard finished 78th on the LPGA Symetra Tour money list, with a little more than $8,400 in earnings. But, that was just not enough to gain her a place in the final stage.
After that experience, Ginger seems to have learned how to listen to her inner voice and better understands just how competitively tough professional golf can be. “Now I understand all of the trials and tribulations of it, and I think … I’ve had so many years of just learning and just understanding and growing in this professional life,” Howard said.
The top 80 players and ties advanced, meaning the cut came at 7-over par 295.
