May 6, 2006
Washington, D.C. - Connie Isler, Georgetown University's Acting Head Coach for Women's Golf, recently finished her first season at the helm of the Hoyas. Isler, a 2005 graduate who was part of the first recruiting class for the program, led the Hoyas to three tournament wins during the spring season and to a runner-up finish at the BIG EAST Tournament last month.
Now, about two weeks after the Georgetown season ended, Isler is back on the links herself, as she plays her first professional tournament this weekend, competing in the IOS Futures Classic in El Paso, Texas. Isler will be playing on the Futures Tour, which includes more than 300 golfers from 27 nations and is considered "the road to the LPGA."
Isler shared her thoughts as she prepared for Friday's first round, in which she posted an 11-over par 83.
"It was just 12 years ago... I was 10-years old, and the little girl on the driving range jumping up and down for joy seeing the little golf ball fly so vicariously through the air after several attempts. I couldn't stop smiling and wanted to do it over and over again just to see the ball fly. It was the first time I had picked up the stick, and I knew instantly that I had fallen in love with golf...
"My freshman year in high school, I tried out for the men's golf team and made it basically because I was the only girl to ever try out. My score for the nine-hole tournament, not 18, was 68. Although I loved the game, I told my parents it would probably be a better idea for me to play soccer.
"Their perseverance led me to try for another year for the golf team. I hit balls for hours on end during the summer before my sophomore year and got my nine-hole average down to 45, and by the time I graduated high school, my average was 38 and had an undefeated match play record. My dream college, Georgetown, coincidentally was starting its inaugural year for the women's golf team and I was recruited to become a Hoya...
"My dream to become a professional golfer became closer and closer. I finished my senior year co-winning the Big East, and I was determined to go the qualifying school that fall for the Duramed Futures Tour, the official developmental tour for the LPGA.
"So here I am, out in El Paso, Texas my first professional event ready to tee it up and give it a go. Bunch of desert wild life, cacti, and drinking endless Gatorades ... needless to say it is really hot and sunny here.
"I am very excited for this tour, playing in the most competitive field I have ever played in.
"I am thankful to have the support from my family, people involved to enhance my game, and of course the Hoyas. So we'll what happens. After this, I go to Tucson for another event, and return back to DC, for a little break....Til then, Ciao.
