The professionals make it and they spend it

Dottie Pepper accidentally threw away a $90,000 check, but then found it.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
VIENNA -- Dottie Pepper has won more than $7 million in her LPGA career and she said she's usually been pretty wise with it.
With one exception.
"I actually threw away a $90,000 check when I won in Atlanta in 1990," she said, laughing. "I got the check on site before direct deposit, I picked it up in Nashville and, when I was going through my mail, I accidentally put it in the throwaway pile.
"I got halfway back to the hotel and I realized I had the wrong pile. We went back and went through the garbage and found it."
Five years later, Pepper again played loose with her money. Only this time, it was intentional.
"The coolest thing I ever bought was a Cadillac in Columbiana," said Pepper, who withdrew from this year's Giant Eagle LPGA Classic on Friday with the flu. "I always wanted a red Cadillac and after I won the Skins Game in 1995, by the time everything was taken out for charity, taxes, the LPGA and my caddie, I bought it."
Sometimes they splurge
There are a lot of good things about being a professional golfer. Money is definitely one of them. While most players on tour are pretty wise with their winnings, occasionally they'll splurge on something big.
Sometimes, they regret it.
"My husband and I bought a BMW a little while ago," said Laura Diaz, who has won nearly $2.5 million on tour. "It was the worst car-buying experience I've ever had. We had it for maybe two months. I didn't like the car. I didn't like the BMW service.
"When we returned it, I actually told them I was going to write something about it, so here goes."
Diaz ended up trading in the car for two Lexuses.
"It was the best thing we ever did," she said.
Gloria Park bought a car with her winnings, but not right away.
"I just got my license," she said. "Then I bought a car."
Has won more than million
Park, who has won more than $1 million on tour, also bought a home in Las Vegas. She also likes music, movies and video games, so she does more than just invest her money.
"I do buy a lot of things," she said.
Leta Lindley has never finished higher than second in an LPGA tournament, but she was in contention entering today's final round.
What would she buy if she won?
"I'd probably buy something for my son," said Lindley, whose son Cole was born four months ago. "We just bought a van because of him. He's so small, but he has so many things."
Bought farm, horses
Tammie Green has won more than $4 million since turning pro in 1987, but she doesn't like to buy anything fancy. She bought a farm a few years ago and a couple horses.
"Good quarter horses," she said. "We had a couple crazy horses we had to ride before."
So has she ever bought anything she regretted?
"No, not really," she said. "I've never bought anything really exciting. Mostly it's just stuff for my farm."
No Ferraris or Lamborghinis?
"Nope," she said. "I bought a truck and it suits me just fine."
scalzo@vindy.com