It was a simple thing that teenagers do all the time. Lori Beth Adams (Burlington, N.C.) was a junior in high school when she contracted Mononucleosis and was basically forced to stay off the golf course for six weeks and was mostly bedridden. She believes she caught it by simply sharing a drink with a friend. Suffice it to say, she never shares anymore.
“It set me back in the recruiting process, it set me back for six weeks,” said Beth Adams. “I could only putt after the six weeks, I couldn’t even stand up and sing songs at church.”
Beth Adams eventually recovered and got a scholarship to play college golf at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
“I broke out during my junior year of college and that is when I thought I could compete on the LPGA,” explained Beth Adams.
She was the CAA (Colonial Athletic Association) Player of the Year as a junior and was an All-CAA selection three times. Her play in college has translated well to the professional ranks. She has two top 10 finishes this year and ranks 45th on the Volvik Race for the Card money list.
“I’m really just trying to get comfortable out here,” said Beth Adams. “It’s a different lifestyle than college and junior golf. I’m just enjoying it, I get to play golf for a living.”
Beth Adams was introduced to the game by her father, Steven, who brought his daughter to the range at Indian Valley Municipal Golf Course, where she still works in the offseason. She spends mornings in the pro shop to supplement her income in the winter months.
With nine events left, Beth Adams is hoping to move up the money list and find her way into the top 10.
“It’s the home stretch, you just have to dig deep,” said Beth Adams. “We are all tired, so you just have to play your best at this point of the year.”
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