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 Amateur Golfer Tiffany Avern-Taplin

Suttill Art Photography

Cell C SA Women’s Open

Tiffany Avern-Taplin

South Coaster, Tiffany Avern-Taplin is rolling up her sleeves in preparation of taking on the crème-de-la-crème in this week’s Cell C SA Women’s Open.

The enthusiastic journalist at Mid-South Coast Mail, knows how to wield a golf club – well, states, “This is my second tournament in a row, I missed the tournament three years ago because I wasn’t playing my best golf!”

“A lot of effort goes into the SA Women’s tournament, last year the weather didn’t play ball with a lot of the tournament rained out. I have to admit I am looking forward to taking on the big names that play on the Ladies European Tour.”

When not putting pen to paper as a journalist, the young Southbroom resident says she loves Kareoke and spending time on the beach. She had classical voice training for nine years, “I love to sing and do so at every opportunity.”

“I remember when I was studying in the States; I was based in Ohio and travelled to North Carolina to participate in a golf tournament. Back home in the Mid-West, it was cold and when we arrived in North Carolina, the weather was warm and welcoming. I didn’t have a swimming costume but that didn’t stop me, my first opportunity I got, I ran into the ocean in my gym clothes. The experience was invigorating.”

Asked what she had learnt from her experience studying abroad, she affirms, “Everyone always talks about the Yanks as arrogant and loud, I disagree. My experience was the opposite; they are so passionate and positive in everything they do. They have such a fantastic mind set and are so supportive. Looking back, I would say that is one of the best lessons I walked away with.”

“And I got to see snow, real snow. Not just small dancing snowflakes tumbling down, proper white landscapes. That for me was a great experience and fond memory of my time over there.”

She refers to herself as a bit of nomad, “I have had the honour of moving around a fair amount and experiencing a few types of lifestyles, growing up in Ballito, studying in America. I have also lived in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Scottburgh and I now reside in Southbroom ten minutes away from the venue, San Lameer Country Club.”

“I have to say that I love the feel of being out of the rat race, the small town community vibes are fantastic and the chilled way of life, all of these aspects are appealing to me.”

On her return from America, Avern-Taplin confides, “It took me a while to get back into the swing of golf. I now play regularly in Durban at the Mount Edgecombe Country Club, the ladies league is quite competitive and I enjoy it.”

“I am in the process of taking my golf more seriously, take it up to the next level. Going head-to-head with the likes of Ashleigh Simon and Lee-Anne Pace will be fabulous for my game.”

“San Lameer is a target course, if you miss your drive or target you will have a difficutl time getting around. There is a lot of water and the wind can be testing, but I have been lucky that I live around the corner, so it is very much home ground for me!”

Next month, the ardent scribe looks forward to celebrating two years working with the Mid-Coast Mail, “No day is ever the same being a journalist, I pure love it. I try and follow the simple rules of Live Life.”

For more info visit www.sawomensopen.co.za

Chatting to Golfer Nicola Eaton Gutzeit ahead of the Cell C SA Women's Open

Twins and tee-offs

Nicola Eaton Gutzeit recently laid down her clubs and stepped off the tee to tie the knot at a magical Ballito wedding in May of this year. The wedding bells soon melded into beach shells as she was whisked off on a romantic honeymoon in Zanzibar. But now with the Cell C SA Women’s Open looming, it’s time to change the garters for golf clubs and get back into the swing of things.

Big competitions are always an emotional rollercoaster and Nicola admits to getting both wildly nervous and terribly excited when a competition is coming up. “We don’t have a lot of tournaments here so when they come around you want to make sure you take your chances”. And Nicola is pulling out all the stops with her training regime. Being a Port Shepstone local, she’s fortunate to live close by to San Lameer, the course where the SA Open will be taking place from 16-19 October. She’s utilised the beneficial location of her abode to train on the course and get to know the conditions. Nicola cautions that the strong coastal winds are always a factor when playing down south, “Depending on what the wind’s doing the course can play very differently”. So I’m sure everyone will be keeping an eye out not only for the tail end of the whale watching season but also for what the weather reports predict.

I gentleman never asks a lady her handicap so I ask instead what she thinks about the SA Open. The SA Open is a firm favourite she says, “It’s on our local territory and we have lots of support!” This will be Nicola’s third SA Open as a professional at the tender age of 29. Not only is it a high profile tournament on the women’s circuit but she also enjoys the way the players are looked after, “Because it’s co-sanctioned with the Ladies European Tour it’s a really big deal and you really do get treated like you’re VIP”.

“We definitely have golfing genes in our family”, says Nicola. Both her mom and dad played golf at a high level and her mom was still playing professionally when Nicola and her twin sister Melissa were born. After both being selected for the Ernie Els Foundation, which was immensely beneficial for both their golf game and education, it so happened that one university was looking to award two girls with full scholarships and so Nicola and Melissa both went to Louisiana State University in 2003.

“The ambition to become pro was always there but it wasn’t in the forefront of my mind, it was first going to university”, says Nicola, but soon her skills grew to challenge the best and she found herself playing on then Futures Tour, now called the Symetra Tour, which is second only to the LPGA. She played for about two years before the lack of sponsorship forced her to return to SA in 2010.

