10 QUESTIONS WITH PAULA RETO
Your
favourite holiday destination is...
Hawaii
Most
embarrassing moment on tour/at a competition was...
Without question during my first event when I shacked the ball
right in front of the spectators.
Growing
up, my sports idols were...
Tiger Woods and Annika Sorenstam
My
biggest dream is...
To become the best I can be!
My
most successful course is...
Hillcrest in South Florida where I shot a 62.
My
worst injury was...
Thankfully, I haven’t had any bad ones.
I
miss (what/who) most when I’m away on tour?
My sister and my dog, Putter!
Which
5 adjectives describe you best?
Friendly, competitive, helpful, caring and positive.
I
would want my legacy to be...
That Paula Reto was a nice person and a great golfer.
My
lucky charm is...
I don’t really have any specific that I would regard a lucky charm.
10 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT PAULA RETO
The
type/genre of music you like listening to in order to de-stress or psyche
yourself up?
R&B and sometimes a bit of Hip Hop
I
love (cats or dogs)?
Both
My
favourite period in my personal history was...
When I was a child and had no worries!
If
I could be anyone (sportsman/women/celebrity/personality/icon/legend) in the
world, I would choose to be...
Myself, but I would also want to be a celebrity.
I
prefer (air, road, sea) travel...
I love road trips but that is sometimes limited so I have been
getting used to air travel.
My
favourite colour is...
Orange
My
pet peeve is...
Can’t think of any.
I
am a (morning person or night owl)...
Definitely a morning person.
My
biggest challenge has been...
Getting used to all the challenges on tour and of course
regularly flying long distances.
If
I had a time machine, I would turn back/fast-forward the clock to the year...
I’m content with the way my life has evolved and I have really enjoyed
all the experiences I’ve had, even
the obstacles I’ve overcome because those have shaped the person I am today and
helped me appreciate and love my family and friends even more because of their
support and encouragement.
FEATURE: LIFE ON TOUR
Just
over a year after turning professional, Cape Town born Paula Reto is anxiously
awaiting the start of the Cell C SA Women’s Open at the San Lameer Country Club
from 16 to 19 October. Although she is becoming a familiar face at LPGA tour
events and at USA golf courses, Reto has not yet had the opportunity to
participate in South Africa’s oldest women’s professional golf tournament.
“I
will be competing in events before the Cell C SA Women’s Open tees off, but I’m
very excited about participating in my first SA Women’s Open. This tournament
has so much history and has provided an excellent platform for many South
African golfers to go on to succeed abroad, so for me it’s a proud moment and
one in which I hope to play the very best I can.”
The
24-year old, based in Indiana where she’s majoring in Law and Society at Purdue
University, has quickly moved from amateur to professional, especially when you
bear in mind that her decision to play golf and pursue the sport professionally
was less than 10 years ago.
This
bubbly up-and-coming young lady credits her father Paul as her biggest
inspiration.
“My
dad inspired me to chase my dreams and was very supportive and still is – I’m
blessed to have his positive influence and encouragement.”
Paula
radiates enjoyment and love for the sport she’s chosen to give her all to.
“I
love playing on Tour every week, travelling, playing on different courses and
meeting different people. Every week is an adventure.”
Constant
and long-distance travelling is not everyone’s cup of tea, but for Paula it’s
just one of the perks of the job.
Although
still new to the professional circuit and young in years, Reto is very mature
and has a strong and determined mind. Though yet to travel extensively abroad,
she has already given thought to certain obstacles or barriers along the way.
“I
have thought a lot about getting around and conquering language barriers but I
did take some Spanish classes while at school which I’m hoping will get me by.
It’s also somewhat difficult to maintain your specific dietary requirements
while on Tour but fortunately there is always a buffet option at tournaments.
The food is usually good which helps because it’s the closest we get to a home-cooked
meal for a while.”
Reto
says the psychological aspect of the game can sometimes take charge but
stresses the importance of a strong, healthy and determined mind.
“It
can be very challenging to stay strong, remain positive and to psyche yourself
up when results are not going your way but you just have to persevere, keep
telling yourself or reminding yourself that you’re better than your results
suggest.”
During
her amateur career, Paula bagged several notable achievements including: 2013
First-Team All-American by GWCA; individual third place finish at 2013 NCAA
Championships; named 2013 Mary Fossum Award winner for low stroke average in
the Big Ten Conference; three-time First Team All-Big Ten Conference Selection
(2011 to 2013) and was a member of the 2010 NCAA National Championship team.
After
turning professional in June 2013, Reto played on the Symetra Tour – Road to
the LPGA and recorded a season-best third-place finish at the Symetra Tour
Championship and she finished T13 at the 2013 LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament
to earn Priority List Category 12 for the 2014 LPGA Tour Season.
Those
who know young Paula Reto will be sure to tell you that she dreams big and
works very hard to achieve her goals.
Although
focused on her goals and targets, Reto certainly knows how to let her hair down
and have fun while at “the office”.
 |
| San Lameer Country Club Pic by Rogan Ward |
San Lameer Country Club:
Have you played
at the San Lameer Country Club before?
No
I haven’t, but I’m really looking forward it.
What are your
expectations/targets for the Cell C SA Women's Open?
I’m going to do the best I
can and would love to do really well in my first SA Women’s Open. Q&A done by Renelle Naidoo
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