Editor’s note: This is the first of a four-part series with 21-year-old Symetra Tour rookie Sierra Brooks, who will chronicle her 2020 season on Golfweek.com. The former Florida standout finished second at last year’s NCAA Championship to Maria Fassi and was a finalist at the 2015 U.S. Women’s Amateur. She won three times in college and represented the U.S. at the Curtis Cup, Junior Ryder Cup and Junior Solheim Cup.
I’ve dreamed big for as long as I can remember. LPGA Hall of Fame. Chasing Annika’s 59. I want to change women’s golf the way Tiger did for the PGA Tour. I want to help inspire the next generation. Use golf as a platform to do something that’s bigger than myself.
But before any of that can happen, I’ve got to get to work on the Symetra Tour, which kicks off this week at the Florida’s Natural Charity Classic in Winter Haven, Florida. The season will take me everywhere from Beaumont, California, to Cincinnati, to Rochester, New York, to Worley, Idaho. For most of it, a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta will be my road warrior. My Jetta already has 70,000 miles on it, so it’s nice starting off 2020 roughly 60 miles from home in central Florida.
My dad, Brent, introduced me to the game when I was 6 years old. The golf course was my babysitter as he practiced, but I loved it from the start. We’d play games for $1. As I got older, maybe a pair of sunglasses if I broke 45. At age 8, we discovered U.S. Kids Golf, and my dad still gets choked up thinking about those early trophies and the journey that followed.
He played college golf at North Florida and spent a few years on the Hooters and Golden Bear tours. I’ve worked with Kevin Smeltz on and off throughout my career, but my dad has been my primary coach since the beginning. He’s my best friend. My comfort.
We used to bicker sometimes, especially when he was dad, coach and caddie, but I’m 21 years old now and know that he’s only here to help me. There’s no time for it.
I was a gymnast until age 12 and ran track through high school at Lake Mary Prep. The 400 was my main event. But golf is what I’ve always lived and breathed.
I was shy as a kid. I remember going out to the LPGA’s Ginn Open event at Reunion when I was like 8 years old. I wanted Natalie Gulbis’ autograph, but I was too scared to go over and ask for it. Natalie called me over and said, “If you want an autograph, you need to come over and say it.”
I needed to hear that! If you want something, go get it.
At the 2014 Ryder Cup in Scotland, I was asked to represent the Junior Ryder Cup team and give a speech in front of 40,000 people that was broadcast live around the world. Last year, I had the honor or representing the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur on a New York City media tour alongside Nancy Lopez and Maria Fassi. I’ve had so many incredible opportunities throughout my amateur career.
After LPGA Q-Series ended last November, I made a list of the pros and cons of going back to Florida for my final semester versus turning pro early for the Symetra Tour. At that point it looked like I might miss the first 11 events on the schedule (nearly half) if I waited until after the spring season. It was a tough decision, but I knew deep down that playing professional golf is what I wanted to do and really just wanted to get straight to it.
That was the first of many big decisions.
For starters, I decided to take a break from my studies this semester. I still intend to get my degree in telecommunications, I just didn’t want to be pulled in different directions as I’m settling into this new life.
Choosing an agent felt like the college recruiting process all over again. I met with several, even flew to California. I ultimately chose Excel Sports. I’ve known my agent, Kevin Hopkins, since I played in the ANA Inspiration as a 16-year-old. Kevin was the tournament director back then. I appreciated his experience in the business, particularly the ins and outs of the LPGA schedule. And once Mark Steinburg (Tiger’s agent) called, it was a done deal.
I signed with TaylorMade and Nike and feel fortunate that I can start the 2020 season with strong backing. My parents have invested in my game for such a long time, and I really didn’t want to put that load back on them after I turned pro.
Every club in my bag is new since Q-Series. I’ll be pushing my own bag this season. I know that’s not uncommon on the Symetra Tour. Host families will also help cut down on expenses. My dad works in medical sales and will come out when he can.
To help keep sharp, I signed up for a couple of local events on Eggland’s Golf Tour. Even on a smaller stage, I could feel more hunger from the girls I was competing against. At the end of the day, this is your job and you’re trying to pay the bills. Or at least pay off the entry fee. I won both tournaments, collecting a $2,000 winner’s check. It felt good.
The first time I played in an LPGA major, I played practice rounds with Brittany Lincicome, Paula Creamer and Juli Inkster. I felt like I was living in a dream. I couldn’t even tee up the ball on that first tee, my hands were shaking so much.
That was four years ago. I’m ready to make so many of childhood dreams become reality.
The road to the LPGA starts now.
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