Chatting to Pro Golfer, Welsh lady Sahra Hassan

Cell C SA Women’s Open

Sahra Hassan

The upbeat Welsh golfer, Sahra Hassan from Newport was back in the country to tee-off for the Cell C SA Women’s Open.

“This is my third time taking part in the SA Women’s Open,” the cheerful individual stated. “I love it but San Lameer is going to be testing! This is my first time I am playing here and it looks like a good challenge.”

“I managed to hit a few balls at the range but got drenched in the downpour; my clubs and bag are off drying at the mo. I did a bit of putting earlier as well so I am feeling good ahead of the tournament tomorrow (Thursday).”

During the build-up to the London Olympics, Hassan was awarded the 2012 United Kingdom Sportswoman of the Year by the Muslim Women’s Sports Foundation at Wembley Stadium, “It was perhaps the proudest moment of my career. I didn’t even know that I had been nominated to be honest.”

“I was up against a pro soccer player and a basketball player. I really hadn’t expected to be recognised with the award. I hadn’t even prepared a speech!” she says with a grin.

The 26year old golfer will be playing with in-form South African Nicole Garcia and French player Ariane Provot. “I was in the South of France in Biarittz two weeks ago playing in the Lacoste Ladies Open de France. I almost got a hole-in-one! It was so close, it teasingly hit the pin and frustratingly bounced out!” an animated Hassan claims.

Continuing, the relaxed player states, “I don’t have any real favourite moments that stand out for me, I have a terrible memory but had I landed that hole-in-one in France, that moment would have stood out for me!”

“I love the game because it is relaxing and yet so frustrating, it’s difficult to describe. I was a fairly decent tennis player back in the day. I got to warm-up with Serena and Venus Williams; that was really cool! When I was 13years old my tennis coach recommended I take a month off which I did. My dad was a keen golfer, so I started playing with him and have never looked back. I still play a bit of tennis with my mates when I get the time.”

Chatting about any difficulties she has had to overcome, she gently responds, “The first time I was ever challenged, I was too young to really understand what was going on. I was playing girls almost double my age. When I was about ten, I was taking on 18year olds - and I was beating them. In one instance, my opponent did take the defeat to well and resorted to a few racial remarks.”

“I didn’t retaliate, didn’t know how but those words had an impact on me!”

Coming from a very supportive close family, the optimistic sports star encourages, “What advice would I give if I were standing up in front of group of people I would tell them....RUN!” she breaks into a beaming smile and continues,  “No, just kidding. The advice is simple. Take a deep breath and try and relax. And smile!”

“I think if you really wanted to overcome adversity, the first step would be making up your mind to make a change. Like in golf, you have to be mentally strong to overcome life’s challenges. I have the support of my extended family and close friends and I am extremely fortunate to have this. Together with their support and hard work, I am able to live out my dream. How lucky am I?”

Asked what is next for her, after the Cell C SA Women’s Open, she concludes, “I head home for three weeks to rejuvenate before three more big events to end off the year. I am off to play in China in mid-November, then head to New Delhi in India at the beginning of December with my last stop for the year in Dubai.

For more info visit www.sawomensopen.co.za or www.ladieseuropeantour.com

To follow Sahra Hassan, find her on twitter: @sahra_hassan13

All pix by Justin Klusener

Chatting to her after the event, Sahra said a moment that stood out for her was the opening function - a traditional braai or BBQ. "The braai was great fun, loved the traditional food!"
In regards to her score of +4 (72, 76 & 72) she said, "I am happy with where I finished, hit the ball great all week, just couldn't buy a putt! Very frustrating as I could of finished well up there if I'd holed a few, but just didn't happen for me."
And speaking about San Lameer, the wonderful welsh lady said, "The course was great, loved it, considering the bad weather we had it was still in great condition. I just found the greens tricky!"

Chatting to Amateur Golfer, Lizzie Currie

Cell C SA Women’s Open

Lizzie Currie

On the last day of last week’s Golf Inter-Provincials in Cape Town, Port Shepstone’s young Lizzie Currie got a fantastic surprise, a phone call inviting her to participate in this week’s Cell C SA Women’s Open.

