GOLF SCENE:Redfearn has chosen golf

The choice was easy for Martha Redfearn, though it may have been perceived as difficult by others.

Three years ago, doctors told her the pain in her neck needed to be alleviated by giving up her career as a dental hygienist or her “hobby” of golf.

Another source of income for Redfearn, a Newport Coast resident, came from selling jewelry. She believed she could give up the security that came from being a dental hygienist and go into sales full time.

But this is not a story about a successful career change. This tale is about how a small white ball has had a strong impression in the life of this mother, salesperson and competitor.

Income and sales goals aside, Redfearn really made her life-altering choice three years ago because of her love for golf.

“I had patients and hated to leave,” Redfearn said of leaving her dental career. “But I’m not giving up golf.”

Call it coincidence, but since she left her 20-year career, she has won three straight women’s titles at Big Canyon Country Club. It hasn’t been about low scores, yet more about her strong desire to win.

Before, she had to settle for runner-up status, but then came her three-year run, which was capped by her recent championship last month. That, again, qualified her for the Jones Cup, that will be played at Big Canyon.

A date has not been determined yet, but it is expected to be in August. Last year, Redfearn missed the event because she had already made vacation plans.

The year before, when she won her first women’s club title, Big Canyon captured the Jones Cup, the annual event featuring the top players from four Newport-Mesa clubs.

She doesn’t want to miss this year’s Jones Cup, but if it interferes with her family vacation again, the Big Canyon team will need to find a sub.

Family’s too important to Redfearn. That family consists of two sons, Chad, 10, and Cole, 12, and her husband, Wayne, who got his wife into golfing.

Before they married 15 years ago, Wayne presented with her a gift that would strengthen their relationship.

He gave her a set of golf clubs.

“He told me, ‘This is what I do, so you might want to learn how to play,’ ” said Redfearn, who has played tennis most of her life. “I loved [golf] right away. I wish I learned that instead of tennis … I have more passion for golf than tennis. Golf, I think it’s a mental challenge. Part of it you love. Part of it you hate. It’s so elusive. You have one great round and the next day you start over again.”

STEVE VIRGEN may be reached at (714) 966-4616 or steve.virgen@latimes.com.