USIU’s Maritz Will Try to Join Pro Golf Tour

Two days after playing in her last collegiate golf tournament, United States International University’s Laurette Maritz announced Tuesday that she will try to become a member of the Ladies Professional Golf Assn. Tour this summer.

In August, Maritz, 23, plans to enter the LPGA qualifying tournament at Topeka, Kan., where she can earn her tour card if she finishes among the top 30 golfers.

Maritz, who graduates from USIU Sunday, said she will delay her attempt to turn pro for two months to visit her parents in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Maritz’s first LPGA tournament was in April 1986, when she was one of two amateurs to qualify for the Kyocera Inamori tournament at Bernardo Heights. Maritz shot a six-over-par 150 in the first two rounds and missed the cut.

“I think the more you get used to (playing in professional tournaments), the better you play,� Maritz said. “I think mostly it will be a mental change.�

Maritz also announced Tuesday that she has signed with Garvey Management Group, a La Jolla firm owned by Padre first baseman Steve Garvey, that will arrange endorsement agreements with manufacturers of golf equipment.