Catching up with the amateur golfer as she frantically fills in registration forms, she admits, “I am feeling super excited but on the same hand extremely nervous. It is such a wonderful opportunity; I would have been crazy to turn it down. I am going into the tournament to learn as much as possible.”

Continuing, the upbeat golfer says, “I am lucky that I have played the course a few times. My first time playing a round was actually at San Lameer.” She says with a chuckle. “I owned a set of golf clubs by my choice of sport at school was cricket. My cricket coach, Anthony Mulligan from Creston College came up to me and asked if I could help out the golf team as they were a player down. I agreed to it and the next day was playing my first round at San Lameer.”

“It was only after school when a friend of mine, David Rush suggested I have a session with Nicola Eaton who had returned from America and had started coaching. Let’s just say I was a natural. I still have so much to learn, at the moment I am working hard on my mental game and learning to build my confidence.”

Nearing the end of her second gap year after matriculating from Southcity, the determined sport star is planning on studying via correspondence. “I am going to be doing studying Business Management next year while helping my Mom out at her work.  The flexibility of correspondence allows me to focus both on working with Mom and getting hands on experience but also gives me the freedom to continue my dream of turning pro.”

“I remember watching my golfing hero, Lee-Anne Pace taking part in the SA Women’s Open in 2012. She fluffed a shot but her attitude and reaction remains with me to this day. She wasn’t ruffled; she smiled and was so positive that nothing was going to get her down, a lesson that we all can learn when curve balls are tossed at us. Her attitude was awesome.”

“I got to meet her and she autographed my book. When I was watching the tournament, she even remembered who I was and acknowledged me on the side lines. A true legend!”

Chatting to the South Coast legend in the making, she has the support of her entire family, “Everyone except my Mom plays golf, even my two nephews’ play – they are actually pretty good for their age. My older brother, Donovan is going to be on my bag which will be great having his support.”

On concluding, her advice that she lives by, “Never, never give up.”

We watch keenly as our local player takes on the worlds best this week and hope that she persists and does Port Shepstone proud!

Pix by Justin Klusener

Chatting to Golfing Guru and Tournament Promoter Lesley Copeman

Cell C SA Women's Open
Somerset West

Lesley Copeman

Having the opportunity to chat with golfing guru, Lesley Copeman, it feels like you are surfing Wikipedia researching Women’s Golf, but her descriptions are far more colourful and entertaining than looking at a computer screen.

Copeman is hard at work making this year’s Cell C SA Women’s Open tournament a huge success. With the title of Tournament Promoter, she is at the helm helping organise South Africa’s oldest women’s professional golf tournament that tees off at the recently refurbished San Lameer Country Club.

“I wouldn’t like to tip one favourite in particular; we have such a strong field at this year’s tournament. But it is going to be exciting watching the top ladies which is perhaps a pool of 15 to 20 players. The in-form ladies like Lee-Anne (Pace); Paula (Reto) or Connie Chen who is really performing at the moment, they are all South Africa stars and could be the ones to watch. Along with American Cheyenne Woods, British players Charley Hull and Trish Johnson who is of course the oldest lady competing but she is playing great golf.”

Smiling, she continues, “It is impossible to choose because one round, or one mistake and it can all go to pot and a complete outside who is playing consistently can take the lead. It could really go to anybody”

Talking about how she got into playing golf, she states, “I used to participate in field hockey and play a bit of tennis but honestly, I was a golfing orphan. Both my parents and my brother played so it was either being home alone or go and join them. The first course I played was in Swartkop up in Pretoria.”

“Comparing the modern day game to when I played, the courses have gotten longer but the equipment has gotten better. There are more girls trying to get onto the circuit but when I was starting out, you still had to qualify! There are of course differences but it is still the same obstacles.”

Continuing she says, “Back in the day, our equipment wasn’t advanced as it is nowadays, so playing was a bit more difficult. Training for us was a little bit of gym and quite a lot of mental training. My game changed when I read a book called ‘The Power of Positive Thinking’ by John C Maxwell; I was able to move to a different level.”

“All of the techniques used today have gotten a lot better. Nowadays, it is gym, the way you eat, the way you think. We were at the beginning of that era. I was still playing when Sweden’s Annika Sörenstam first hit the scene and she started the changes towards the modern day game.”

