LOCAL CONNECTION Boardman's Kelly Cap hopes for more chances to play

The 1991 Spartans graduate has played in only one LPGA event this year.
By PETE MOLLICA
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
VIENNA -- Things haven't been going the way Kelly Cap had hoped this season on the LPGA Tour.
The Boardman native is the No. 1 conditional player on the tour. That usually means that she would get to play in most of the tour's full field events.
That just hasn't happened for Cap.
The 1991 Boardman High graduate and four-time All-American at Methodist College has played in only one LPGA event this year, but will be playing in her second one when she competes in the Giant Eagle LPGA Classic at Squaw Creek Country Club.
This is Cap's second season on the LPGA Tour. In her rookie season in 2001 she played in 15 tournaments, but made the cut only twice.
Last year she failed to get her tournament playing card back, but this was the year she looked forward to playing.
No chance to play
"It's been disappointing and frustrating not getting a chance to play in the tournaments," she said. "I really felt that being the No. 1 conditional player that I would be playing in most of the events, but it hasn't worked out that way.
"The only way that you can improve your status on tour is to play, and you can't play if you can't get into the tournament."
Cap finished tied for 24th place at last year's qualifying school. The top 23 players earned their exempt status to play in all events. She missed by one stroke.
She has played in only one LPGA event, The Asahi Ryokuken International in North Augusta, S.C., where she missed the cut.
"I'll be playing real well and can't get into a tournament; then when I do, my game isn't the same," she said. "I'm playing pretty good right now, and I had a lesson from my coach a couple of weeks ago and I feel good about this week.
"I think that things are going to pick up for me now," she added. "I'm playing this week and I'm listed in the field for next week's tournament in Rochester."
Fewer tournaments
Cap said the reason it has been so difficult to get into the tournaments this year is because the number of tournaments has dropped considerably.
"We've lost about seven or eight tournaments in the last two years, and now there just aren't that many full field events, and the exempt players are playing in most of them," she said.
"I feel that I've learned a lot since my rookie season," she said. "Now if only I can get in some tournaments and put it to good use."
Next week at Rochester, Cap also will be taking part in a U.S. Open qualifying event on the Monday of tournament week.
"I am really looking forward to getting into the U.S. Open again. I played in it last year and it was a tremendous experience," she said.
Visiting parents
This week is extra special for Cap since she is spending it at home with her father and mother, George and Nancy Cap of Boardman.
"It's nice to be home with Mom and Dad, sleeping in my own bed and visiting with friends and relatives," she added.
"I love this golf course and I'm looking forward to a good week here."
Cap played in Monday's Home Savings Pro-Am, and is an alternate for Thursday's Cellular One Pro-Am.