Laetitia’s sister was not sure of the new hats that she made for LPGA qualification school. Was it a good idea for Jews to display Jewish symbols in public, given the rise of antisemitism across the U.S.?
Beck, 31, didn’t back down. She kept adding to her collection – the Israeli flag, Star of David, and belt buckle on her hats, shoes, and bracelets.
“I’m aware that the Israeli government warns us not to wear Jewish symbols when we travel, but again,” Beck said, “I made these hats because i wanted to wear them. It’s important to me that I can show my identity.
Beck was the first Israeli to receive an LPGA card eight years ago. She earned full LPGA status in Mobile, Alabama on Wednesday, the first time since five years. With a 5-under-par 67 in the final round, she tied for 10th place at the Q-Series and was awarded the highest status.
Beck’s family history has always been a major factor in her desire to make history, both for her community as well as for her country. Her maternal grandparents suffered at Auschwitz in ways that are unimaginable, while her paternal grandfathers moved from place to place during World War II. Beck and her mom talk about the Holocaust almost every day.
Laetitia Beck of Israel hits her shot on the third tee at Magnolia Grove Golf course during the sixth round LPGA Q-School in Mobile, Alabama, on the 6th of December 2023. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images).
Hamas militants have been attacking southern Israel for two months, killing more than 1,200 people. They also took 240 hostages.
She said that she didn’t put any pressure on herself to get the Israeli flag on the LPGA. “But I knew it was pretty important for me knowing what was happening.”
Beck’s Whatsapp family conversation has included updates from Tel Aviv since the war started on who is in which bomb shelters at any given time. For Beck’s parents and siblings, Missel sirens are a daily occurrence.
Beck says that she often checks up on her loved ones when they are out with their friends, or at the beach.
Beck said, “It shows that my family is obviously devastated by what happened on Saturday,” but they are still trying to live their lives.
Beck will return to Israel in two weeks after picking up gifts for her nieces, nephews and other family members. After finishing 20th in the Epson Tour Money List (top 10 earn LPGA Cards), Beck still had some work to do.
Beck, who lives in the U.S.A., said that he sometimes feels guilty about his location. “But I do my best to make everybody there proud.”
Beck’s family moved to Israel from Belgium in 1998, to escape rising antisemitism. She grew in a neighborhood that was within walking distance from Israel’s one 18-hole course, Caesarea Golf Club. Beck, a five-time Israeli Open winner, played college golf at Duke University and helped the Blue Devils to win the 2014 NCAA Championship. In the summer of 2013, she was the first Israeli woman professional golfer, making her debut at the Ricoh Women’s British Open in Royal Birkdale.
Morgan Pressel, her younger sister Madison, and grandmother Evelyn played golf at Caesarea Golf Club in Israel back in 2011.
Pressel, a former major champion and now analyst for Golf Channel NBC, said: “(Laetitia is) definitely a figure within the Jewish golf community.” It’s a tight-knit community. She has so many supporters that I am sure she won’t ever meet.
Pressel said that the difficulty of returning to the LPGA following a loss of status for several year’s is not discussed enough. He called it one of the toughest feats in the game, both mentally as well as financially.
Pressel said that the Epson Tour was a great way to get into the LPGA, but it wasn’t a tour in which you could make enough money to live on.
Pressel said that now that Beck has returned to the LPGA there is no doubt that the 2016 Olympian’s mind will be on Paris.
Beck was unsure if she would be playing in her final season at the start of this year. She contacted Julie Elion after the attacks on Oct. 7, who is a performance coach for Ryder Cup players Justin Thomas and Max Homa, as well as Wyndham Clark. Beck had only two sessions with Elion prior to the Q-Series, but she felt more comfortable in Mobile after having a different voice in her head.
Beck is often asked how people can help. She points out organizations that assist the Israeli communities who have suffered so much loss, as well as thousands of IDF troops suffering from PTSD.
Beck, who was in college in the U.S. 10 years ago, has been shocked by the rise in antisemitism, especially among those with the highest education. Anti-Defamation League reports that antisemitic crimes in the U.S. increased by 400% in two weeks following the Oct. 7th.
Beck said, “The conflict may be complex, but there is no real reason for hatred of the Jewish people.” “That’s what scares me.
“I wear a Star of David pendant, but I decided to put a large Star of David on top of my hat for the last month.” “I feel prouder now and want to be louder too.”
