Rachel has time to reflect

SMOOTH SWING: Rachel Connor is hoping to advance her career under new coach Jon Bullas.

A CHANGE is as good as a rest, and Rachel Connor has experienced both recently.

Change comes from the 23 year old’s decision to move to a new base in America; while the home rest has been forced, for three months of physio and other work on a back injury.

But the break from a tough playing and training schedule on the other side of the Atlantic has given her time to reflect.

“This time off has made me reassess things,” said Rachel. “How I play the game, how I travel, how I spread out my time. That kind of stuff.

“I played too much in America. Because there was no family about, it was all about golf.

“I would get up at 7am, get to the golf course at 8am and be there until 5pm or 6pm. Then I would go home, go to bed, do the whole thing again.

“I will look at my schedule when I go back. Sometimes on tour I will do five or six weeks in a row, which means the same routine every week. That’s a lot really, you can be travelling sometimes 20 hours to get to an event, living out of a suitcase.”

Rachel has played in the USA for the past four years, for the majority of that time at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

Though still based in the Sunshine State, she is now attached to the Lakewood Ranch Country Club under coach Jon Bullas.

“He is English, which means we can talk about English things and that makes a difference,” Rachel added. “I’ve been working with him for about a year. He’s been really supportive through my injury, and as soon as I start practising again, I will send him videos of my swing.

“It was quite intense at IMG. You are around a lot of athletes and it is a big company and a lot of it is about making money. It is not very personal to you.

“I wanted a change, really. I like my new coach. I’ve really clicked with him

“It is a lot more personal to me and what I need.”

Rachel, who attended Our Lady’s School, has mixed feelings when she reflects on her time at home.

Two bulging disks, caused by a car accident in February, has meant she hasn’t been able to play since the spring.

For someone used to walking the fairways, that has been hard to come to terms with.

“It wasn’t a big accident, but it caused the injury so I started therapy straight away. I did three months in America and nothing was helping. That’s when I decided to come home, because I used to work with Dave Roberts when I was younger and trust Dave. He knows me and he knows what he is doing.

“I tried to play two events in Florida in May and June. I managed to get through one and I had to withdraw from the second, which was really disappointing because it was my home event.

“I haven’t hit a ball since then. It’s been really frustrating. I have been helping out in the shop and I see everyone, every day, teeing off... but on the other hand it has been a really nice break.

“I’ve played non-stop since I was 10 and this is the longest time I’ve ever had off.

“I miss being in America, but seeing all the family makes up for it.



RACHEL Connor has spent the best part of four years in America.

Playing on the Symetra Tour — one rung below the LPGA Tour — her ambition is to line-up alongside the world’s best women golfers.

One aspect of her game, she admits, requires attention: “I need to practice my putting,” she admits. “I think that is what everyone says when they turn pro. If I can take three shots off my putting, I’m there already.

“I’m not really worried about my long game — my driving distance and accuracy is fine — but I need to grind away on my short game.”