By Cindy Lee-Pridgen
It’s been a while since I last played a golf tournament. I believe my last event was in Long Beach, CA back in August of 2018. And as for a major event, it was even further back – the Fatima Bint Mubarak Ladies Open in Abu Dhabi, November of 2016. It had always been such a thrill, especially having my husband and kids greeting me at the end of the day. And now, since moving to California in 2018, I haven’t had much of a chance to play. So, when the LPGA was coming into my neck of the woods of Palos Verdes in Southern California, we decided to go and watch the ladies play.
Kelly and Cindy’s boys
I was thrilled to discover that my fellow Malaysian golfer was in the field! Kelly Tan has been on the LPGA Tour for the past nine years now. We had met a few years ago during the Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur (in 2015), but I was too busy caring for Graham and Charlie at that time though, so Kelly and I never got the chance to chat very much. So, it was great to meet up with her again and get to know her a little bit more. I thought it was so funny when my younger son Charlie first saw her and said that she looks like me. Ha!
Kelly Tan with Cindy’s sons Graham and Charlie
And speaking of my boys, the two of them were totally smitten with her. Graham (who will be turning 12 years old this May) and Charlie (who will be 10 years old this summer) were so into her game by the time Sunday rolled around. They were both actually paying attention and watching her play and cheering her on. This probably had a lot to do with how great Kelly was with them. At the end of the day on Thursday, Kelly had given them both a signed golf ball. By Saturday, during dinner, each boy already had a chance to sit on her lap and cuddle. What a gal!
Do I miss playing competitively after watching Kelly play? Most definitely. But it’s a tough one – the dedication and hard work, and not forgetting the physical and mental toughness the game requires, both on and off the golf course. These girls on the LPGA are really that good. It’s great to see one of our own Malaysians continue to strive on this tour and make a name for herself and for our country. And after this most recent Palos Verdes Championship, she has added on two more little new fans. Thank you, Kelly Tan for being so great with our kids and showing them what it means to be a professional athlete!
Cindy Lee-Pridgen is a professional golfer but is now a full-time mom to two boys. Cindy played on the LPGA Tour’s Developmental Tour – Futures Tour (now called Epson Tour) from 2006 to 2011.
