Inside the Ropes

Team VTech takes time out of their busy tour schedule to get a little personal. Here’s a quick glimpse into their lives, on and off the green. If you thought these girls only ate, drank and slept about golf 24/7… Think again…

As a second year member of Team VTech, Becky “Boots/Shorty” Morgan enjoys being part of a team. ”It’s a lot of fun being on a part of Team VTech, we get along really well.” But her favorite part is “”Getting to hang out with Tom Bacon!!!!” she exclaims. She also gets to enjoy certain perks of having new teammates. “Dee (Diana D’Alessio) is a good cook. She makes a mean taco salad!”

With grandparents, whom she claims were “the best golfers”, Becky Morgan has golfing in her blood. She grew up in Abergavenny, Wales, just a hop, skip and a jump away from the birthplace of golf, Scotland, were the sport originated in the 12th century. And if the number 12 has any significance, it was the age when Becky was first introduced to the game by her grandfather.

Though Becky enjoyed a successful amateur career with several wins and accolades in the UK and a stellar record during her college career with 10 NCAA division 1 medalist titles, she didn’t realize she wanted to turn pro until after she finished college. In 2001, Becky qualified and joined the LPGA and the Ladies European Tour (LET).

Becky is thrilled with being a professional female athlete and even with the difficulties in change that golfers face with the normal day to day is trying,  she “wouldn’t want any other job.”

She works hard and mentally prepares for each tournament by imagining each shot needed at each course and practices them diligently. She runs and begrudgingly does abdominal workouts to stay physically fit. And though she has no pre-tournament rituals to speak of, she is a little superstitious. 

The song Becky currently listens to, to pump herself up? 

–Coldplay’s Viva La Vida..

Check back for more Tee Time with Team VTech.

Team VTech takes time out of their busy tour schedule to get a little personal. Here’s a quick glimpse into their lives, on and off the green. If you thought these girls only ate, drank and slept about golf 24/7… Think again…

Growing up in Flanders, NJ, it wasn’t hard for Diana “Dee” D’Alessio to take an interest in athletics. Her father and mother both played golf and her grew up with five half-brothers, Joe, Patrick, Bart, John and Tom. (Joe and Bart also play golf and John is just starting).

Though Dee participated in several sports in her youth  (tennis, softball, basketball, and field hockey), her first passion was competitive horseback riding. But that all changed at age 13, when she walked away from the saddle and picked up her clubs.

“I was 13 and it was raining so I couldn’t go ride my horse. I turned on the TV and an LPGA tournament was on so I started watching. They were playing in Hawaii. I had played a bit before watching the event, but really didn’t think it was something I wanted to do. But watching the tournament made me decide I wanted to become a professional golfer. Betsy King, Beth Daniels and Nancy Lopez were neck and neck coming down the stretch. It was very exciting. I thought to myself, they’re playing a sport, spend most of their time outside and you can make money! What else could I want?! So right then and there I decided that I wanted to be on the LPGA and here I am.”

When Dee first started, there wasn’t a thing she didn’t like about golf. Since then, she’s had her fair share of frustrations with the game and annoyances with putting. But no matter the obstacle, she couldn’t be happier with her career choice. “When people find out that I’m a part of the LPGA, they have great respect for my accomplishment,” explains Dee.  “Admiration is the best word for it.” Not only is she a proud member of the LPGA, but a first year member of  Team VTech and she “loves it”. “ I’m very happy to be a part of Team VTech,” says Dee. “VTech has supported women’s golf for many years and it makes me thrilled to be a part of a something like that.” 

When you’re on a team, you learn a lot from those around you. From new languages to new foods, its hard not to pick something up from friends you work and travel with. What’s best part about being on a team? “The girls who are on it with me!” Dee exclaims. “We have a lot of fun being the VTech girls. I love hanging out with them!”

A few things Dee has learned so far:

-Sharpy’s taught me how to say “EH” like all Canadians.

-I’ve learned how to drink Guinness from Becky.

-From Stups, I’ve learned that Marmite on toast with cheese is really good!!

Season’s far from over so be sure to check back for more Tee Time with Team VTech.