Asked which her favourite courses are, she claims, “Shew, it’s like music, it all depends on my mood. I would have to say East London would feature, as well as the Wild Coast, Suncity and of course San Lameer. They suit my game and have beautiful scenery around them.”

San Lameer is said to be a tight course where you have to place your shot very carefully and if the wind comes up it is going to be a huge challenge. “I was very good on Iron play and was accurate. Anything from 150yards in, I was very good with it. That was my strength.”

With a handicap of 5, she still enjoys a social round, “I still play a little but I would say my hobbies are more leisure orientated. Pottering in the garden or cooking. I occasionally get to play a round with my brother.”

The Somerset West resident is gearing up to watch 124 top international and national players take to the greens in the game that is close to her heart.

For more info visit www.sawomensopen.co.za

Take Your Teddy to Work Day

Everybody remembers their first teddy bear – and for many of us, they remain a source of comfort and companionship well into our adult life. Some enjoy a jetsetting lifestyle with their glamorous owners, others simply get a space  next to the pillow and a cuddle before bed.

Allowing your favourite furry friend to hang out with you at work or at play, the annual international fun day, Take your Teddy Bear to Work day is being observed worldwide tomorrow, (Saturday). Showing off their furry friends are twin sisters Nicola Eaton Gutzeit (in white) and Melissa Eaton (in blue) from Margate with Fudgey the dog and Wartie the Warthog. The twins both have a keen passion for wild life, animals and game reserves with a soft spot for dogs and warthogs.

The two golfing sisters are gearing up for the upcoming Cell C SA Women’s Open tournament that starts next week (16 – 19 October) at the picturesque course at San Lameer Country Club. Fudgey and Wartie will be accompanying the twins as they tackle the greens along with a strong field of international and national golfers.

The Teddy Bear made famous by American President, Theodore Rosevelt in 1902 is an essential item when growing up and often these furry little friends turn into great travelling companions and good luck charms. They hang off tog-bags in a variety of sporting codes.

Olympic Bronze Medallist, Bridgitte Hartley admits, “I have teddy bears as I love the little mascots. I have collected them from Olympics and some world championship events but they aren’t my lucky charms. Most of them sit proudly at my Mom’s house in Richard’s Bay. My little furry friends come from the Beijing and London Olympics, a bear from Canada and my most recent addition is one from Russia. I have Mandeville and Wenlock from London, Nini from Beijing, a Takalani Sesame Street bear from Canada where I won my k1 1000m medal at world champs in 2009. I guess London was special from my medal, so I collected a few bears there. I also have a white bear from my Pretoria High School reunion. I would say my bears are more like memories than lucky charms.”

Local lass, Olympic Marathon Runner Tanith Maxwell travels with her teddy bear. Durban’s top athlete states, “It is a small ‘wee fuzz’ bear simply named Fuzz. He is extremely special because he comes from a collector in New Zealand!”

Canadian Olympic bobsledder, American Basketball player and Hollywood actor, Howard Dell who shattered records in last year’s World Transplant Games in Durban travels with his fluffy bunny. Dell states, “Oddly I affectionately call him Bunny but his real name is Luther. He isn’t travelling with me at the moment as I compete in Romania but usually he does!” the gorgeous athlete said.

Admitting to having a lucky charm, Olympic Marathon runner Rene Kalmer who has just returned from Berlin having run a personal best time, always travels with her lucky pillow.

Golfing great, Tiger Woods lucky charm is wearing a red shirt on Sundays at major tournaments and has since he stepped onto the professional stage. The colour is said to honour is alma mater, Stanford , and it is believed it is his mother’s favourite colour. His niece, Cheyenne  will be one of the top players participating in the Cell C SA Women’s Open tournament.

South Africa’s oldest women’s professional golf tournament will feature the country’s leading professionals competing against a strong international field representing at least 20 countries for a total purse of €320 000. The tournament will be co-sanctioned by the Ladies European Tour and the Women’s Professional Golf Association of South Africa.

