France’s Ariane Klotz had an incredibly consistent season on the LET Access Series (LETAS) to clinch the last LET card available for 2025.
It was a hot start for the Frenchwoman who recorded five top 10 finishes from the second event onwards.
Another tied third position occurred at the Gotland Ladies Open before her last top 10 occurred in Switzerland at the Lavaux Ladies Open.
Overall, Klotz made 14 consecutive cuts and seven top 10 finishes to prove that she belongs on the LET next year.
Speaking about the moment she knew she had clinched her card, Klotz said: “I was sitting down with a friend after the tournament, and I had Natacha across from me and we realised we made it.
“We looked at each other, and I was like oh my god, I went and hugged her.
“I then got a text from my boyfriend saying you’ve succeeded at making my mum cry. The whole experience was very emotional.”
It was a tense end of the season for Klotz who found herself on the periphery of clinching a card.
When Germany’s Helen Briem won the La Sella Open, it was announced the top eight would receive their cards, which was a lifeline for the Frenchwoman, but she knew she still had a fight on her hands.
“It was such a mental battle; I was so close but wasn’t there yet. People may think I got my card because of Helen but it doesn’t feel like a lesser accomplishment.
“I’ve been so close to the seventh and sixth spots all season. I would have hated to have finished seventh instead of any of the girls above me.
“We all deserved it.”
Klotz was born and raised on the island of New Caledonia, a French territory comprising dozens of islands in the South Pacific.
“I had such a great childhood, I was born there and lived there until I was 18. It’s just so small that everybody knows each other.
“It’s such a beautiful place and there’s not much to do except for sports and being outside.
“I had such a sporty childhood. I was always outside, near the water. After school we would hang out at the beach. I wouldn’t have traded it for the world.
“I remember watching American TV shows and thinking I wish I had a high school with the lockers and a prom but now looking back I wouldn’t have wanted it. I love New Caledonia and I’m excited because I will spend a few weeks there for Christmas.”
Yet growing up on a small island, Klotz admits that she was a big fish in a small pond and opportunities to compete against the best amateurs were rare.
“I have quite a different background than others on tour especially as I grew up on an Island.
“People on the island have always wanted my success but I was very far from the French federation.
“It was hard to be spotted as I was not on the same tournament circuit. In my teenage players I was not up against the better players, and I probably didn’t exploit my potential as much.”
Klotz earnt a full golf scholarship at University of Delaware to study civil engineering, a tough degree.
It was there that her dream of becoming a professional golfer became more of a reality, but she was told indirectly that she might never make it, something which made Klotz even more determined.
“I remember my coach from the US saying that one of the other coaches that we played with had looked at me.
“They had said, I remember seeing her and I really didn’t believe she would make it to the US.
“I also heard through other people that I was the biggest loss for the college and New Caledonia. I had potential but it would never happen.
“I’m a little proud, so when I heard that. I was pissed. I said I’m going to prove them wrong. Then I did.
“I proved that you could study a hard degree and still play golf. I proved that not everyone has to have the same path, and everyone is on their own journey.”
After graduating in 2020, Klotz wasn’t sure which path to take so she decided to prioritize her education, delay her dreams of becoming professional and pursue a master’s degree in civil engineering from one of Europe’s top school, EPFL.
“Imposter syndrome is real. I had it when I started my master’s degree and had less time to practice golf. I was still trying to practice as much as I could.
“Tournaments were not going well, and I kept saying what am I doing? I’m saying I’m one of the best in Europe but I’m clearly not.
“It was tough but I kept going with golf and study.”
After finishing her degree, Klotz knew engineering was not for her. It was time to live out her dream of becoming a professional and Ariane turned pro in January 2024 after earning her LETAS card at the LET Q- School in Marrakesh.
“What surprised me most about the profession was other people’s reactions when you tell them what you do for a living.
“They always think oh that’s so cool. I am a professional athlete and that is super fun.
“They probably think it is a little bit more glamorous than it is but it’s still fun.
“It’s always tough to remember though that your worth is not based on how I play.”
“But I just love the lifestyle. I’m very independent and I don’t need to be in a comfortable bed or a cozy home all the time.
“I’ve just really enjoyed meeting people that share the same lifestyle as me. LETAS is such a friendly tour, and I’ve met so many great people that I’m sad to potentially be leaving behind.”
Klotz is leaving LETAS with many fond memories and she recalled her favourite events of the season.
“I loved our week in the Czech Republic at Panorama Golf Course. I thought the course was amazing, the place itself was great. It was a tricky course. I was intimidated by the course in practice but then during the tournament days I knew that it was still gettable.
“The weeks in England were also a lot of fun as we were treated like royalty, golf royalty. It was great to have some crowds.
“But the week in Gotland was also amazing. It was one of those places I would never have gone if it wasn’t for golf. It was a typical island course which brings back a lot of memories of playing at home.”
Klotz can’t wait to tee it up on the LET next season and already has her eyes on some events.
“For me playing Evian at Jabra could be a real highlight. It will be just amazing to play with players that I’ve looked up to and admired.
“I’m hoping Australia is also announced. I haven’t been to the country in a while, and I love that place.”
Hear more from Ariane in this week’s episode of LETAS Chat below.
