Recap

Hey everyone!
Just wanted to do a little recap of the first 2 events. The first event in Winter Haven, FL went fairly well. I got a good draw on having a morning tee time on the 2nd round and was able to post a 75 before the wind really started to pick-up. On my second round I missed a few shorts at the end of the round and had to wait paiently all afternoon to see if I would make the cut to play on Sunday! By the end of the day I had moved into T60 (the top 70 and ties make the cut each week). On Sunday's round I struggled to start and was 6 over after 9 holes. I stayed calm and believed in myself on the back 9 and made 3 birdies in my final 8 holes for a 3 under on the back 9 and a 75 for the day! I finished the tournament T45 and made $716.
I had a week off before our second event of the season in Daytona Beach, FL, April 3-5. On Monday March 30th at LPGA headquarters I had the initial meeting for the Player Promo Team, which consists of about 40 players who get to do special events as part of our tournaments each week. These events include clinics, fashion shows, tv appearances, and pro-ams. We also had a photo-shot on Monday for our player "trading cards", a baseball card with our picture and information on them! I will add a few of the pictures to the blog once I get them!
The event in Daytona didn't go quite as well as I would have liked. I had a solid first round of 75 and was T49 going into the 2nd round. I struggled on the back 9 the second day with 4 bogeys. I ended up shooting at 6-over par 78. I ended up missing the cut by 2. I learned a lot from the event and I am excited to get to the next event in Lafayette, LA. I will start heading there this Sunday!!

Sunny Florida

Hey everybody from sunny Orlando! I have stayed in Orlando since the Florida Women’s Open. I shot 74 the final day, but did not win any money. I felt many improvements from the 2nd round and it was good to have another tournament round after the off-season. Thursday I was able to get into the RIFE putting studio and work out a few issues with my putting, always a good thing! Thursday I was also able to enjoy a few non-golf activities including visit one of my aunts who lives in Orlando and trying on a bridesmaid dress for a friend’s upcoming wedding.
The Florida weather has been quite conducive for great practice and swimming in the pool of my friend’s house where I have been staying! I played a practice rd at the course in Winter Haven yesterday with a few Futures Tour players. I will be heading to Winter Haven tomorrow to start practicing there and staying there with a host family! The tournament starts on Friday!!

2009 Season Underway

Hello All! I have begun my 2009 season! It started yesterday with my first round at the Florida Women's Open in Orlando, FL. I started well with birdies on the first 2 holes! The second hole I chipped in with my pitching wedge from a few yards off the front of the green. I ended the round with an even par round of 72.
Today did not go as well and I shot a 5-over par round of 77. With a 2-day total of 149 I missed the 2 day cut by 1 stroke! Not exactly the way I wanted to start my 2009 season, but I learned a lot and tomorrow I get to play in a consolation event for a small purse. This is good to be able to get another tournament round under my belt for the season.

I have a few big events to report on from the last few weeks! First off yesterday I completed my first half marathon! I completed the Myrtle Beach Half Marathon (13.1 miles) in 2:12:08. I ran the entire distance, something I did not think I would be able to do! It felt great crossing the finish line and knowing I had done it!
The last week of January I went to Florida for the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando. On my way down to Orlando I stopped in St. Simmons and got in 9 holes with one of my hosts from Gettysburg. It was fun to see a new place and catch up with them! Wednesday through Saturday was a whirlwind of events as a rep for Sweet Lies Golf. The show takes up the entire West Hall of the Orange County Convention Center. Working with Sweet Lies helped me see a new side of the golf industry and how important the PGA show is in growing their line. The number of vendors and size of some of the booths were unreal. Walking from one end to the other was not an easy feat.
I have added a new event to my 2009 schedule- the Florida Women’s Open in Orlando, FL March 9-11. Many Futures Tour players participate in the event and it is a good way to gear up for the first event March 20-22 in Winter Haven!

Update!

I have been in off-season mode since Q-School ended the middle of November. With my finish at Q-School I finished about 40 places higher than Q-School last year. With this finish I should get into every event this coming season. Off-season mode includes more work at Dad’s office, calls for Sweet Lies Golf clothing line, gym, and golf-therapy time during the day in addition to practicing and taking lessons. I also managed to support my Wolfpack at a few football games!

Tuesday I am leaving for the PGA Show in Orlando. I will be working with the owners of Sweet Lies Golf at the show. This is my first time attending the show and have heard great things about it! On my drive down to Orlando I will be stopping in St. Simon’s Island, GA to stay with my host family from Gettysburg, PA who are staying in Georgia for the winter. St. Simons will be another new for me on the trip, after hearing so much about for years from living in South Carolina.

I am also currently training for the Myrtle Beach Half Marathon on Valentines weekend. Last year I was a part of the Low Country Physical Therapy relay team for which I ran a 5 mile leg. This year they did away with relay due to the half and full gaining popularity so I decided to push myself the extra step and do the half marathon.

Many of you participated in my tournament this weekend last year. I decided in light of the economy to not hold an event this year. I will kick-off my Futures Tour season March 20-22 in Winter Haven, Florida. This is one of a few new locations on the tour this year!

Hi!

Hello Everybody! My name's Lorraine Ballerano and I am a professional golfer on the Futures Tour! I am going to be sharing some of my experiences in junior and college golf with y'all! I will also be updating you from tournaments during the 2009 Futures Tour Season. I will also answer any questions you might have about junior, college, or professional golf.

I started playing golf when I was 5 with my dad. When I first started I would go to practice at the driving range and play the course from the 150 yard marker since I did not hit it very far! I also attended the summer golf camps at my course. In 5th grade I attended an all-girls summer golf camp in Fort Lauderdale, FL. This camp really got me interested in playing golf. My parents never forced to play or practice. Golf was always my choice and that is one of the reasons I am still playing today, because golf was never forced on me. I will add another post the end of the week about starting tournaments!