Dream catchers
At 46 years old, golferTorri Hiett goes for the pros
By Mike Cox MWC423@bellsouth.net

Torri Hiett prepares for the 2008 season.

The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), fueled by an impressive group of young players, is extremely popular these days. Paula Creamer has a great game and coordinated pink outfits; Natalie Gulbis has fashion model looks and a reality TV show; Morgan Pressel has that kid sister demeanor we all find appealing. Then there's Torri Hiett from Columbia.

Hiett's father introduced her to the game at an early age. He built a practice green in the back yard so she could learn to putt. His membership at legendary Colonial Country Club in Texas taught proper etiquette and exposed her to world class golf when the PGA came to town each year.

Hiett won her first tournament at eleven, beating a 16- year- old in a nine hole match play event. She passed the Players Ability Test (PAT), the golf equivalent of the Bar Association, on her first try. And this past year she qualified for the Duramed Futures Tour which is a professional tour, but a minor league tour. She will have to do well in the Duramed Futures Tour to be able to play in the LPGA. the more money she makes the higher she can go.

With the support of her family, Hiett is chasing the dream to be a member of golf 's premier women's organization. The only difference between her and the other young lionesses is her age. Hiett is 46.

Her dad believed her natural athleticism and will to win would lead her to a life of competitive golf. But Hiett found softball, swimming, and soccer to be more exciting as a teenager. Her high school had no girl's golf team. She was a practice member of the boys' team but wasn't allowed to compete in matches.

Managing a sporting goods store and playing for a traveling softball team kept her busy for the next couple of decades until the company folded, and she found herself in South Carolina.

Hiett worked toward becoming a golf instructor. As her interest and exposure to golf increased, she found her game improving. Passing the PAT convinced Hiett golf could be more than a teaching job.

Although her dad was the one who exposed her to sports and golf in particular, it was her mom Evelyn who loved the game and wanted her to make a living there.

After her mother died, Hiett decided to become a professional golfer, and she decided she needed to hurry.

Financial and moral support from her family keeps her focused on improving her golf game. It's hard enough to succeed when things are in your favor, but when others are telling you you're too old to succeed, the mountains get harder to climb.

Just before teeing off for the final tournament this year, Hiett noticed a picture of her and her mother on her cell phone. A friend placed the photo to remind her how much faith her mother always had in her. She didn't win the tournament; this isn't Hollywood, but the reminder of life's important things kept her spirits up.

Hiett considers 2007 a learning experience rather than a setback. She is looking forward to 2008 and will use her first year's experience to her advantage. It could be the beginning of a dream come true.