
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 29, 1990                   TAG: 9003290097
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: C4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RANCHO MIRAGE, CALIF.                                LENGTH: Medium

INKSTER NOT SURE WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER LAYOFF

Juli Inkster, playing her first tournament in six months, doesn't know what to expect in the Dinah Shore tournament.

Inkster, two-time winner and defending champion in the event, is returning to the LPGA tour after taking time off to have a baby.

"Trying to concentrate for 18 holes may be the biggest thing," she said. "That's something I haven't done for awhile.

"I could go out there and play great and I could go out there and play awful. No one expects me to play great, so the pressure's off me. If I can play well Thursday and Friday, those competitive juices will show up.

"I'm getting my strength back every day and beginning to hit the ball better. Timing and tempo are the hardest to get back, things you need in trouble shots."

Inkster's daughter, less than two months old, will join her at the Dinah Shore, which is one of the major tournaments on the LPGA circuit. Grandparents will babysit Hayley Carole while mom is on the golf course.

"I've been learning how to be a mom," Inkster said. "Now I'll be learning how to play golf and also be a mom."

Inkster, whose husband, Brian, is a club pro, has been practicing seriously for only two weeks.

"It used to be easy for me to play golf, practice, come home and take a nap and maybe go out and hit some more balls," she said.

"Now I get up with the baby, get her ready, go to the golf course, play and practice a little and go home to the baby.

"I don't think I realized how much adjustment you have to make in your life with a baby in the house."

Inkster, 29, said being a mother may actually improve her game.

"I'm an emotional player," she said. "When I'm playing well, I get really hyped up. When I'm playing bad, it really affects me.

"I think now I'll be more relaxed. I think I'll play better."

Inkster said her daughter won't be steered toward a golf career.

"We already have enough golfers in our family," she said. "I think we'll give her a tennis racket."

Inkster led the Dinah Shore from start to finish last year, winning by five shots. She also won the tournament as a rookie in 1984, beating Pat Bradley on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff.

Nancy Lopez, Joanne Carner, Amy Alcott and Betsy King also are playing in the tournament.

by CNB