For Lindsey McCurdy, the start of the 2021 season was just another year on the Epson Tour chasing her dreams of someday playing on the LPGA Tour. But, toward the end of the season, things took a turn for the Texas native. McCurdy needed to step away from the game, return home and see a doctor to figure out why she wasn’t feeling well. Unfortunately, the Southern Methodist University graduate was later diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease. Not knowing what her new future held, McCurdy teed it up at the season's final event, the Epson Tour Championship, thinking it would be her last competitive event.
Fast forward to February of 2022, when McCurdy has learned to manage her illness while pursuing her dreams. Although her scores throughout the season did not reflect what she would have liked to see, McCurdy was happy to be playing and based her feelings on how she felt on the course that day. After returning to the Epson Tour Championship in 2022, McCurdy attended the end-of-season celebration and was named the Heather Wilbur Spirit Award recipient.
“It was such an honor [to win the Heather Wilbur Spirit award]. It’s peer-voted, so that made it feel that much more special,” said McCurdy. “It had been a rough couple of years, so I accomplished not only getting to Daytona but also winning the award after. It just felt like icing on the cake.”
One addition to the Heather Wilbur Award in 2022 was the Seiko Epson Corporation’s contribution of $2,500.
“It was a huge surprise; I had no idea. I was super grateful for that,” said McCurdy. “Epson has just done so much for us and little things like that make it that much more special.”
We’re now at the end of February 2023, and Lindsey is getting ready to tee it up at the first event of the season, the Florida’s Natural Charity Classic. With high hopes and big dreams still in reach, McCurdy is determined to overcome any obstacle thrown her way.
“It feels really good [to be in Winter Haven]. It took a long time to feel like me again and be back to where I want to be,” said McCurdy. “To finish the season last year the way I did and to be able to be here at the first event is a really good feeling. I’m excited for the year.”