As an athlete, it is one thing to have your family and friends supporting you as you work to achieve your goals. Having the support of your community makes it that much better. This week at the Gateway Classic at Longbow Golf Club, one valley resident is getting that support.
Chandler resident Jessi White has been on the LPGA’s Symetra Tour since 2010 and in that span, she has received four top-10 finishes. She was given one of the Tournament’s sponsor exemptions to compete and it’s an opportunity for her to get things rolling for 2015.
“It means a great deal,” White told Sports360AZ.com. “Being out here in a state that I have lived in for the last six years, getting a chance to play in front of friends that I have made here and it’s an opportunity for me to get full status on the Symetra Tour this year and hopefully get on the LPGA this next year.”
White grew up in Washington and played collegiately at Oregon State before making Arizona her home during her pursuit of her life-ling dream of playing on the LPGA Tour. She has competed in this tournament the last several years and is hoping the confidence she can gain from her familiarity with this course can help get her off on the right foot.
“With my four top-ten’s, I feel I have experience,” White explained. “So playing here, knowing where to hit the shots, where to make the best puts from, knowing all that it just makes it really nice to play here.”
In addition to try and further herself and her playing career this week, White is also representing a local business that she is very involved with. 2nd Girl Golf, which is associated with 2nd Guy Golf, is a golf apparel company that donates 100% of it’s profits to charities. Former Arizona Diamondbacks Pitcher Russ Ortiz is the founder of this company. White will be wearing be the lone golfer in the tournament that will be in 2nd Girl Golf from head to toe putting this up and coming clothing brand on display.
“They are all about giving back which is something I hold on to and grasp and love what they mean and represent,” mentioned White. “They have great quality products. Their shirts just look awesome on everyone.”
“I am actually designing three shirts for the fall season that I am really excited about and I get to pick the charity that they go to,” she added. “I haven’t yet decided but it is just such an awesome opportunity. I mean, how often do you get to buy something and you know that what you are buying goes back and helps other people in this world.”
White played with another former Arizona Diamondback, Ian Kennedy in Wednesday’s Pro Am before kicking off her torunement. She tee’s off to begin her 2015 Gateway Classic at 7:30am on Friday morning.
