Former LPGA golfer makes transition to coaching

With the Big Sky golf championship on the horizon, Kaimin sports editor Amber Kuehn chatted with Leslie Spalding, former LPGA golfer and Montana native. Spalding spoke about her first season as head golf coach at Montana State and her experiences as a golfer.

Kuehn: First of all, tell me about how your first season as coach at MSU has been?

A: It’s been great. It was a big learning curve for me because I’d never done it before. It was interesting, dealing with NCAA rules and day-to-day life in the snow of Bozeman, where trying to practice golf makes it difficult.

Kuehn: You left Montana temporarily. What inspired you to come back to the Treasure State?

A: I’ve always loved Montana, but I knew that for playing golf I had to be in warm weather, and when I was growing up I always wanted to live in Florida. I went to school in Alabama and then gave golf a try in Florida. Things worked out playing golf on tour; I stayed there for 12 years, but always knew Montana was home. By the way, until October I was always a Grizzly fan. But now I’m a Bobcat. Bobby Hauck was my student teacher when I was at Billings Senior High in a typing class.

Kuehn: What led you to become a coach?

A: I had retired from the LPGA tour in December 2005, so in 2006 and 2007 I was teaching golf in Billings and also trying to figure out where I wanted to go with my career. I thought I wanted to be an entrepreneur and own a restaurant but realized that golf is where I want to be, and I have a passion for kids. I’m actually the interim coach so we could figure out if it’s something I like, but I intend to apply again because I really enjoy it.

Kuehn: What is your favorite thing about golf, and what makes it unique from all the other sports?

A: It is the biggest inner challenge you can find. It’s the toughest game that I think you can play. Combining athletic talent and mental tenacity is what makes golf so great. Aside from just practicing the physical aspects there is so much more to it, with nutrition and the mental side. If you give up, you’re going to get what you ask for. It’s the biggest challenge to play in the present and take your emotions out of the game.

Kuehn: What advice do you have for anyone looking to pick up the game?

A: Don’t have high expectations; it’s a very hard game to start. Just keep patient. I’m a big proponent of making the game fun no matter what. Try and find a mentor or somebody who can kind of carry you along and keep you going. If you don’t have that inner passion it takes a little bit to get it and once you do you’re hooked for life.

Kuehn: How did you first get involved with golf and how old were you when you first began playing?

A: I was 13 and I started because my dad joined a club in Billings for business. No one in my family is athletic at all. I was the type who would hit tennis balls against the garage by myself because there was no one to play with, and next thing you know I’m getting a full-ride scholarship to Alabama for golf.

Kuehn: What was the most memorable tournament you ever played in and why?

A: The 1998 US Open at Blackwolf Run in Wisconsin. It was because I never really believed that I belonged and when I got there I played a couple practice rounds. It’s the hardest course I’ve ever played in my life so I was stressed out. I ended up going out and sitting on the 18th green by myself, and it was just a great aura. And I ended up leading for the first 18 holes and was in third after that round. It was great because I realized I actually could compete on the LPGA tour. The best part about it was seeing my name on this humongous leaderboard. To see it there, (as I was) walking up the 18th, I’ll never ever forget.

Kuehn: When you were playing in high school and college, did you ever dream you’d play professionally?

A: No. definitely not. I knew that I had it in me to give it a try and see. When I first moved to Florida I was working as an assistant pro, working six hours a day, and every other hour I was practicing.

Kuehn: What was the best piece of advice anyone ever gave you?

A: I have a favorite quote. Bear Bryant (the former Alabama football coach), he died before I got there, but he said, “If you believe in yourself and have dedication and pride and never quit, you’ll be a winner. The price of victory is high but so are the rewards.”

Kuehn: Who is the most famous golfer you’ve ever met, and a golfer you’d like to meet someday but haven’t yet?

A: Jim Furyk is the most famous golfer that I’ve met. And Annika Sorenstam and Lorena Ochoa. I’ve played with them a few times. I would like to meet Tiger Woods.

Kuehn: What was it like playing in charity Pro-Am events the past nine years?

A: That’s the best, just because you get to see where money goes. One of the best I played in was a breast cancer Pro-Am in New Jersey, and it raises like a half million dollars a year. So they brought in three ladies that were going to die of breast cancer, all younger than 30, and they spoke about what the tournament meant to them. I just think that being in touch with a charity is so important.