For more info visit www.sawomensopen.co.za

Pix by Justin Klusener and supplied by athletes

Chatting to Pro Golfer Nicola Eaton Gutzeit about technology

Questions:

Something I can’t believe I Googled:  

I have to admit with a chuckle, but I have googled myself. We all do it don't we?

The most hi-tech gadget I own:

I have a number of high tech clubs and equipment but in regards to gadgets, I absolutely love my iPad and iPhone. 

The strangest quiz I ever taken:

It was fairly recently having tied the knot not so long ago, but I answered a quiz for my Bachelorette which was pretty strange.

The last thing the internet taught me:

How to cook a chicken masala which actually turned out fabulously, I am very proud to say!

If someone went through my browsing history, they’d assume I am….

A shopaholic… which isn’t far from the truth, like lots of ladies, I do love to shop.

The last profound thought I had about technology was:

I don't really think about technology so much but I would say how small the world is with technology. Almost everything is possible and so easily sourced. Just a click away.

The weirdest result I found after Googling myself:

That people actually think I am someone else, can u believe that? They think I'm Melissa. Problems of having a look-a-like twin. Confusing almost everyone and the media.

The funniest Google-generated auto suggestion I’ve seen:

Honestly I can't remember, my browsing is usually quite precise.

A meme is a…

An idea, behaviour or style that spreads from person to person within a culture! 

I’m a nerd because…..

I googled what a meme is…

Chatting to Moroccan Maha Haddioui ahead of the Cell C SA Women's Open

She’s stylish on the course and a trailblazer in a region of the world where women are oppressed and restricted from expressing their talent or exercising their freedom. Born in Morocco, Maha Haddioui is the only Arab and Moroccan woman to become a professional golfer and has been making significant progress since turning pro in 2010 to achieving her ultimate dream...qualifying for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

Educated in the United States, Maha says she feels blessed everyday not just because she is able to pursue her dream in professional women’s golf but also because her parents gave her the support and encouragement to do so.

“I feel incredibly lucky to have such liberal and supportive parents who gave me the opportunities and support I needed to become a professional golfer. Neither of my parents plays golf but we lived next to a golf course when I was growing up which meant I could play whenever I wanted to.”

Golf is a non-mainstream sport in Morocco but thanks to Maha’s participation and success on the Ladies European Tour (LET), she has raised awareness and increased interest among younger players.

“Women’s golf is growing in Morocco and there is an attempt to market ourselves as a golf destination in the region which has therefore seen the birth of several golf courses in recent years from 20 in 2010 to about 45 come 2015. We also have more academies now, which has seen a greater interest in the sport especially from younger girls. Currently we have three amateurs with great potential including my sister and a few Arab champions and the Trophy Hassan II and Lalla Meryem Cup also helps to promote the sport in our country.”

She added: “I would love to see more Moroccans participating in golf and become professionals and for more women to join me on the LET.”

The Moroccan heroine has been a good influence on her younger sister Nezha who is also studying at Lynn University in Florida and is working on qualifying for the Tour.

Maha is impressed with the state of golf in South Africa.

“I could confidently say that golf in South Africa is the most developed on the continent and it is something that the rest of us look up to and aspire to. I know a few of the South African ladies on the LET and one of my favourites is Lee-Anne Pace. I love her rhythm and the way she plays on the courses.”

The 25-year old will carry her nation’s hopes when she tees off at the Cell C SA Women’s Open at the San Lameer Country Club from 16 to 19 October. Excited about returning to South African shores, Maha says she enjoys competing in SA’s oldest women’s professional tournament.

“I love the fact that South Africa invests so much in women’s golf and that this tournament provides such a good platform for local and international golfers.”

Like many of her international counterparts, the Moroccan star will have to quickly acclimatise when she touches down in KZN.

“My first big challenge will be recovering from the long flight to South Africa but with all the travelling I have been doing, I don’t think it will be too much of an issue.”

This year’s tournament, with a prize fund of €320 000, takes place at the San Lameer Country Club, a course Maha has not played at before.

“I’m really looking forward to discovering this course. This will be one of the last tournaments of the year and it has a good prize fund so it’s definitely a good opportunity to put in a good performance and gain some points in the rankings. My goal for the Cell C SA Women’s Open would be a top 10 finish! My game has been steadily improving on various levels and I’m just waiting for everything to come together.”

