England’s Billie-Jo Smith had an amazing season on LETAS and fulfilled a long-awaited dream by walking away with a full LET card for 2025.
Smith self-described her season as “the most consistent to date”, and it certainly was.
The 25-year-old from Nottinghamshire earnt nine top 10 finishes including finishing the season with three runner-up positions after losing out on three consecutive play offs.
Whilst it was heartbreaking to witness Smith lose out on three wins, the Belton Woods player knew it was part of the longer game to finish third in the LETAS Order of Merit.
Speaking about the end to her fantastic season, Smith said: “I wouldn’t say I was disappointed as I thought I would be.
“If I saw someone else in my position, I would really feel for them, but I didn’t necessarily feel it.
“I was just happy that I’d played that well and been that consistent all year.
“The main goal was to get my card and that’s what I did.”
A win finally came for Smith when she was voted as the inaugural LETAS’ Player Player of the Year because of her excellent sportsmanship, grace and humility.
Speaking about receiving the award, Smith said: “I hadn’t expected it. There are a lot of people on tour who are good for the game and are excellent players so, I didn’t think it would be me.
“I feel like you get those awards in team sports, but I think in an individual sport like golf it is more special.”
Yet the road to securing an LET card has not been a smooth journey for Smith who has faced setbacks and injury.
On this week’s episode of the LETAS podcast, “LETAS Chat”, Smith opened candidly about her golfing journey.
“I was about four when I first picked up a club. My parents were working a lot when I was younger, so I spent the holidays with my grandparents.”
Smith’s grandmother was Secretary of the lady section at her home club, so Smith was dragged along with her to the golf course where she used to pass the time on the putting green.
“I started and got hooked. I complained so much about the fact I had plastic golf clubs. I wanted real ones and would bang on about it.
“Then on my fifth birthday my grandparents brought me my first set of golf clubs and that was it. I’ve never stopped since then.
“I started playing for the county and things progressed. It was my dream from that young age to be a professional golfer.
“To say I’ve actually done that is pretty cool.”
Smith performed to a high level as a junior but struggled more in her teenage years and spent six years stuck on a one handicap.
“I guess I didn’t necessarily perform well when I was going through the teenage stage.
“I felt like I had stood still for five years. That was quite hard. I doubted myself a lot.
“Yet I just wanted to perform well on a competitive stage. It was the thing that kept me going.
“Some people enjoy the process; some people enjoy the competition, but I think I’ve got to a point now where I’m enjoying both.”
Smith didn’t go through the usual collegiate pathway and instead found her place at Tournament Golf College (TGC) before then embarking on a Masters at Derby University. Now Smith is studying for a PHD.
“Going to Uni never appealed to me. When I found TGC, I was so happy. It was ideal, playing golf and studying at the same time.
“That was the point where things started to turn around.”
Smith turned professional in 2022 after earning LET status at the 2021 Q School.
However, behind the scenes Smith was struggling.
“Towards the end of Covid-19, I was getting a pain in my leg. It was a shooting pain, and I got to the point where I couldn’t walk.
“I got out of bed and would bum shuffle downstairs every morning. It was Covid and we didn’t want to go to the hospital.
“Eventually it settled down, we went to the GP and then went through the system.”
A consultant found a malformation on Smith’s calf and the Englishwoman underwent a procedure at the start of 2023.
Being forced to miss events, Smith finally recovered but disaster struck when she sustained a shoulder injury.
“I was playing on the Clutch Pro Tour at the time in Ireland. I decided to take a couple of weeks off but then that turned into six months off.
“So, my 2023 season was done before it even started.”
Luckily for us Smith recovered, bravely attended Q School not knowing if she could complete it, earnt LETAS status and the rest they say is history.
Since earning her LETAS Card, Smith has been enjoying a well-deserved rest to let everything sink in and is yet to pick up the clubs again.
“I’m still riding the wave of joy. I’ve done a few interviews, celebrated a little and rested.
“I’ve been wanting this rest for a while. It’s a good feeling not having to work towards Q School.”
But we know, once Smith picks up the clubs again, we can expect big things from Smith next year on the LET.
To hear more about Smith’s journey and to learn more about the player listen to this week’s episode of LETAS Chat.
