Marissa Steen was dodging rain drops last week in California, waiting out an unusual deluge that shortened the Epson Tour’s Volvik Championship to a 36-hole conclusion. Steen tied for fifth on Monday, and coupled with a second at the season-opening Visit Gateway Mesa Classic stands third in the Volvik Race to the Card standings after two 2014 tournaments – a very successful start toward placing in the top 10 and earning a LPGA card in 2015.

Nearby, as she watched the downpour, Steen could find a unique moment that helped build her expectations for success. It is only a short drive from Industry Hills Golf Club in City of Industry, Calif., to Pasadena where Steen had one of her most memorable experiences. As a trumpet player in the Lakota West (Ohio) High School band, Steen was a part of trips to Hawaii, Chicago and, as a senior in 2008, the ultimate, the Tournament of Roses Parade.

“It was a cool experience, my first time in California,” the 5-foot-7 blonde said. “My dad plays in a jazz band back in my hometown, Cincinnati. So music is definitely a part of me. I try to keep up playing when I’m home or have an opportunity.”

The chance to play is secondary now as Steen, 24, moves closer to playing on the top women’s tour in the world. Growing up in suburban Cincinnati, early sports passions were softball – a Reds baseball influence – and soccer. When Steen gave up soccer as a seventh grader, her father, a General Electric employee, directed Marissa and older sister Laura to GE Park, an executive course where greens fees were cheap and young players could learn the game during the summer. She found an attraction in the individual element of golf.

By her high school freshman year, as she played in the high school band, golf was a growing competitive interest. Teammates spurred her on.

“I was so lucky in high school that I had a good group of girls that were older to play with,” Steen said. “There were six or seven of us, some who played Division I in college. We were really competitive.”

A college career at the University of Memphis grew that passion even further. By the time she was set to graduate in 2012 as an all-Conference USA selection with multiple academic honors and a degree in Sports Management, trying the LPGA Qualifying Tournament was the next goal.

“I didn’t have any professional experience, so I was flying under the radar,” Steen said. “I figured what have I got to lose?”

She made it the second stage of Q-School and earned status on the Epson Tour in 2012. The progression has seen her move from 34th in 2012 to 16th last year. She has also finished second three times in her career, including two playoff losses – the first coming in her second career start and the other a seven-hole marathon at the 2013 Four Winds Invitational that Cydney Clanton ended with a birdie. Steen made all pars in the playoff in South Bend, Ind.

“I’ve come close to getting my card and winning,” Steen said. “Accuracy and consistency are what got me here. I usually hit a lot of greens in regulation. But I’ve really worked on my putting in the offseason to take the next step. I’ve put myself through a lot of drills.

“I’ve always been the type of person who does as much preparation as possible – whether it be working out or practicing. If I feel good about my practice routine, I usually feel good about my chances in tournaments. Those are the values that my parents taught me, to work for it.”

As a result, don’t be surprised if a shiny professional golf trophy is soon sitting beside the Rose Bowl memorabilia.

This week is all about Marissa Steen

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