Thailand's only LET pl;ayer

Titiya Plucksataporn, joined the Ladies European Tour in 2006 following a good performance in the LET Qualifying School Stage 2, where she finished 22nd.

Ladiesontour.com caught up with Titiya in Wales earlier this year to find out what life is really like on tour when one is so many thousands of miles from home

Ladiesontour: How did you first get involved with playing golf and at what age?

Titiya: Like alot of other players, my father used to go to the driving range locally in Bangkok and I went with him. I was 12 years of age when I first starting playing. My father was a big influenece in my golf career, and my family have given me great support.

Ladiesontour.com: And is there anyone in ladies professional golf that has influenced or inspired you?

Practicing even in rain

Ladiesontour: So what's the hardest part of playing on the Ladies European Tour?

Titiya:  There are number of things that make life on tour tough. Initially it was the necessity of having to travel alone in an unfamiliar continent with many different languages. There were times when I would leave an airport and not know whether to turn right, left or go straight ahead, as the signs and language were so foreign to me. Making my own travel arrangements to unfamiliar locations can be difficult too as I don't know the geography, which airlines, or golf course venues and local accommodation and the costs so I have to seek guidance.

The lack of having a regular golf coach on hand too is restrictive. It is not feasible for a coach to travel with me and sometimes I would like to have a good coach on-hand to check over my swing, every once in a while. 

Also, being away from my family, home and friends made life difficult, until I could establish friends on the tour. Sometimes I still travel alone but I have made friends with some of the Americans, Swedish and English players and now things are a little easier and more familiar. The weather too isn't always so good in all the events in comparison with Thailand, and I sometimes find it cold.

Ladiesontour: Why the decision to play Europe when you have a tour on your doorstep?

Titiya: The European tour is more challenging and lucrative than the tours in the Far East. I wish to improve my golf and this is the best location for me to do so. Besides I very much enjoy seeing other parts of the world and I like Europe very much.

Ladiesontour: What are your short term ambitions?

Titiya: To make more weekends! I have missed more cuts than I had intended this season so I wish to make the cut more regularly.

Ladiesontour: So when you have missed the cut is it a matter of moving on to the next event?

Titiya: No, I remain at the golf course and practice as much as I can. I sometimes go sightseeing too if I can.

Ladiesontour: And when you are not practicing, how do you pass the time? What other interests do you have?

Titiya: I like to watch movies, I like the theatre and I am learning to play tennis. Some of my time is spent on my laptop surfing the internet for flights, accommodation and general travel arrangements for future events.

Ladiesontour: So what would you have done if you weren't a professional golfer?

Titiya: I think I would probably have followed my father in to his company making electric cables.

Titiya will compete in Dubai

In addition, Titiya is once again booked in to La Cala for the LET Qualifying School Stage 2 to regain her playing rights for 2007, should Dubai not reaps the rewards she needs to hold on to her card. Ladiesontour.com wishes Titiya the very best of luck in Dubai and if necessary at Qualifying School and we shall continue to follow her career with interest where-ever in the world she plays.