The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutClinton News Record, 2016-12-21, Page 1818 News Record • Wednesday, December 21, 2016 Doig shoots for ladies Professional Golf Association Seaforth resident and professional golfer Robyn Doig recently launched a Gofundme campaign for an upcoming golfing trip to Australia with the ultimate goal of joining the LPGA. Justine Alkema Clinton News Record Seaforth native Robyn Doig is putting along on her journey to be a player in the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA). Most recently, Doig started a Gofundme cam- paign to raise funds for an upcoming seven -week trip to play golf in Australia on the Australian Ladies Profes- sional Golf Tour from Janu- ary 17 to February 24; only 35 international members are invited each year to the event. Doig noted that while win- ter is the off-season in North America, most serious golf- ers head south during the winter to stay on their game. Last year, Doig played in Florida. However she believes the trip to Australia will provide more opportu- nities for her. Golfiing is in the 24 AtererEOCF ittiipa s Doig playing golf. year-old's blood; her parents own the Seaforth Golf Course and she grew up playing the game. As a result of the community she has in 3 Main St., Seaforth 519.600.1577 Direct 519.272.5413 THE SIGN THAT SAYS SOLD Photos courtesy of Doig's Gofundme page Seaforth and area, she has felt extremely supported in her journey of professional golf. Her Gofundme goal is $11,000, and after being up Doig and her father, Cam. Cam will be going to Australia with Doig for just a couple weeks, 40 donors had provided her with $5150. "The costs of starting out as a young golf professional AMY McCLURE Sales Rep. 519-525-3988 Peas& _Visit vravw.se1Iiin9seaforth.zem FARM FOR SALE FARM FOR SALE MAUREEN WILDFONG Sales Rep. 519-525-9954 HURON ROAD, HURON EAST 38668 GLENS HILL ROAD, BELGRAVE 48 ACRES $790,000 MLS# 385663 $870,000 FARM FOR SALE FARM FOR SALE Iw f a e RIC'; 38443 ZION ROAD, WAWANOSH 35298 HAWKINS ROAD, GODERICH MLS# 370624 $480,000 70 ACRES $800,000 www.se ingsea ort .com are extremely high," said Doig. "However, I really believe that competing on the Australian LPGA and gaining more international experience will make a sig- nificant difference to my success:' Those funds will go to flights, a joining fee, food, accommodation, a rental car, equipment and tourna- ment entries. Doig's dad will be going with her as her caddy, so the expenses are for both of them. Doig has a number of titles to her name including Toronto Star Women's Ama- teur Champion in 2012, Ontario Women's Amateur Champion in 2014 and Ontario Women's Amateur Match Play Champion in both 2013 and 2014. Doig attended the Univer- sity of Central Florida where she majored in Sports Busi- ness Management and Com- munications with a minor in Coaching. She played on UCF's golf team for four years, and their team achieved a conference championship. At that point, Doig new she wanted to become a professional golfer and officially went profes- sional in August 2015. At that point last August, she held a fundraiser in Sea - forth featuring a comedian, food and auction to raise funds to start her career. However then she had lots of time to plan the event; now she just confirmed her Aus- tralia trip at the end of Octo- ber. She had heard of other girls in her position raising funds on Gofundme, and it seemed a good way to gather support on a tight timeline. She said it also "gets her name out there." The cam- paign has been shared over 200 times on Facebook. "I had no idea the response I would get [to the campaign] , said Doing. "Especially because it's Christmas and everyone is already on tighter budgets. But it's been amazing so far." She said she has been sup- ported by family and friends but also by acquaintances and friends of friends. Doig has tried out for the LPGA twice. She said she learned a lot from her first experience, and she missed advancing by just two shots on her second. "To get into the LPGA, you have to play as much as you possibly can," she said. "The more you play the more sta- tus you get and the more competition experience you get. Then you get noticed, sponsored, invited to bigger tournaments and basically work your way up to the LPGA tour." Doig said on her Gofundme page, "In order to get to the LPGA Tour, you must advance through three qualifying tourna- ments. Those who do not advance can compete on the Symetra Tour and reach the LPGA based on earn- ings throughout the year. Competing in Australia in the off season will help pre- pare me for the Symetra Tour which runs from March to October?' Doig said she loves golf because of all the opportuni- ties it has created for her. She loves being outside, not sitting in a desk, the compe- tition and that her entire family is involved in the game. 0 HEARTS' STROKE FOUNDATION ASSESS YOUR RISK - MAKE HEALTH LASTcA