Putting on the style
Reporter: Karen Doherty
Date published: 18 May 2010
THE Brits are renowned for talking about the weather. But you can be forgiven when you have swapped Royton for the Sunshine State.
That’s what teenager and former top amateur golfer Rachel Connor has done after moving to America to follow her dream of a professional career.
And she is also competing in the style stakes in the glamorous women’s game after landing a contract with golf and tennis sportswear firm Tail Activewear.
Based at the David Leadbetter IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, the 19-year-old is currently competing on the Duramed Futures Tour.
It prepares the world’s best young women professional golfers for the top-flight LPGA Tour and Rachel explained: “I went over originally in September for three months to see how I liked it.
“I really enjoyed it and I qualified for the futures tour. I returned in January and I have lived there since.”
While Florida is a holiday destination for most people, Rachel added: “It is all hard work, it is a lot harder work out there. We practise from seven to five every day.
“They don’t leave anything to chance because we also do fitness and physio.
“I love it. It is a bit of a shock to the system to come home to the weather. Right now it is about 92 there and 99 per cent humidity. It is very, very hot.
Rachel was back home to play in Friday’s charity event at Crompton and Royton Golf Club in aid of the Link 4 Pink Appeal supporting Oldham’s Victoria Breast Care Unit, Dr Kershaw’s Hospice and the Skin Deep Foundation. She teed-off with fellow former Our Lady’s pupil Craig Gazey who plays “Coronation Street” butcher Graeme Proctor.
The trip was hot on the heels of Rachel’s best result of the season when she finished tied 15th in the Historic Brownsville Open, taking her to 58th on the order of merit.
And in a sport which is becoming more and more fashion conscious — from stylish Michelle Wie to the colourful gear of Ian Poulter — it was also a chance to show off some of her Tail outfits.
But is is not just about looking good and Rachel explained: “I really feel comfortable in their clothing and if you feel good you play good.”
The golfer’s natural talent was evident when she first picked up a club at the age of 10, following in the footsteps of dad, Brian, and older brother, Scott, both professionals at Manchester Golf Club. while mum Geraldine played netball for England
Last year she was crowned England’s top amateur women’s player. Having spent three winters training in Orlando, her next decision was to turn professional.
“I could stay amateur at the top level and just plod along or I could take the risk and turn professional,” she said. “You have to make a lot of sacrifices. I am only 19 and I am living in America on my own with no family.”
The aim is is to finish in the top 25 of the futures tour, which also includes LPGA and European Tour players, while Rachel also has a qualifying event for the US open.
