Elizabeth Stuart
West Palm Beach, Fla.
Hometown: Tampa, Fla.
Birthdate: 9/13/81
College: Florida International University
Interests: Lounging on the beach and
Tampa Bay Buccaneer football
Family: Single
View Elizabeth Stuart's Bio Video
View Elizabeth Stuart's Swing Video
People who have been forced to scrape, save and fight for everything in life tend to have an edge about them. Elizabeth Stuart has that edge. She also has talent, which may enable her to overcome financial obstacles that have hindered a promising career.
Raised by her Mother, the tone of financial struggles were set early as the two would change apartments as the bills mounted and expenses had to be trimmed. Although absent in the home, Stuart’s dad played a pivotal role in her life when he introduced her to golf at the age of 10. Having never played, he bought books to study and teach her the game. It sounds story book. Dad takes daughter to the golf course and she becomes a potential LPGA star. But this is not yet a Disney fairy tale.
“When I got serious about golf he really started pushing me,” said Stuart. “He was hard on me and wanted to see me become successful.”
He never had the chance. While in college, Stuart’s father passed away only a month after being diagnosed with cancer in his esophagus, leaving her with conflicting emotions about their relationship.
“I can’t stress how much I owe my father and wish he was still here to see everything that has happened in my career,” said Stuart. “In some ways, though, I don’t miss him. He was always on my case, but if it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t even be playing golf.”
Along with her father, the Urban Junior Golf program, which later became the First Tee Program, deserves credit for Stuart’s success. While other talented teens traveled to tournaments outside the city and state, she honed her game in the grass-roots program at Rodgers Park Golf Course in Tampa. The work paid off as she earned a full scholarship to the University of Georgia and was a member of the NCAA championship team her freshman year. After a coaching change before her sophomore season, Stuart transferred to Florida International University to finish the remainder of her collegiate career.
Finances once again dictated Stuart’s course of action after college. With neither income nor savings, Stuart became a bartender in South Beach for two years to make some “quick cash.” The situation wasn’t ideal as Ocean Drive in South Beach is a stretch of road that seldom leads to the LPGA. In Stuart’s case, though, it afforded the luxury of time.
“My back was against the wall and it was bartending or I don’t know what,” Stuart said. “I don’t regret the time I spent bartending. If I had not spent time waffling around Ocean Drive, then I might not have found the drive to finally get my act together and really get the golf thing going. Everything I have done in my life has been for a reason. I believe that every moment of your life molds you into the person you become.”
After recommitting to the game, Stuart competed on the Duramed FUTURES Tour the last two seasons and secured a playing card for 2008. Like the past several winters, she once again caddied in West Palm Beach while hoping that her sponsor decides to support her for another year.
Of course, should Stuart win Big Break Ka’anapali, she will be able to play next year without carrying a financial burden, and that most certainly would be a welcomed change of pace.
Click to See What’s in the Bag
| Club | Name | ||
| Driver: | Ping G5 | ||
| Woods: | 3 Series Taylor Made | ||
| Hybrids: | Cleveland Halo 3 | ||
| Irons: | RAC LT Taylor Made | ||
| Wedges: | Cleveland CG10 58 & 62° |
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| Putter: | C Groove | ||
| Ball: | Titleist Pro VI |