Nicola coaches at the Hillbillion driving range, close to Shelly Beach as well as at her home course, the Port Shepstone Country Club. She invests most of her time in teaching but still plays the local circuit such as the SA Open and the Sunshine Ladies Tour. Nicola is an outdoor enthusiast and adventure-nut. She endeavours to remain open to anything and says, “Live life to the fullest, experience everything you can that comes into your life.” She’s also hard at work setting up a golf development programme for kids. She says, “To give back to the game through the kids will be very rewarding and I hope to watch them grow and see them do well”.

Having gotten to know each other more, I now feel confident to ask Nikki a possibly contentious question about the sibling rivalry that must exist between golf pro twins! Nikki just laughs and says that they are both a great source of competition and support for one another and they can’t wait to “both be coming down the 18^th in the final group and battling it out for that trophy!”

We wish Nicola and Melissa luck with the upcoming competition and one day achieving her ultimate dream of playing the British and US Open. Goodluck girls!

 Words by Adam Dore and images by Justin Klusener

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 Pro Golfer Nicole Garcia ahead of the Cell C SA Women's Open

Towards the latter part of last year, Nicole Garcia went to Tour school armed with the dream of becoming a professional golfer and she left the venue with a 9b category under her belt. The rookie golfer from the East Rand in Gauteng is now one of 11 members and one of two rookies from South Africa this season, who shows maturity well beyond her years. Grounded, passionate, determined and loving the life she lives, Garcia has had a challenging 2014 but is hoping to turn around her fortunes at the Cell C SA Women’s Open set to take place at the San Lameer Country Club from 16 to 19 October. “I can’t wait to play at home, especially because my parents will get to see me playing some good golf. I’m cautious against saying I’m expecting to win the tournament but I definitely know that I have the potential to do so.” Inspired by Justin Rose whom she believes epitomises the “never give up attitude”, Garcia took time out from her hectic schedule to share some of her experiences and her thoughts on the influence role models have on our lives...

Q: While growing up, who was your role model (non-golfer)?

A: I was obsessed with cartoons when I was growing up and all I ever thought about doing was working at Walt Disney Productions so I guess you could say my role model was Walt Disney himself.

Q: What are the qualities/traits/criteria your role model must have that are important to you?

A: For me, a role model must show absolute dedication to their sport or career; they must remember where they came from, as in be modest or humble irrespective of how successful they become. That’s really important to me because I’d like to know that I’d be able to connect to them on a normal level if I ever had the opportunity to meet him or her.

Q: Whose story inspires you to persevere when the chips are down?

A: I was told that Justin Rose had missed 19 cuts in a row so every time I miss a cut or don’t perform as well as I’d like to, I just remind myself of how successful Justin is today and it keeps me going. But, I honestly don’t know if that story is true or not.

Q: Your favourite female golfers, local or international, are...

A: I’ve had the opportunity to get to know the ladies really well both on and off the course and I have to admit that my favourites are not necessarily those who perform the best but are actually the ones with the best attitude on the course, who genuinely love what they are doing. But, if I had to pick one female who has really impressed me it would be Michelle Wie. I watched her play while I was competing at the US Women’s Open and I absolutely love the way she hits a ball.

Q: Your favourite male golfers, local or international are...

A: Trevor Fisher Junior who competes on the Sunshine Tour – he is an amazing person on and off the course and has so much talent.

Q: You had the opportunity to meet, play with and learn from Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel...tell us about that experience and the impact it had on your game?

A: That was such an unforgettable experience! Ernie Els was also there and I asked each of them so many questions and I learnt so much while I followed them for all their practice rounds in the US Open at Pinehurst. They taught me so much in terms of strategizing mentally and about routine on the course, which has changed the way I approach my game. I don’t think I could have picked a better three-ball to learn from.

Q: Were they what you expected in terms of friendliness, helpful, willing to teach, approachable, etc.?

A: They were very friendly which was so refreshing. In fact when I arrived I didn’t want to stand too close just in case they felt I was imposing on their space but Ernie Els greeted me straight away which caught me completely off guard – when he waved in my direction, I looked behind me thinking he had seen someone he knew but lo and behold, he was waving at me! And, Louis gave us the ‘inside the ropes’ bands, which was really nice of him.

Q: A role model is any person who serves as an example and whose behaviour is often emulated by others. How devastating do you think it is for fans/young aspiring sports stars when their role models fall from grace (Eg. Tiger Woods; Lance Armstrong; Pistorius, etc.)?

A: The ‘relationship’ between an athlete or a sportsperson and fans has been a very personal one, even though the fans never actually get to meet their role models. There is an expectation and a certain standard that athletes and sports stars are expected to adhere to which is why it is extremely disappointing for their fans when these people go against the norm or expected standard of behaviour.

Q: Do you think professional athletes should be made role models and held to a higher standard or should they be regarded as ordinary people?

A: I honestly believe that the achievements of a professional athlete should be admired and never forgotten but that does not necessarily mean that that athlete is a better person because of his or her achievements. Putting them up on a pedestal based on achievements alone can lead to disappointment as we have seen over the years.

Q: Fast-forward your life and career a decade from now after you’ve clinched tournament victories and have been a regular competitor on the LET, how would you, Nicole Garcia, like to be viewed by young, aspiring female golfers?

A: I’d love to be seen as someone who has never given up, someone who gave it her all and put her heart into each and every tournament. I would like to inspire young golfers the way Justin Rose inspires me to keep going and to never give up.

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