Catching Up With Dori Carter

Oct. 8, 2010

By Kim Ling
Associate Athletics Media Relations Director

Dori Carter left her mark on the Ole Miss women's golf program, setting numerous records and earning All-America honors twice. Now, she is getting paid to do what she loves best - play golf.

While finishing up her degree in the fall of 2010, Carter began preparing for her future. She qualified for the LPGA Futures Tour in her first attempt. Carter said she wasn't sure what to expect her first year as a professional golfer and just wanted to play well.

"I wanted to get my card and play on the LPGA Tour immediately. But I just really wanted to adjust well and get used to the lifestyle," Carter said. "It took some time. Those first few tournaments were tough, trying to play golf, and be your own travel agent. I settled down and started playing really good golf."

As a collegiate golfer, Carter had several runner-up finishes before she finally broke through and won her first tournament during her senior year. It didn't take long for Carter to win her first professional title. Carter captured the Pennsylvania Classic in August, winning by one shot over 2010 Pac-10 Golfer of the Year Jennifer Song.

"It was so cool. It was the first time I had ever been in the final group (as a professional), so I was a little nervous at first. Likely one of the three of us was going to win the tournament. But it was fun. It came down to the last couple of holes, which made it even more exciting. I got off to a slow start, so I was a little disappointed in myself. I hung in there, didn't give up and really played well on the last three holes when it really counted. When I finally tapped in (on 18) it hit me 'wow I just won the tournament.'"

As she stated, Carter's main goal was to play well during her first year, but after winning her first tournament, her focus changed.

"Winning a tournament was huge. Once I won the tournament, my goals shifted to trying to get my card. I was so close to getting my card, so it really motivated me to play well at the end," she said.

Carter came into the final tournament of the year in September in 14th place on the money list. She knew it would take a top finish to earn her card. Carter went into the final round tied for the lead. Unfortunately, she couldn't hang on, but still ended up with her fifth top-10 finish of the season and third in a row.

"There was added weight to that day, because of what one day could do for me. I tried not to think too much about it," Carter said. "It should never have come down to something that like. I would rather have been playing consistent all year. I wanted it too much, and I think I just put a little too much pressure on myself. It was a tough day. I did not get it going, so unfortunately I watched my friend, Cindy (LaCrosse), win the tournament. I am glad she won it. We're pretty close."

By finishing 14th on the money list, Carter earned exemption to the final stage of LPGA Tour Qualifying School in December. That saved her thousands of dollars.

In addition, she became one of two recipients of the second annual Pete Lorentzen Grant for LPGA Q-School. The grant is a fund established by the family of the late Pete Lorentzen of Duluth, Ga. Prior to his death, Lorentzen was an executive at United Parcel Service (UPS) in Atlanta and an avid fan and supporter of women's golf.

"It's given to a Futures Tour player every year as a memorial to him. He was sponsoring a Futures Tour player (Courtney Trimble) before he died unexpectedly," Carter said. "In memory of him, they created a grant worth $6,000. Last year was the first year they awarded it. This year there are two of us who won it. So we each get $3,000. It's a great way to honor him and help out Futures Tour players."

Since the Futures Tour wrapped up Carter has been enjoying some time with family and friends. She made her way back to Oxford last week to visit her college coach and teammates.

"I've taken the last three or four weeks to catch up on visiting friends and relaxing a little bit. I went non-stop for about six months, so it's nice to take a little break. That's over. Now I have to start getting ready for Q-School. Between now and then I am living at home in Valdosta (Georgia) and playing and practicing. I've got a couple of tournaments between now and then on a mini tour down in Florida that will help me get ready for qualifying in December."

The top 20 finishers at Q-School get full status on the LPGA Tour, while the top 40 get some status.

"It's been a great experience," Carter said. "I am hoping that because of my first year success, I can take what I've learned this past year, qualify for the tour and then start playing well immediately on the LPGA Tour."

The University of Mississippi Athletics

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