While excited about visiting San Lameer, Maha says she loved her experience at Southbroom last year.

“I absolutely adore the KZN South Coast more so because I was able to feast on oysters off the beach in the mornings.”

Improving her game and making her mark on the LET are top of mind for this skilled Arab beauty who ultimately dreams of representing her country and Africa at the 2016 Olympic Games.

“I am working extremely hard to qualify and represent my country in Brazil in 2016. It is going to be incredibly challenging to qualify but I’m going to give it my all. It would be absolutely amazing representing Morocco and being part of the African contingent at the next Olympic Games.”

Words by Renelle Naidoo

Chatting to Pro Golfer Morgana Robbertze ahead of Cell C SA Women's Open

Johannesburg professional golfer Morgana Robbertze has been a familiar face in domestic and international Ladies European Tour (LET) tournaments for more than a decade. She started playing golf at the age of 19 and earned her junior and senior Springbok colours as an amateur. Standing at 1.77m tall, this blonde-haired, blue-eyed Johannesburg golfer has worked tirelessly to make her mark in women’s golf, with her most memorable victory to date being the Pam Golding South African Open in 2005. Last year, she competed in five LET events and made the cut at the Turkish Airlines Ladies Open. Anticipation is mounting for the Gauteng golfer as the clock ticks down to the start of the Cell C SA Women’s Open, a tournament she wants to win in front of a home crowd. Robbertze, who holds a diploma in Sports Psychology, has managed to live a healthy and balanced lifestyle which includes making time for some of her favourite pastimes including reading, playing tennis, rowing and yoga.

Pic from www.supersport.com - Morgana Robbertze © Gallo Images

We chatted to 34-year old Morgana Robbertze about practising yoga and the associated benefits…

Q: How long have you been practising yoga and why did you choose this type of activity over other types of physical training?

A: I did yoga for about a year when I had just come on to the Ladies European Tour. Actually I didn’t do yoga exclusively, it was an addition to the cardio and strength training I was doing at the time.

Q: How beneficial has yoga been for you and your game?

A: Yoga helped a lot to improve my concentration and focus on the course.

Q: Other athletes have reported an increase in strength, presence of mind and improved sleep as instant results due to the practice of yoga. Did you experience the same results?

A: I did experience all of the above but I’m also of the belief that you can use any discipline to harness your inner strength and concentration, especially with physical activity.

Q: Did you see and experience further improvement as you progressed in your career and on the LET?

A: Yes, I think the biggest improvement was in the mental aspect of my game.

Q: Do you think that the practice of yoga gives you an advantage over your fellow competitors?

A: I believe that any extra work I do will benefit me more than my competitors.

Q: How do you implement what you’ve learnt in yoga classes to your golf game?

A: My approach is a single-minded one which sees me focussing completely using my body’s ability to help me in pressurised situations.

Q: What do you love most about yoga?

A: It was a great form of relaxation.

Q: Would you recommend yoga to other athletes?

A: Absolutely! You see results and improvements soon after you start and it really helps with your focus and core strength. 

Pic from www.sunshineladiestour.com 

Q&A done by Renelle Naidoo

Chatting to Pro Golfer Lee-Anne Pace ahead of Cell C SA Women's SA Open

10 Things you didn’t know about LEE-ANNE PACE

What was the longest time you’ve ever slept for?

Approximately 12 hours but it could possibly have been 15 hours because I think there might have been a break in-between.

Facebook, Instagram or Twitter?

Twitter

My greatest challenge is/was...

Leaving my loved ones for a long period of time every year.

My lucky number is...

Actually I have four...1; 7; 11 and 15 but if pressed to choose just one, I’d probably choose the number 15!

Do you sing in the shower?

I do, but that really depends on what the proper definition of singing is because my singing sounds like cats fighting.

My favourite invention is...

I have a long list which includes in no particular order: wireless internet; anything Apple; dishwashers; Nespresso coffee machines; memory foam beds and Bose noise-cancelling headphones.

What did you want to be when you were a child/teenager?

A paediatrician.

What do you listen to while on Tour?

A variety of music except for Rap and R&B and I really like Ed Sheeran.

