Al Lopez. Stan Musial. Ted Williams. Wade Boggs. Gen. Tommy Franks. Jon Gruden. Gov. Charlie Crist. Brittany Lincicome.
Brittany Lincicome?
Indeed, the 23-year-old golfer from Seminole – had it not been for a scheduling conflict – would have had her name added to the distinguished short list of athletic, military and political luminaries who have thrown out the ceremonial first pitch at a Tampa Bay Rays’ home opener.
It’s what happens when a home town athlete delivers on one of the world’s biggest sports stages: a Ladies Professional Golf Association major tournament. There are only four – and she won the year’s first, the Kraft Nabisco Championship at Rancho Mirage, Calif., two weeks ago. In fact, she became the first American winner in the past six majors.
Moreover, she didn’t just “win” it – and the $300,000 check that came with it. She made ESPN highlights with a dramatic eagle on the final hole to win by one shot. Her 210-yard approach on the 72nd hole left her four feet from the hole.
“It was by far the best golf shot I’ve ever hit,” assesses Lincicome.
And whatever is next best has likely faded from memory. For the previous year and a half, Lincicome had been unable to get out of the rough career-wise. She struggled to make cuts, let alone win. She felt guilty about letting down her sponsors.
“I felt like an amateur golfer,” recalls Lincicome. “What a roller-coaster. I was terrible.”
Prior to that, she had been one of the LPGA’s glamour girls. By 21, she had won the 2006 World Match Play Championship and the 2007 Ginn Open. She had also been runner-up that year at the Kraft Nabisco and was chosen for the prestigious Solheim Cup that biennially matches American and European golfers. Her earnings had already surpassed the million-dollar mark. And Time magazine had referred to the attractive, statuesque (5’10”) Lincicome as a “blond, blue-eyed beauty.”
What had happened to the athletic, long-hitting Lincicome — who had seemed on course for greatness since she was a scholastic star on the BOYS golf team at Seminole High School? To the affable, winsome golfer who seemed the quintessential LPGA marketing avatar?
It was a combination of factors, some physical, such as wrist and back issues, some psychological. She wasn’t, for example, as disciplined in the off season as she should have been.
“I took too much time in the off season,” she acknowledges. “I bought a boat. I was on it every day. I switched coaches.” And caddies.
And when things didn’t go well in a tournament – on a given shot or a particular hole – she became her own, nerve-fraying worst enemy. It was hard to stay competitive on such a slippery composure slope.
“It used to be when I would hit a bad shot, I would get down on myself,” explains Lincicome. “Then I would have four or five bad holes. I had a hard time letting go.”
So, how did she regain control?
Enter a new caddy, Tara Bateman, who was weaning herself off the arduous, tournament-circuit travel, but agreed to help out as a short-timer. Bateman introduced her to Vision 54, a well-regarded Arizona golf school with a heavy emphasis on sports psychology. It’s the brainchild of Lynn Marriott and Pia Nilsson, the co-authors of “The Game Before The Game.” In addition to shot technique and “quality practice” routines, Vision 54 focuses on “tempo, the short game and developing an ironclad, stress-reducing, pre-shot routine.”
Lincicome signed on. She had sessions before the Kraft Nabisco, and she was in touch conversationally during the tournament. “I felt like I needed a Band-Aid,” she says.
What she got was more like a mental makeover, one that was reinforced by Bateman.
“My caddy is so positive. She will take me off my bad shot,” says Lincicome. “Take my mind off the negative. Sure, caddies have to be able to read greens, but the mental part is critical.”
Specifically, Bateman reminded her to stay in the moment, to do her breathing exercises, to sing, if necessary. Indeed, they sang (country music) songs between shots at Rancho Mirage. And an empathetic crowd, adds Lincicome, became incredibly supportive.
After her career-altering triumph, the new Brittany flew home to Seminole, where she lives with her parents, Tom and Angie Lincicome, when she’s not on the road. But it wasn’t for long. And it wasn’t for boating. She quickly pivoted out for Phoenix.
Another tournament stop?
No, Vision 54 sessions.
And as for that “fill-in” caddy, Tara Bateman. She’s agreed to stay on.
True Brit
Regardless of how Lincicome’s career is going, those who know her best will tell you there will always be two constants: her values and her friendliness. Family and friends come first. And she’s nice to everybody.
“She’s just always been an All-American kid,” observed Jan Zimmerman, the pro shop manager at Largo’s Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club. “She’s polite to everybody and has a fun personality. She’s genuine. She’s still Brit.”
Her dad, Tom Lincicome, who used to caddy for her, was there in Rancho Mirage to witness his daughter’s memorable victory. In fact, right after the tournament, father, daughter and caddy all jumped into the lake next to the 18th green for a victory splash. Win or not, he’s always the proud dad.
“She is what you see,” he noted. “It’s still special to hear people say what a great kid she is.”
In Her Own Words
* “Yes, my dad and I used to argue sometimes when he was my caddy. It’s tough to block all that out and just go to dinner.”
* “I like that little room with the microphone and they ask you questions. It means you did well. I used to watch Tiger Woods do that all the time.”
* “If it’s fishing, I want to catch more fish. If it’s poker (“Texas Hold ‘Em”), I want the winning hand. Maybe it goes back to having (two) older brothers. They never just let me win because I was a girl.”
* “I’m not the calendar type but dressing feminine is important. Golf is number one, but we are women. We wear skirts and look cute. And it’s not our fault if that attracts a lot of attention from men. But we’re not wearing bikinis.”
* “Sometimes I think I’ll retire by 35. Buy a home on the water with a dock. The travel is hard.”
* “It makes me sad when I disappoint a sponsor. It’s their name you’re wearing. Now I feel good for them too.”
* “That $300,000 check? I’m not spending it, that’s for sure. Last year was not a money maker.”
* “It’s exciting talking to my agent now. He said, ‘You can’t even imagine the new things that will come your way when you win a major.’”
* “I loooove coming home. No tournament stress – just hanging out, sleeping in, going to my favorite restaurants.”