Maryland native Tina Barrett returned to her home state this past week and felt right at home.
Celebrating her 40th birthday on Monday, the Long Island resident indulged in a regional tradition: she ate Maryland steamed crabs.
She also returned with hopes of a strong start in the McDonald?s LPGA Championship, but after Thursday, the Perry Hall High School graduate was asked what she needed to improve on.
“Pretty much everything,” said a dejected Barrett. “I just didn?t have it today.”
Barrett shot a six-over 78 Thursday, and will need to make up some shots Friday on a course that she said plays to her competitors? advantage.
“It?s really set up for the long hitters, and that?s fine,” Barrett said. “I?m not one, and it?s unfortunate, but there are some short hitters that have been doing pretty well, too.”
Pat Hurst, who shot a six-under 66, is one of those big hitters.
“The greens are real receptive right now,” Hurst said after her opening round. “You can throw it at the pin and it?s not real firm out there.”
Although the course is long and not tailored to Barrett?s style, she still praises the course.
“It doesn?t set up that great for me, but I think it?s a very good test,” Barrett said. “It?s in fantastic shape, and it?s very scenic.”
Barrett still has family in the area, and grew up playing at Sparrows Point Country Club before moving to Arizona 18 years ago. To Barrett, having an LPGA major in the area is a benefit to a pretty narrow-minded market.
“This is kind of an Oriole and Raven town, so it?s good when something else comes in,” she said.
Despite an influx of young talent into the LPGA Tour, Barrett welcomes the youthful competition and sees the benefit.
“We?re on the rise, that?s for sure,” Barrett said of the tour. “It?s exciting to be a part of.”
THE BARRETT FILE
Born: June 5, 1966 in Baltimore
Resides: Long Island, N.Y.
College: Longwood (Va.) College
Did you know? Barrett went to Chapel Hill Elementary and Perry Hall Junior High before attending Perry Hall High … Made her LPGA Tour debut in 1989 ? Was inducted into the Longwood athletics Hall of Fame in 2005 ? Her lone victory on tour came in the 1989 Mitsubishi Motors Ocean State Open.