I like watching (horrors/comedies/dramas/thrillers)...

TV Shows with my favourites being Scandal (The Fixer); Banshee; The Black List; Game of Thrones; Revenge; Sons of Anarchy; Suits and True Blood.

What’s your kryptonite?

Spiders! Seriously, I just can’t handle the sight of them and tend to make a less-than-graceful exit when they’re around.

3 Minutes with LEE-ANNE PACE

Do you have any pre-tournament rituals?

I wouldn’t call it a ritual actually but now that I think about it, I do tend to follow a routine on matchday, which is coffee in the morning; make sure I go to the loo just before tee-off and put on sunblock.

What can’t you live without?

It is an endless list and I’m not kidding – the things I can’t do without include my iPhone; coffee; red wine; lamb chops; my memory foam pillow; wireless internet; hot baths; Bose headphones; music; laughter; my family; my friends...I could go on!

Your favourite football team?

Honestly, I really dislike football, but I do enjoy watching rugby – the Stormers and Springboks in particular.

What is your greatest fear?

Apart from spiders it would probably be worrying about someone I love getting hurt.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

It might sound a bit boring but I tend to catch up on bookings, emails and phonecalls; I try to watch my favourite TV shows; spend time with family and friends and some outdoor activities such as paddle boarding or social golf.

Who/What inspires you?

Amazing athletes such as Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Rory McIlroy as well as true stories about people who have faced difficult circumstances and overcome those. I am a huge fan of true story movies.

If you were to host a dinner party for any five people in the world (celebrities, politicians, sports stars, philanthropists, etc. living or dead), who would you choose?

My best friend, my sister, brother-in-law , who is basically brother and Ed Sheeran, for the entertainment.

Favourite course in the world?

Pearl Valley but St Andrews is right up there too!

Cats or dogs?

Dogs

What/who makes you smile?

I have so many and this is in no particular order: my friends; my family; chocolate; red wine; lamb chops; stand-up paddle boarding; the ocean; kids; my bed; the view from my bedroom; a birdie; an eagle; the smell of my cappuccino in the morning; waking up at 5am and knowing that I can sleep a bit more!

 LOVE FOR THE GAME:

Lee-Anne Pace is a household name in South Africa and renowned globally as one of the leading faces in women’s golf. With just under a decade under her belt as a professional golfer, Pace is as much in love with the sport as the day she first started playing. Ironically, Lee-Anne’s introduction to the sport was as a caddy for her father and not as a golfer.

“I used to caddy for him to earn extra money during weekends but I suppose you could say me actually playing golf was by default. While at the course I would hit some balls with the boys at the venue and we would also have putting competitions.”

During her high school years, Lee-Anne played tennis but excelled at hockey, a sport she loved playing but one she couldn’t envisage a professional future in.

“I really loved playing hockey and was very passionate about it but I didn’t think it was the sport for me to have a career in.”

A few years later during her final year of studying Psychology at Tulsa University, Oklahoma (USA), she decided to give golf a go.

“Prior to that moment, I hadn’t really thought about becoming a professional golfer. Then I decided to give it a try, I qualified for the Tour and that was that. I became very passionate about my golf career and as soon as I won my first tournament, I knew that I really wanted to do it again, to experience that feeling of triumph and exhilaration again and again. Golf is a challenging sport and you have to learn early on how to control your emotions, deal with and make those big decisions in a short amount of time, but nothing beats the feeling you experience when you win.”

With a bright glow in her eyes, Lee-Anne speaks passionately about her love for golf.

“I love the challenges of golf, the excitement of winning, the pleasure you get from hitting a shot that sometimes seems impossible to pull off or hitting a shot at a crucial time that exceeds even your own expectations. And, I absolutely love winning.”

Inspired by South African golfing legends Gary Player, Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, she says the sport itself serves as a great inspiration that constantly tests a professional golfer.

“There are so many aspects to work on personally if you are to succeed in the professional circuit – you have to be strong physically, mentally and emotionally and that in itself is a constant challenge. It’s an amazing feeling when you exceed your own expectations, when you achieve your goals and targets and golf is one of those sports that gives you the opportunity to constantly experience those joys.”

