European adventure awaits Melissa

SCH: How does this achievement rank in terms of a career highlight?

ME: It feels as good as when I won for the first time on the Symetra Tour in 2013. Q-school is such a mentally challenging and draining week. It’s so different to a normal tournament in terms of the pressure you feel.

To earn full status is so important because it paves the way for my 2015 year and I don’t have to worry about not knowing what events I’ll get into.

SCH: Just how tough was it to obtain your card?

ME: This year, we had the strongest field yet at the LET tour school. I had to firstly qualify through first stage which was four rounds, and then play final stage the week after which was five rounds with practice rounds in between.

It’s extremely draining but at the end of it it was most rewarding to finish in that Top 30.

SCH: Why have you chosen this option as opposed to going for the LPGA?

ME: I spent the last five years pursuing the LPGA through the Symetra Tour and although I almost did obtain my LPGA card last year, I felt I needed a change and I’ve been wanting to relocate back to SA for some time now.

I’m very close to my family, and I never felt 100 percent happy in the States as it can become quite lonely. I never could quite call anywhere home. I moved back in July, and I’m already so much happier.

SCH: What have been the toughest obstacles you have had to overcome to get where you are now?

ME: I’ve had a lot of major changes in my personal life that I believe have affected my results. However, I also believe my experiences have shaped me in ways that can only help me in my career going forward. I’m a much stronger, and confident person. Mentally, I try to be aware of the ‘faulty’ thoughts I may be having that are affecting my results, whether good or bad and build on those.

SCH: How long do you think it will be before you win on the LET?

ME: I strongly believe I can win on the LET in 2015.

SCH: You are something of an unknown but some believe you could be SA’s number 1 player. Do you agree?

ME: That’s great to hear and it’s a big goal for me for next year, especially with the Olympics in 2016 around the corner. I admire Lee-Anne Pace greatly and hope to be her biggest competition in 2015.

SCH: Any interesting incidents on the course in recent times?

ME: Actually, during the first stage of LET tour school during my first round, I had a hole-in-one. I hit a perfect 5-iron, straight on target which pitched once and went into the hole. I was ecstatic. It’s my third one to date. In fact my last hole-in-one was also with a 5-iron.

SCH: Best advice (mom) Colleen Eaton has given you that no one else has?

ME: My mom never stops giving me great advice! Prior to leaving for Morocco for Q-school she told me to ‘trust my feel’ as all the preparation had been done.

SCH: Have you ever broken a club?

ME: I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I have ‘accidentally’ bent a putter out of anger! I felt like a real fool after so I will never do that again.

SCH: Any other pro golfers, past or present, out there who have a twin, that you know of?

ME: I’ve heard of brothers and sisters, but no twins.

SCH: Favourite TV show?

ME: Two and a Half Men, or anything similar. Anything that really makes me laugh hard.

SCH: What drives or inspires you?

ME: My dream is to play the best golf I can, to set records, to be the best at it. Success drives me.

SCH: Hardest criticism you have had to deal with?

ME: It’s not really criticism towards me, but one thing that’s always been tough being a twin, is the constant ‘comparing’ and judging who is better than who.

However, as much as Nikki and I have always been competitive, we have only ever wanted to see each other succeed.

SCH: If not golf, what career would you have chosen?

ME: I think I would’ve loved to have been involved in fashion or design

SCH: Ever been disqualified?

ME: Thankfully no. I’m usually very thorough, however.

SCH: Tell us something about yourself people may not know?

ME: I have some ‘small’ body ink (tattoo). That’s all I’m saying!

SCH: Favourite course?

ME: The White Witch in Rosehall, Jamaica.

SCH: Anything else you would like to say?

ME: Thanks to family, friends and people in my life who have believed, supported and helped me along the way. God has blessed me in so many ways.