Catching Up With Laura Luethke

By George Takata
VSP Senior Writer-

It’s only been less than a year since Laura Luethke won the individual WAC Women’s Golf title, leading Fresno State to its first team championship in school history at the same time. Luethke has won at every level she’s played in, from high school (two-time state champion) to college. Now, she’s working on becoming a winner at the highest level possible: the LPGA Tour.

The road to that goal is just beginning.

Laura is her own fundraiser. She raised about $4,500 dollars by hosting a golf tournament at Riverbend Golf Club last month. That money will be used to play in mini tournaments next month, starting with the Cactus Tour in Phoenix April 6. She will play in three tournaments in Arizona, as well as few in Southern California in the California Players Tour.

“I’m really thankful to all the people that came out and helped me with that,” Luethke said. “That will be enough to definitely get me through the month depending on how I do in the tournaments. I’m excited. Just to go to new places, travel a little bit. I’m looking forward to it.”

Luethke says raising money to play isn’t easy.

“The financial part is kind of the hardest part,” she said. “Getting enough money to play in the tournaments and be able to travel kind of takes some time and preparation. But right now I’m enjoying it. There’s still a long way to go, but I’m having fun.”

Another major adjustment for Luethke was making her own schedule. Gone are the days when Bulldogs head coach Angie Cates had that all taken care of. Now, it’s up to Laura to take care of it herself.

“It’s kind of weird not having a practice routine that someone else has set up for you,” said Luethke. “I just kind of have to be more organized and do it more for myself. All the stuff that Angie used to do for us I have to do it on my own now, so its harder.”

Luethke is also coaching herself, save for the times her dad Ed (a former All-American golfer at Fresno State) helps her with her swing. Lessons haven’t been necessary as of yet.

“I like just playing and trying to figure it out,” she said. “I’ve actually been hitting the ball pretty good lately, so I haven’t really been too concerned about changing my swing.”

The mini-tours lead up to the biggest stage for every young golfer: Q school, or qualifying school. If Luethke does well there in September, she could get her LPGA Tour card pretty quickly.

“I know it’s going to take some time on the mini tours, but I feel if I get on a roll that it can be sooner than the next couple of years,” Luethke said. I feel like I can get there (LPGA Tour) this year or the next year.”

The drive down that road to her goal may be a very short one.

THIS AND THAT: Q school sectional qualifying will be held at the Mission Hills Country Club in Palm Springs September 17-20… Luethke graduated from Fresno State with a degee in Communiations… She’s 22 years old… Also gives lessons at Riverbend… Uses former Bulldog All-American Nick Watney’s success on the PGA Tour as motivation.

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