Lee-Anne cherishes every single moment of her life as a professional golfer but admits it was a tricky road to negotiate.

“I am grateful and truly blessed to be a professional golfer – I have made many friends over the years and met very interesting people during my travels and I have been to some of the most amazing places on earth. But, early on in my career it was daunting to travel alone to foreign countries, not knowing the language or the areas I was travelling to and also trying to find my place on Tour. That changed when I bagged a few wins because I gained much needed confidence and was able to settle in.”

Now living at the Pearl Valley Golf and Country Estate, Pace shared her recipe for success on Tour.

“I was motivated to work harder and win after I started winning. I worked very hard on my swing, watched the top golfers and tried to replicate what they were doing and I worked on my mental strategy. I tell myself before every tournament that I am going to play each shot to the best of my ability and that puts me in a good frame of mind from the first to the last hole.”

Successful, talented, famous and yet Lee-Anne Pace has managed to stay grounded and is in fact a very humble woman, who sincerely wishes to show young aspiring golfers that they can achieve their dreams and goals through hard work and dedication.

“I don’t see myself as a role model because I’m just me, doing what I love. I still get shy when asked for autographs but it makes me very happy to know that I might have played a part in helping to grow women’s golf in South Africa. I believe that with the start of the Ladies Sunshine Tour and co-sanctioned events such as the Cell C SA Women’s Open, we will see many more girls taking up the sport. I can’t wait to see the next group of South African golfers coming through the ranks.”

Love, passion, dedication and hard work are vital components to becoming a successful golfer, traits often tested when results are not going your way.

“The one important thing I’ve learnt during the course of my career is that it can all turn around at any point. When the chips are down, I recall a tournament in China when I was a few over par on the cut line with five holes left to play in the day. I went on to finish the day really well and left the venue having won the tournament in a playoff. In golf, as in life, anything can happen, you just have to be mentally strong and know what you want out of that particular situation.”

Lee-Anne Pace is among the favourites for this year’s Cell C SA Women’s Open at the San Lameer Country Club, a tournament she is yet to win. The annual tournament, with a prize fund of €320 000, takes place from 16 to 19 October in KZN’s South Coast. Among the list of confirmed entrants are defending champion Marianne Skarpnord, South Africans Ashleigh Simon, Stacy Lee Bregman and Paula Reto and American Cheyenne Woods, niece of Tiger Woods.

San Lameer Country Club:

Have you played at the San Lameer Country Club before? 

Just once a very long time ago, but I really can’t remember the course very well.

What do you feel will be the most challenging part of competing at the San Lameer Country Club?

For me it will be jetlag and the weather. I will be travelling back from Asia and the jetlag can be quite severe. I have played golf in KZN and I really love playing at the coast and in windy conditions, which I suspect is what we can expect in the South Coast.

What do you like most about this venue?

We always get treated very well at the SA Open and the holiday atmosphere is most inviting. It’s really nice to be able to compete in South Africa.

What are your expectations/targets for the Cell C SA Women's Open?

I would love to win the tournament – it’s one of my goals and if I can achieve that, it would be an awesome personal achievement. 

Q&A by Renelle Naidoo

Chatting to Pro Golfer Stacy Bregman ahead of Cell C SA Women's Open

Pic by Rogan Ward

10 Things you didn’t know about STACY LEE BREGMAN

How many pairs of shoes do you own?

Let’s just say, I’m a lady who absolutely loves her shoes.

Ever been to a surprise party that was actually a surprise?

No, I haven’t!

I love to eat...

Ice cream

Worst present I ever received was...

Couldn’t have been that bad, because I can’t remember!

I like my eggs...

Sunny-side up!

My dream supercar is...

Maserati

What do you love most about travelling?

Getting to sample different types of food, the styles of cooking and meeting people.

What makes you laugh the most?

Stupid little things.

Do you carry photos of loved ones while on Tour?

Yes, on my phone!

 My favourite clothing item is...

Too many to mention.

Pic from www/ladieseuropeantour.com

90 Seconds with STACY LEE BREGMAN

Any bad injuries?

I tore my rotator cuff in my left shoulder and also broke my arm when I was younger.

Most unforgettable moment on tour?

