“It was an emotional choice while the I have been life style a miracle in public places and you will is a small frightened to improve that,” says Jones. “We didnt need certainly to stain the picture of the LPGA otherwise all matchmaking I had with sponsors, organizations or associates I’d.”

Jones, an extremely quick hitter whose strength on the greens is actually thinking ahead and you may using bravery, was once again considering one-step ahead.

“Before We generated the brand new Olivia statement, We known as LPGA, each of my personal sponsors, my club associates in the Atlanta, all of the communities that i try acting as a representative, and you will few romantic fellow users, to allow them know what I happened to be planning to do,” she states. “I told her or him this is actually enough time so you’re able to bail or plan all the questions they could score.”

“I happened to be not offered that oz out-of negative opinions regarding men and women calls,” Jones states. “It had been no surprise to them and so they didn’t proper care. I really achieved recommendations the following years. The latest LPGA assisted orchestrate my personal mass media appeal. Rather than capturing the niche according to the rug like in brand new prior, they made the change as facile as it is possible for my situation, our very own competitions, sponsors and you can fans.”

Things got altered from the early 2000s, but nonetheless certain from the mass media concerned about her private life. “It had been hard to exposed my personal heart on inquiries asked off me consigli per incontri date my rate personally immediately after a round of great golf, however, in the course of time the questions returned so you’re able to golf therefore are not the big situation more,” she states.

Just what Jones located was the opportunity which have Olivia you to, also the assistance out of the girl sponsors, members of the family therefore the LPGA, provided their a platform on which to help you finally become herself.

What she found out is actually all those agencies who enjoyed their due to the fact a person and you will recognized her because a professional did very unconditionally

“I happened to be sick of perhaps not authenticating just who I happened to be due to the fact good people,” Jones says. “It was a different sort of time in the realm of sporting events and you can life in our nation [than simply when she earliest turned expert.] We thought that this new tour was in a different sort of put, sponsors had been far more abilities-driven plus the public are starting to be more use to the gay lifestyle. So much more entertainers, stars, designers, people in politics was basically aside. It actually was the ultimate going back to myself, the fresh new LPGA and you will all of our admirers.”

Up coming, during the 2004, because the girl LPGA career is actually wandering off, Jones had a business options one to necessary the girl heading public on the lady sexuality

Searching right back 15 years after, the hard to fathom exactly what a world-trembling minute this was for Jones and also for the LPGA, really the flipping away from an essential area for.

“This new views I had from our fans was far more satisfying that money We obtained of my personal the new homosexual recruit,” Jones states. “Individuals appeared of one’s carpentry losing sight of their method thanking me to own developing and being brave to have standing up and you will representing the LBGT community.”

In the 59, Jones are semi-resigned, carrying out woodworking, boating and you may managing their lover of fourteen many years, Carrie Sexton, toward Hilton Direct Island. “The new addition was Berty, brand new canine lady,” Jones states, “And you will Im working hard back at my video game to the You.S. Senior Ladies Discover, Older LPGA therefore the Stories Concert tour.”

“It absolutely was extremely thrilling and cathartic for me to respond to your questions,” she told you. “I believe very a feeling of independence and empowerment so you’re able to ultimately share and you can reveal exactly what it was particularly for my situation and lots of someone else at that moment with the journey. Thank you so much a great deal getting thinking about me and you will reminding me off my personal sound.”