back to Quebec, and Linda took the job between the time I signed and started school,” Tombs recalled. “Oh, that was a great team, with Lauri Mertern and Pia Nilsson … Linda and I, we were the rookies.” Tombs’ game was good


enough that she also played on the LPGA from 1988 to 1999, her lone victory coming at the 1990 Jamie Farr Toledo Classic. When she finally quit the Tour, she said she really didn’t know what to do next. “A friend suggested


that I teach, that I might be a good instructor,” Tombs said. “I really didn’t like the idea at first because, being so driven as a Tour player, it seemed like a world away. “But I needed stability


in my life, if not for my sake then my two girls. And I tried it and I liked it. Plus, I learned that I could help people through my own


25-year-old Heidi, got into law school at Oregon, Tombs said she turned her teaching career up a notch. “I let my girls find their


Tina Tombs gives her student, hus- band Larry Fischer, a pointer during a lesson at the Arizona Biltmore.


experiences, both on the course and as a single mom. Then once I got really into it, I just wanted to give something back, to see the LPGA Teaching division grow.” After her older daughter,


27-year-old Sarah, became a dancer and choreographer in Vancouver, British Columbia, and her younger daughter,


own wings. Even though I taught them how to play, to use it as a networking tool in their professional lives, I never pushed them to play (professionally),” Tombs said. “And that’s pretty much my philosophy with my students, of letting people find their way into the game and to have fun doing it.” Ask anybody who has


worked with her, and you’ll be told that Tombs keeps a cool head. Like when she was asked recently about her opinion on Ted Bishop’s firing by the PGA of America over remarks he made about Ian Poulter being a “little girl.” Many felt Bishop’s use of “little girl” was both demeaning and sexist. Tombs agreed, to a point.


“It seemed a little harsh


(Bishop’s impeachment). But I’m hoping it turns out to be a good thing, that it helps women’s golf,” she said. “Little girls and little boys are the future of the game, that’s for sure.” As for the LPGA Teacher


of the Year Award, which she’ll receive in January during the PGA Show in Orlando, Fla., Tombs said she “just can’t wait.” “Oh, it’s going to be a fun


night,” she said, bubbling at the thought. “I’m preparing a speech, and all I can say about that speech is, I’m getting better at this; maybe not great, but better. “The only thing I can


really guarantee you is we’ll have fun that night.” n


Editor’s note: Tombs can be reached via email at tina@tinatombsgolf.com.


www.azgolf.org


ANNUAL2014 | AZ GOLF Insider | 27


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