A MONTH IN COLORADO SKIING HAS WEARN MENTALLY READY FOR YEAR
Laura Wearn had a strong 2016 season, which included her first career win in Atlanta at the Gosling’s Dark ‘n Stormy® Classic. She finished 32nd on the final Volvik Race for the Card money list. It was especially impressive considering she missed nearly all of 2015 after back surgery.

She opened 2017 with a 4-under, 68 that included an eagle on the par-5 18th. Wearn averaged 285 yards per drive on Friday. She finished third on Tour last year with an average driving distance of 272 yards.

Wearn and her family spent a full month of the offseason in Steamboat Springs, Colorado skiing.

“I grew up skiing, that was always our family vacation for a week, I just love being outdoors,” said Wearn, who doesn’t avoid going down some of the steepest slopes. “The last few years, we’ve started staying a little bit longer and this year there was 125 feet of snow in a month so it was just awesome. It’s a good way to take a break from golf.”

In mid-January, she returned to start preparing for the 2017 season.

“Last year was a bit up and down, I noticed that when I putted well I played a lot better,” said a matter of fact Wearn. “I spent a lot of time working on my putting and short game to try and get up and down more often. The biggest thing from last year was just realizing that I can compete out here.”

AJGA WINNER BROOKE SEAY IN HUNT
She’s only 16 and is missing high school classes this week, but Brooke Seay (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.) isn’t playing like her age as she posted a 2-under, 70 on Friday to stand in a tie for sixth.

“I’m really pleased with how I played today, my game wasn’t perfect,” said Seay, who made six birdies on the day. “The front nine was a little up and down, but by the back nine I was playing really well and making putts.”

Seay earned an exemption into the Florida’s Natural Charity Classic by winning the ANNIKA Invitational on the AJGA.

“It has been a really great experience so far and I want to thank the AJGA, the Epson Tour and Annika for giving me this opportunity,” said Seay. “I’ve got the chance to meet some of the players and see how everyone practices and what it is like to be a professional. It is pretty exciting to see how good my game can be and these last few weeks have given me a lot of confidence.”

TORONTO’S TONG PLAYING JUST SECOND WEEK ON GRASS
Some players spend the offseason in warm weather climates while others prefer to stay at home regardless of climate. Elizabeth Tong, who carded a 2-under, 70, is playing on grass for only the second week this year.

“You can’t really see the ball flight indoors, which actually helps you focus on your swing,” said Tong, who prefers the glass half full approach. “So many times when you are outside, you base everything on where the ball goes. Being able to focus on the swing and getting that completely right is important.”

The second-year professional is looking to improve upon 80th on the Volvik Race for the Card money list as a rookie in 2016.

“I want to focus on a more consistent swing and not tinkering over the course of the season,” said Tong, who made six birdies on Friday. “I really worked on putting and short game because that is where you can really improve.”

Tong, who is one of 11 Canadians in the field, says that golf and hockey fit perfectly and it’s no surprise that no other country outside the U.S. has more representatives.

“You play hockey in the winter and go do golf in the summer,” explained Tong. “It’s a really good release. When it gets warm in Canada, people don’t want to be inside.”

NA SPENT TWO MONTHS IN THAILAND AFTER TOUGH YEAR ON LPGA
Grace Na (Alameda, Calif.) had a tough first season on the LPGA. After the season, she took a two-month golf training trip to Thailand to prepare for 2017 on the Epson Tour.

It was intense. She woke up at 6:30 a.m. six days a week and then played 20 holes a day starting at 7:30. After lunch, she would practice from 2:00-6:00 p.m. After practice she would eat dinner and then practice again from 7:30-8:30.

“I was with my dad (instructor) for a really long time and I had help along the way, but it was nothing really over the top professional,” explained Na as to why she decided to go to Thailand. “I was given this opportunity to try this golf boot camp in Thailand and I was like ‘sure why not’ and so my phone was off for two months. It was wake up and golf and sleep and eat and then repeat.”

Na credits coach Han with helping retool her game and confidence. She posted a 2-under, 70 on Friday and stands in a tie for sixth.

“I was introduced to coach Han by Hyo Joo Kim and it was a really good experience,” said Na. “I met coach Han one time at the KPMG event on the LPGA when I was an alternate. He definitely tweaked some the fundamentals of my swing, but he also gave me new perspective on golf.”

Na said that instead of being a perfectionist, she is zoned in on “hitting and moving on”.

Further, even after a tough season on the LPGA, she was still ready to get to work.

“I told myself that if I could get through a bad year, I can get through a lot of other things,” said Na. “I just want to be a better player and continue to compete.”

QUICK HITS

2016 winner Natalie Sheary is in fourth place after a 3-under, 69.
No. 66 in the world, Nanna Koerstz Madsen, carded a 2-under, 70 with four birdies.
11 countries are represented in the top 20 after day one.
A total of 29 players shot under-par on Friday.

Wearn Mentally Ready for Year, Tong Playing Second Week on Grass and More from Winter Haven

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