White picks up impressive Symetra Tour victory in her quest for the LPGA
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (BVM) — Sarah White has always been destined for a career in golf. Her lifelong dream has been to play on the LPGA Tour, and with every passing day, that dream becomes more and more of a reality.聽
A few weeks ago, White competed in her first Symetra Tour event — the tour just below the LPGA. Many might be content with a top-10 or top-20 finish, but White has a special mindset thanks to her prior athletic career. She set out to win the tournament, and did just that after making a birdie on the final hole. The win has completely changed her career.
White has been golfing for the last 18 years of her life, first picking up the game after seeing her older brother attend a golf camp. Throughout her career, the 23-year-old has always been attracted by the constant pursuit of getting better within the sport.
Growing up, White played on the Meijer Junior Player Tour. Through her youth, she won multiple player of the year awards, while often posting top scoring averages among her age group. By the time she entered East Kentwood High School, White was destined for stardom.
While golfing for the Falcons, White put her talents on display right away, placing second individually at state in her freshman year. By her senior year, she became an individual state champion — making a 55-foot putt to win the tournament — while also helping her team to a state title.
鈥淓very year I went to the state finals,鈥� White said. 鈥淏ut senior year I won and our team won. Just being able to have that memory and experience that with my team is really good. Golf is mainly a solo sport so sharing a memory like that with a team is really cool and I know that a lot of my past teammates are going to remember that for a long time.鈥�
But golf was not White鈥檚 only sport while growing up or in high school. She was a hockey player as well, again drawn into the sport by her brother. She began playing on the ice at age 5, competing against boys her entire career. White specifically enjoyed the fast pace, competitiveness, and added challenge of being a female in a predominantly male sport.
鈥淚 have a lot of fond memories of playing ice hockey,鈥� White said. “But one of the best is when I would take off my helmet and everyone is like, 鈥榯hat鈥檚 a girl!鈥欌��
At East Kentwood, White played two years of varsity hockey, becoming the first girl at the school to do so since the 1970s. The golf star played in the net on the ice, and was not alone. Dawn Falo also joined White as a girl on the team, and also played goalie. Ultimately, White enjoyed her time on the ice in high school, and hopes she and Falo have helped pave the way for girls to follow in their footsteps.
鈥淚 loved playing boys ice hockey in high school,鈥� White said. 鈥淚鈥檓 a big supporter of women in sports so it鈥檚 a cool story and my teammates always knew I was up for the challenge. I think we showed that girls can play with the boys and do whatever they put their minds to.鈥�
The decade-plus of playing on the ice has also helped White on the golf course both physically and mentally. The 23-year-old is known for her long drives on the links, and credits the physical training from hockey for her power. She also notes that she developed mental toughness on the ice, which has spilled over to golf — a very psychological game at times.
Initially, White continued her golf career in college at Western Michigan University. She had several offers from Big Ten schools, as well as some offers from schools out east and in the south. But she was sold on Western Michigan thanks to coach Stacy Snider, who is also a Grand Rapids, Mich., native and a former LPGA Tour player.
White loved her first year playing for the Broncos. But after Snider would take an assistant coaching position at Ohio State University, White looked to transfer to a different school. Snider referred White to check out Texas State University. The star golfer loved the campus right away and was sold on continuing her golf career in the south.
Playing for the Bobcats, White鈥檚 career continued to excel. As a senior, White held a scoring average of 74.97, earning two top-five finishes while sinking 80 birdies — good for seventh on the program鈥檚 all-time single-season list. The power hitter also finished her tenure at Texas State with a school-record nine eagles.
In 2018, the summer before White鈥檚 senior season, the golfer won a local qualifier to earn a spot in the U.S. Women鈥檚 Amateur. Although she missed the cut thanks to just a couple bad holes, it was a great overall experience.
鈥淧laying in that was just an awesome and eye-opening experience,鈥� White explained. 鈥淭o play with some of those girls from all around the world was great. Even though I didn鈥檛 play great for a couple holes I was right in it and it was a really good experience.鈥�
Since graduating from Texas State, White has begun playing in professional tournaments on her quest to become a member on the LPGA Tour, primarily on the Women鈥檚 All Pro Tour. In the six pro events she has played, White has finished with a top-20, a top-10, and two top-fives. But her greatest accomplishment so far in the game of golf was her first professional win at the Founders Tribute just a few weeks ago.
The Founders Tribute was the first Symetra Tour event that White had the chance to compete in. After finishing fifth at a qualifying event for the tournament, White earned her spot and aimed to play the best she could.聽
鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 super nervous,鈥� White said. 鈥淚 just wanted to go out and play golf. It was an incredible opportunity and obviously I wanted to win it but my first goal was to just play well and make the cut.鈥�
After making the cut, White found herself in second place going into the final round.
What an amazing opportunity I have through @WAPTGolf !!! One more day tomo. Chance to get the W!!!
— Sarah 鉀筹笍 (@Sarah_White39)
The night before the final round, she had a dream that she would make a winning putt on the final hole to win the tournament. Turns out, dreams do come true.
White remained calm in her final round considering it was her first event at this level, and being able to control her nerves helped her as she approached the final holes. On the par-5, 18th hole at Longbow Golf Club, White gained confidence on the tee from the motivation her caddie — brother, Brett White — gave her.聽
By the time Sarah got up to the green, she was able to see the leaderboard, where she realized she was tied with two other players. With a five-foot birdie putt standing in front of her, Sarah had a chance to win it all in her first Symetra Tour event — and she did just that.
鈥淚 looked at the hole and at that point I was nervous and shaking,鈥� Sarah said about the putt on 18. 鈥淚 made it and it was just an amazing feeling. It was like a deep breath of fresh air. It was always a dream of mine to go out and do that. I went out there and was proud to show that I can do this and do whatever I put my mind to. I stayed within myself and stuck to my game plan and it all worked out in the end. It was fantastic.鈥�
And just like that … my dreams came true.
— Sarah 鉀筹笍 (@Sarah_White39)
Right after the victory, Sarah earned and accepted full status on the Symetra Tour through 2021. Being thrown into the fire of the new tour, Sarah has had to adjust on the fly over the last couple weeks. But she now has a set schedule and is looking forward to competing in future events on the tour.
In her second Symetra Tour event at the IOA Championship the following week, Sarah produced another impressive finish, tying for ninth. She hopes to keep her hot play going throughout the rest of the year, and knows her future goals are within site.
鈥淢y goals for the rest of this year are to make every putt and if I end up winning, great,鈥� Sarah explained. 鈥淚鈥檓 just going to keep this momentum going through 2021 and hopefully I can make it on to the LPGA Tour fairly soon.鈥�
Competing on the LPGA Tour has always been the ultimate dream for Sarah ever since she started playing golf. She believes she could compete on the highest stage in women鈥檚 golf as soon as next year, but also realizes it will take a lot of hard work and effort to get there. But after seeing what the budding golf star has already accomplished, it is hard to not expect her name amongst LPGA players soon.
鈥淚鈥檝e wanted to be a pro golfer since 18 years ago and being able to say I鈥檓 a pro golfer now is very humbling,鈥� Sarah said. 鈥淭o get to the LPGA I just have to keep working and doing what I鈥檓 doing. As far as I know, I can do whatever I put my mind to and that鈥檚 what I鈥檓 going to keep doing.鈥�
