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Photo by Jim Craven Tara Staal has paid her dues on the practice range. Staal swings career into overdrive Bear Creek pro eyes dream shot on LPGA Tour By RANDY HAMMERICKSEN Her golfing idol is Annika Sorenstam, a two-time former U.S. Women's Open champion and LPGA Tour player of the year three of the last four seasons. Medford's Tara Staal, 24, has aspired to play golf like and with Sorenstam since the two professional golfers met nearly two years ago at the U.S. Women's Open near Portland. "We have a lot of similarities in looks and in our games," says Tara Staal, who is nursing the hope that she might one day join Sorenstam on the LPGA tour. "We have similar body types and swings, and some people say we even look alike. I like to be compared to her any way I can." Now, the trick is to play like Annika. She is working on that task, which isn't going to be easy, as she admits. With the hope of one day joining Sorenstam on the LPGA tour, the head club professional at Medford's Bear Creek Golf Course is taking the plunge into the world of full-time women's professional golf. She will play the first three tournaments on the Futures Tour in California, and then plans to join the Players West Tour and play approximately 25 events. "I'm giving myself a full year to see what I can do," says Tara Staal. "I want to try to qualify for the U.S. Women's Open and then take a shot at the (LPGA) tour school. "I believe I'm going to make it (the LPGA tour). "From what I've done the last two years in mini-tour tournaments, I believe I can be successful, if I spend all my time trying, instead of playing just a few weeks and not really giving myself a chance to get used to the surroundings," she says. "You have to give up everything you have to try to do this. You leave it all behind and just go for it." One person she is leaving behind is her husband, Jim Staal, head professional at StoneRidge Golf Club of Eagle Point. Jim Staal, who has caddied for his wife in Players West Tour events during the last two years, will remain on the job as head pro at StoneRidge. "It's going to be hard on me to see her go, but I'll get to caddy for her in a few events in Oregon and California," says Jim Staal. "What she's doing is the right thing. "We both decided that based on how she did in tour events last fall, we feel she can compete with the women on those mini-tours. With more time to practice and work on her game, we think she will do even better. "She played in a Players West Tour tournament at Running Y Golf Course (near Klamath Falls) last year, and her last two rounds were 73 and 74," he says. "That was good enough to put her in the money, and among the top 10 scores both days. But more importantly, it proved to both of us that she can play at that level." In making a one-year commitment for Tara to play professional golf, the Staals went out and raised more than $30,000 from 14 sponsors. They are still looking for more sponsors to help buy Tara Staal time to make it in women's professional golf. For information on how to help, call Jim Staal at the StoneRidge Golf Club pro shop, 830-GOLF. "We felt we need to raise at least $30,000 for me to travel to tournaments, pay entry fees and expenses," says Tara Staal. "We came up with 14 sponsors, including friends and family members. Most people paid around $2,000 apiece. I'm so appreciative of all the help." One of the sponsors betting on Tara Staal's chances of making it in women's professional golf is Larry Mishler, a former StoneRidge member and long-time supporter of Tara Staal. "I believe in Tara, and I think she's going to make it," says Mishler. "I've played with her a lot, and watched her play. She's talented and competitive." Bob Vocker, head professional at Woodbridge Country Club in Lodi, Calif., where Tara Staal grew up playing golf, is her primary teacher. Jim Staal concentrates on motivating his wife on the course, and observing her "swing checks" when she's playing. "Tara has a lot of talent and enthusiasm," says Vocker. "All she needs now is experience. "I think she's going to make it in professional golf. She has all kinds of potential because she's always been a great athlete, and she has worked hard on her game. She hits the ball long and straight, and she has a wonderful short game." "I am so grateful to the people who have shown faith in me," says Tara Staal. "A lot of them believe I'm going to make it. "I believe that, too. I really think I can get my game to the point where I can compete with the top players." Tara Staal says she will continue to be the head professional at Bear Creek Golf Course. "I'll be in the shop and teaching when I'm home," she says. "I plan to continue on with the successful junior program I started last summer." Bear Creek Golf Course owner Marla Corbin supports Tara Staal's attempt to make it in professional golf. "I think it's great," says Corbin. "Age-wise, if she's going to do it, this is the time. She's worked at it hard." Tara Staal is a long, straight driver with an exacting short game. "My weakness might be playing off the fairway and having to hit special shots," she says. "But fortunately, I'm usually on the fairway." To make the LPGA tour, she will have to go through two phases of qualifying. The first stage is a 72-hole qualifying session for approximately 135 spots to make the final tour school qualification tournament later in the year in Florida. Then comes tour school. And perhaps a chance -- even a small one -- for Tara Staal to realize her ultimate goal of playing with Sorenstam on the LPGA Tour. "That's my dream," she says. 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