Spending time in Prague with my best friend, Frances Bondad and also a dance video a few of us players made to a song.

What is your favourite movie/TV series/programme?

Shawshank Redemption and Breaking Bad.

What is your favourite {fashion} accessory?

My jeans.

If you could learn a new/foreign language, which would you choose?

Spanish

What would the title of your autobiography be?

“Learning to be yourself”

Road trip or air-travel?

Road trip

Your favourite South African city?

Cape Town

If you hadn’t become a professional golfer, what career/profession would you have pursued?

Either accounting or physiotherapy.

Pic from www.sunshineladiestour.com

“CHASING YOUR DREAM”:

Stacy Lee Bregman’s pursuit of golf at the end of 15 must have come as a complete shock to her friends and family, who presumably believed she would be more inclined to continue her impressive run in karate and athletics. The 1.6m tall, blue-eyed brunette had achieved her South African colours no less than seven times in karate, clinched her provincial colours for athletics and has a 2004 Sportswoman of the year award from King David Linksfield School.

“I didn’t start playing golf until my late teens but I was always involved in sport at various levels, so it must have been natural progression till I found what I was looking for.”

Now living her dream competing as a professional golfer on the Ladies European Tour (LET), Bregman says the path to success and to realising your dream is often a difficult and challenging one.

“It’s not an easy ride with everything handed to you on a plate – you have to constantly work hard and have to experience various obstacles and hurdles along the way to make you a better person both on and off the greens.”

Fortunately this charming and talented young lady had the full support and encouragement of her family and coach.

“Luckily I’m surrounded by people who believe in me and my talent which made it easier for me to chase my dream of becoming a pro. My coach Neville Sundelson has been an amazing influence in my life, a strong and positive mentor who constantly motivates me to be and to do my best.”

” Humble and motivated, Bregman believes her natural determination and adaptability have made the transition from amateur to professional a relatively easy one.

“When you’re determined to make your dream a reality, to live your dream, you will work as hard as you possibly need to and that describes me and my approach to life in general to a T. My best advice to young ladies wanting to compete on the pro circuit is that they must be prepared for and want to do all the travelling required because if you can’t manage with that aspect of your career, it will have a negative impact on your emotional strength and ultimately on your game.”

Stacy’s favourite moment as an amateur was when she won the world amateur championships, an achievement she cherishes to this day.

”There’s no better feeling than being rewarded with a win. It’s a sweet and precious moment that stays with you forever and has the power to lift you at times when you’re going through a slump in form.”

Her positive attitude and determination to succeed have paid off on the LET.

Last year Bregman competed in 17 tournaments, posted three top-10 finishes, tied for secnd at the South African Women’s Open, tied for 6^th at the Aberdeen Asset Management Ladies Scottish Open, tied for ninth at the China Suzhou Taihu Open and she finished the season ranked 51^st on the ISPS Handa Order of Merit.

Her advice to budding youngsters wanting to chase their dreams? “Go big and by that I mean, the sky is not even the limit – you can achieve whatever you want if you put in the hard work and make the sacrifices.”

Bregman, who celebrates her 28^th birthday on 7 October, is not all work and no play. “I’ve learnt how to balance my life and how to switch gears when not on the course. I love listening to music, watching sport on telly and reading mostly sports biographies.”

The Johannesburg professional is looking forward to competing at the Cell C SA Women’s Open from 16 to 19 October at the San Lameer Country Club. “I’ve had a good 2014 thus far, having broken into the top 15 on the LET money list and would love nothing more than to win on home soil. This is probably my best season as a professional golfer, I’ve grown and matured and am so much stronger mentally, so I’m really looking forward to competing in KZN. The SA Women’s Open is a fantastic event, one which all South African pros are proud to compete in.”

Pic by Rogan Ward

San Lameer Country Club:

Have you played at the San Lameer Country Club before? 

I have but it was a very long time ago.

What do you feel will be the most challenging part of competing at the San Lameer Country Club?

I think the weather will be a big challenge particularly the wind.

What do you like most about this venue?

The coastal line is absolutely magnificent.

What are your expectations/targets for the Cell C SA Women's Open?

I would love to win my home event but I’d also happily take a top five finish.

Q&A by Renelle Naidoo