Juli Inkster shocked the golfing world when she captured her fourth major championship while balancing motherhood. The truth is, her success wasn’t just about raw talent. Golf’s biggest champions never truly compete alone. This became abundantly clear during a recent Workday Sports interview, which turned surprisingly emotional. A legendary LPGA pro opened up about just how challenging it is to juggle a professional career with family life, and her candid words struck a chord with fans everywhere.

In a heartfelt conversation with Amanda Balionis, a fellow Workday Ambassador, the LPGA legend shared a powerful truth about her journey. “I would be no one if it wasn’t for my support team,” she confessed with raw honesty. This statement strips away the myth of the solo athlete conquering the world alone.

“Golf is a solo sport. And as a solo sport pro athlete, I’m kind of also like an only child as well,” she explained during their friendly exchange. The discussion began lightheartedly, with both women reminiscing about playing together at the Workday Pro-Am during Memorial Week. “You ran out of golf balls, I hadn’t swung a club in six months, but we did have a great time,” Balionis recalled.

However, the conversation soon took a more reflective turn. Balionis highlighted her friend’s successful transition into multiple roles – investor, tournament host, mother, and wife. The champion emphasized the critical role her entire support network has played throughout her career.

“It’s the people that you don’t really see on the screen,” she noted, describing the invisible team behind her success. “Even now to this day, being a tournament host for the Missoula Americas Open, if it wasn’t for my team that literally worked tirelessly behind the scenes, I wouldn’t be the tournament host or I would look not so good.”

She explained that success depends entirely on the people working behind the scenes. “With mothering, you know, they say it takes a village – my nannies, my husband, just my other mom friends,” she shared candidly.

This honesty aligns perfectly with Workday’s “rock star mentality” value system that Balionis mentioned during their discussion. The legend’s vulnerability reminds us that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness—it’s a crucial step for success.

This realization isn’t unique to this LPGA star alone. Her personal experience reflects a broader transformation that has been reshaping women’s professional golf for decades.

How support systems for women in golf have evolved

Women in professional golf have witnessed dramatic changes in support structures over recent decades. The LPGA Tour has been at the forefront of creating family-friendly environments for players. Michelle West’s experience illustrates how these improvements have enabled female athletes to sustain longer, more fulfilling careers.

In 1993, the LPGA launched the Smucker’s Child Development Center—the first traveling childcare facility in professional sports. This groundbreaking initiative provides free childcare services at every North American tournament. Young children can stay with consistent caregivers throughout the season while their mothers compete.

The tour’s maternity policy has undergone significant evolution. Players can now “freeze” their status for up to two years after childbirth. This protection ensures new mothers don’t lose their hard-earned tour positions during pregnancy and recovery periods.

These policy changes have produced tangible results. Before 2000, the average LPGA career for mothers lasted just 8.2 years. Today, that number has jumped to 14.6 years for players with children. West’s journey from player to tournament host exemplifies how proper support allows for career evolution beyond active competition.

Not all tours offer the same level of support, however. The Ladies European Tour has maternity policies but lacks comprehensive childcare options. This disparity indicates that, while progress has been made, there is still room for improvement in women’s golf.

Michelle West’s powerful testimony reminds us that championships aren’t won alone. Every trophy represents countless invisible hands providing support along the way. What do you think about the evolution of support for mothers in professional sports? Let us know in the comments section below!