“I struggled on the Tour with being one of the shorter hitters,” says Ramsbottom, who took 2^nd at the McCall’s LPGA Classic at Stratton Mountain in 1994 . “I had to compensate for that with the rest of my game.” Ramsbottom found a way to make it work, firing her career low 64 in the first round of the 1994 LPGA Corning Classic. She ultimately finished tied for 2^nd. During her LPGA career, she had a number of top ten finishes, including 5^th at the 1987 Rail Charity Classic and 8^th at the 1995 GHP Heartland Classic. In 1997, she tied for 8^th at the Michelob Light Classic.

Ramsbottom also played amateur golf at the national level until turning professional in 1985. While attending the University of Texas, she recorded victories at the 1982 Houston Baptist Invitational and the 1984 Southwest Conference Championship. She made the All-Southwest Conference Team from 1983-84 and was named Most Valuable Player on the 1984 Longhorn team. Though a swimmer and a diver as a child, Ramsbottom couldn’t help but pursue golf once she got her first taste of it. “I loved it from the start,” says Ramsbottom.

Now retired from the LPGA Tour and working toward becoming a full-time teacher, Ramsbottom has much to share with golfers of all abilities looking to improve. “I really think it’s important for beginners to take lessons and try to stick with the same teacher for an extended period of time,” says Ramsbottom. “We all have different styles and ways of saying things. Jumping around can really confuse someone that is new to the game.” Intermediate to advanced golfers should take lessons and focus on the short game and learning new shots, according to Ramsbottom. She also recommends these golfers spend time on both the tee and the green developing their own feel and consistency.

Ramsbottom typically opens her lessons by asking students what they feel they need to work on. In addition to meeting their needs, Ramsbottom often recommends short game work because that is where most people can learn to save strokes. “People tell me I’m very easy to communicate with and very patient,” reports Ramsbottom. “I also think women are more comfortable with me because I seem to relate to them easily,” she adds.

One student in particular appreciated Ramsbottom’s guidance. Due to a shoulder injury, this student couldn’t take a full swing. Ramsbottom worked with her on her short game, and the student was amazed at how much there was to learn about hitting those little shots around the green. “She learned how to hit a lob shot with her sand wedge and how to be more consistent with her chips,” notes Ramsbottom. “She got so excited to learn new shots and be able to get the ball close to the hole.”

In practicing her own game, Ramsbottom generally spends 45 minutes hitting balls and going through each club in the bag. She’ll then move to pitching and chipping and finish with putting. In these 2-3 hour sessions, Ramsbottom likes to make up games for herself such as making so many putts before moving on or chipping within a two-foot circle. Her practice routine turned her into one of the most accurate drivers on the LPGA Tour. “I love to hit straight drives!” says Ramsbottom. “I am known as one of the straightest drivers on Tour.” Ramsbottom won the Driving Accuracy category for four of the past eight years. “I am also known as a very good fairway wood player. That’s because I have to hit them so often!” smiles Ramsbottom.

Even the straightest of drivers sometimes face a challenge or two from the tee. Ramsbottom recalls one shot in particular that always gave her pause: the drive on the 13^th hole at Locust Hill Country Club in Rochester, New York. Carrying the ditch across the fairway required at least 200 yards, and Ramsbottom was frequently stressed about whether or not she could get it over. Laying up left too long a shot to the green. Going for it with the driver was the best option, and Ramsbottom never failed to clear it, despite her anxiety. Nowadays, when things aren’t going well in a round of golf, Ramsbottom reminds herself that it’s just a game. Try to stay in the present, she’ll say. With age, relaxing on the course comes easier, according to Ramsbottom. “There are so many more important things in my life,” says Ramsbottom.