Worth the risk

I quit my job on September 8th, 2008 to be able to spend more time with my daughter and train. My daughter is 4 years old, and we live with my parents in Arkansas. After my wife passed away this summer we moved in with mom & dad so that I could have help with Abby Lynn. I was working as a manager for Dillard's Department Store and the hours do not fit in well with being a single parent.

I have managed to put myself into a financial situation where I can take some time off. I spend the work day on the golf course, sharpening my skills, then pick up my daughter from day care so that I can spend more time with her. I also work out at a local wellness center 3 or 4 days a week.

I'm taking a pretty big chance. I've walked away from a job where I made good money to pursue something with no guaranteed income. The potential, however, is huge. I don't need to be reminded of what an amazing opportunity I have right now. A little money coming in, almost none going out, and time to focus and take my shot. For years I have watched friends or college competitors take their stab at playing for a living. A couple made it. Most did not. But I have also had to watch as a few of them just didn't want to work hard enough to get there when they were given the opportunity. I have a friend from Texas who was an amazing player. She had tons of financial support from people in her home town. I was so jealous for years because of the opportunity she had to take time off and play. I was frustrated to watch her fail. Not because she wasn't good enough, but because she would rather party and drink beer all night, then try and compete in the morning. I watched her throwing away an opportunity I would have loved to have had. Now that I have my own, I will not waste it.

Not sure yet when I'll start playing tournaments...I'm still out of shape. I'm playing very well but I'm not ready to walk 18 holes every day yet. My body would give out. Hopefully in another month or two I'll have gotten into better condition. There is a tournament in October that I have my eye on. Not a big purse...first place only pays about $10,000. But it's a 54 hole event and I don't think there is a cut. I can play 3 good days of competition in a row which will be good for me, even if I'm not in the money at the end of the week.