By: Beverly Wise
Photos by: Greg and Beverly Wise – Golf the Wise Way
PALM HARBOR, FLORIDA – On Tuesday, of The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican… 39-year old Brittany Lincicome announced via social media that she was ending her long career as a full-time player on the LPGA Tour that began in 2005.
Lincicome came into the LPGA as a very strong Amateur… with a lot of promise to make it big on the Ladies Tour.
Let’s take a quick look at some of the amazing highlights of 20-years on the LPGA Tour
Personal:
5’9”
Started playing golf at the age of 9.
Credits her parents and two brothers, Hunter and Bryan Vickers, as the individuals most influencing her career.
Qualified for the Tour on her first attempt.
Amateur:
She took part in more than 100 amateur events, winning 60 percent of the time.
Lincicome was a star on the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) circuit, winning three events.
In 2004, she won the Harder Hall Invitational and advanced to the round of 16 at the U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship.
Lincicome competed in the 2004 U.S. Women’s Open and led after the first round before finishing 55th.
She also played in the State Farm Classic in 2004 as an amateur, finishing in a tie for 66th.
Professional:
Turned professional in December; tied for 20th at the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament to earn exempt status for the 2005 LPGA season.
2005: Recorded a season-best finish at the ShopRite LPGA Classic, where she tied for 18th.
Led the Tour with a 270.3-yard driving-distance average.
2007:
Came from four strokes back to earn her second career LPGA victory at the Ginn OPEN. (Remember this fact)
In Short… Everyone knew Brittany had what it took to be a Super Star on the Tour.
LPGA Tour Victories (8)
2018 – Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic
2017 – Pure Silk Bahamas LPGA Classic –
2015 – ANA Inspiration
2011 – ShopRite LPGA Classic, CN Canadian Women’s Open
2009 – Kraft Nabisco Championship
2007 – Ginn Open
2006 – HSBC Women’s World Match Play Championship
The Solheim Cup (6)
2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2015, 2017
Brittany didn’t have enough points to qualify for The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge outright, so she began a letter writing campaign to the powers to be at Pelican, explaining her retirement plans and her hope to receive a “Sponsor’s Exemption” to play The ANNIKA in front of the “Hometown” crowd and her family one more time.
When she received the email from the club that they had excepted her request… the tears began to flow, and she knew she had to be ready to play this special moment.
Her husband, Dewald Gouws, caddied for her this week. Her comment was, “He is never on my bag… this was strange enough.” But, with her 2 young girls coming on Sunday Dewald gave up the bag to her normal caddie to make the loop for the final day. All the family were following Brittany. Then it all happened on the 18th tee.
Excitement was waiting for her on the 18th tee on Sunday… her finally round. Her caddie scurried off the 17th quite quickly, Brittany mentioned. When she got to the 18th green… there was her dad… ‘Inside the Ropes’ with the Caddie apron on… ready to go up the 18th hole for the final time.
Brittany explained after the final putt was made… “I wanted to make a birdie for dad on the 18th to end my career, but it just didn’t happen.” “He was with me on the bag at most of my amateur events and he helped me start my career by looping for me. He was even on the bag when I won my first event in 2006.” Lincicome explained, “there was a point walking up the 18th fairway… neither of us could look at each other… or we would both start crying again.”
It is truly special to be so close to the action and see this all happening… taking this bittersweet moment of a retirement walk for the final time, and sharing it with the ones that got it all started 30-years ago.
Greg and Beverly Wise have been traveling the world, playing and writing about their golf experiences as “Golf the Wise Way,” and submitting to numerous publications.
Greg has played golf for more than 60 years and truly believes that “a picture is worth a thousand words…” so, Beverly and Greg both excel in getting the right photos to enhance their stories.
