U.S. WOMEN'S OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP

May 29, 2001

Carol Semple Thompson

CAROL SEMPLE THOMPSON: I believe I've played in 86. This is my 86th.

CAROL SEMPLE THOMPSON: Well, normally I would say I'm trying to make the cut. But I've decided I have to cut that up a bit. I'm going to be low amateur. I'm doing this positive talking.

CAROL SEMPLE THOMPSON: Well, I think it's terrific that Morgan Pressel qualified. I'm very proud of her. I met her yesterday, sat with her in the rain a little bit. She seems very mature for her age. I think it's indicative of what's happening in women's golf. The young players are realizing that they can play very well. They're maturing very quickly. And I think there are going to be more young players that come out of the woodwork.

CAROL SEMPLE THOMPSON: Well, I think the reason I decided not to turn professional happened when I just got out of college, which was in 1970, which was the dark ages, we all know that. And there wasn't that much money on the Women's Tour. And my father really asked me not to turn pro right away. He wanted me to just play some amateur golf. And he offered to support me for a year. So of course any college graduate jumps at that opportunity. So I went to Florida for the winter, practiced all winter. And the next summer I was a total basket case. I figured after I had worked so hard on my game, if it hadn't improved, then I certainly wasn't going to be successful on the Pro Tour. So that's when I decided not to turn professional. And then I became fairly successful on the Amateur Tour, if you will, and decided to just stick with it.

CAROL SEMPLE THOMPSON: I really have never been tempted, even after my game started to improve. I decided that I liked being a big fish in a little pond, so to speak. And I was able to play on some Curtis Cup teams. And I just loved all the international competition that I was able to do. And I could only do that really as an amateur. The Solheim Cup hadn't come along then. But I would say that the Curtis Cup team and the world teams have been my greatest thrills, to represent your country.

CAROL SEMPLE THOMPSON: Well, winning the British -- well, winning the U.S. Women's Amateur was a thrill. But that was my first foray into really being successful. And that was really for my parents. So winning the British was a big thrill. And that was for me. But I don't think there's anything that can really compare with watching the flagging up the flag pole and representing your country at international matches.

CAROL SEMPLE THOMPSON: Well, I think there are always new, young, good players coming along, so it's never easy. But you're right, many of the players are turning professional. And as far as my making Curtis Cup teams, it's been easier. Because a whole new batch turns pro each year. The ones who have made any name for themselves go ahead and turn pro. And it is true that maybe the depth of some of the fields in the Amateur events are not as deep as they could be. But I don't know that I'd ever say that it was easy.

CAROL SEMPLE THOMPSON: Yes, I was. I was quite surprised, because he had always been -- actually, someone in my State of Pennsylvania, to whom I'd looked up, and I just thought he would never become a pro. But he's been very successful and very happy, I think. So I was surprised. I suppose if there were a women's Senior Tour, I could be tempted. But I don't think I really would be.