Laura Kueny, who has a win (2013 Epson Classic) and five top 10 finishes during her career on the Epson Tour, will play her final event of her career this week at the Tullymore Classic. It’s a fitting end as she is a Whitehall, Michigan native and the face of the tournament. Kueny was at the introductory press conference for the event in late 2014.

Kueny will play in her 94th career event since joining the Tour in 2010. She finished 14th on the Volvik Race for the Card money list in 2013 and came up just short of earning a spot on the LPGA.

Recently, Kueny has been slowed by surgery on her wrist. During recovery in September of 2016, she began to realize that golf was no longer her first priority. The Tullymore Classic is just her fourth start of the season.

“It’s pretty bittersweet,” admitted Kueny. “I just realized that I wasn’t missing the tour life - living out of a suitcase, driving eight hours - I really enjoyed spending time with my family, my boyfriend, my nieces and nephews and that is what you sacrifice out here. It’ll be nice to settle down and spend more time with them.”

Kueny was a standout at Michigan State from 2006-2010. She had 16 career top five finishes and was the 2010 Big Ten Golfer of the Year. Kueny was twice named Miss Michigan coming out of Whitehall High School and won the 2005 and 2006 Division 3 State Championships.

“I’ve made a lot of great friends and a lot of great connections with the pro-am's,” said Kueny about what she will miss most. “We played some pretty cool golf courses and I’ve visited some pretty amazing places and I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this without golf.”

Kueny’s parents, Jim and Karen, got her started in golf when she was four and was diagnosed with Leukemia.

“They held a benefit scramble to help raise money for my treatment,” explained Kueny. “To finish my career off with them just ties everything together.”

Kueny’s mom will serve as her caddy while her dad and grandparents will also be in attendance.

“This is a perfect way to end, I’m only an hour and a half away from home and I’m the poster child for the tournament,” explained Kueny. “I think I’m going to have a lot of people come watch, which will be really nice.”

Kueny now has a blank slate and is excited about the next adventure in her life. While she’s unsure of what it holds, she is sure that golf will remain in her life.

“Maybe I’ll find out that I am really good at something else, I’m excited for the new adventure,” said Kueny. “I don’t think this is totally the end of golf for me. I’ll probably do some Monday Qualifiers, the Michigan State Open, maybe some other state opens too. It just depends on what I do for a career and how much time I have off.”

Laura Kueny to Retire After Tullymore Classic

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