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!"

Golfers in the swing of things

Golfers Go Wild in South Africa

Ladies European Tour golfers Chloe Leurquin and Patricia Sanz Barrio experienced the ultimate rush when they launched themselves off the edge of Oribi Gorge ahead of the Cell C South African Women’s Open.

Both of the Ladies European Tour rookie golfers did the world’s highest gorge swing to claim their bragging rights on the eve of this week’s international golf tournament at San Lameer Country Club on the Hibiscus Coast of KwaZulu-Natal, south of Durban.

Leurquin, 24, from Waterloo Golf Club in Waterloo, Belgium, was fearless as she jumped from the edge of a cliff into a free fall from 165 metres before swinging through the breath taking scenery in the bottom of the gorge. She was followed by Sanz, 24, from RACE Golf Club in Madrid, Spain, who bravely overcame her last-minute apprehension. 

Years of sports psychology could not prepare the golfers for the ‘Wild 5 Adventure.’ Sanz said: “It was amazing. I cried a little bit, a little bit of excitement, but I would do it again. It was a great mental battle. In golf, you get nerves, but not real fear. You might miss a putt, but you’re not going to die or anything.”

Leurquin said: “I’m not very scared of heights and stuff, so I just did it, and the rope is just so heavy it’s pulling you down and when he says ‘1, 2, 3’, you just have to go. It was cool and I wish I could do it again! Doing this and golf… you just cannot compare it.”

After their adrenaline rush, the players enjoyed a sight-seeing visit and lunch at Leopard Rock, a stunning venue with an outside deck enjoying panoramic views over Oribi Gorge and just one and a half hours drive south of Durban.

Leurquin and Sanz are now both targeting their first wins on the Ladies European Tour in the €320,000, or R4.5 million, Cell C South African Women’s Open, which gets under way over four rounds of stroke play from Thursday to Sunday.

Leurquin, a graduate in Business and Mechanical Engineering, earned her first victory as a professional at the Mineks Ladies Classic in Turkey on the Ladies European Tour Access Series (LETAS) last year before finishing fourth on the order of merit to graduate to the main Ladies European Tour, where she has posted a best finish of tied 28^th at the Lacoste Ladies Open de France this season.

Sanz, a graduate in Biomedical Science, won the Grecotel Amirandes Ladies Open in Crete on LETAS last year and posted three second places, before finishing as the runner up on the order of merit. She also progressed to the Ladies European Tour this year, where she has recorded a season-best tie for 12^th at the Allianz Ladies Slovak Open presented by Respect.

Entry is free to the Cell C South African Women’s Open this week, with domestic television coverage on SABC and SuperSport.

Words and pix by Bethan Cutler

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 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 Marianne Skarpnord ahead of Cell C SA Women's Open

2014 hasn’t been a particularly good year for Norway’s Marianne Skarpnord on the LET but she’s known for her positive attitude, steely determination and desire to succeed...qualities that will hold her in good stead when she touches down in KwaZulu-Natal on Monday, 13 October to defend her SA Women’s Open crown.

“It’s a strange feeling getting ready to travel to South Africa to defend my title knowing that I haven’t played very well this year. I don’t feel like I’m under any extra pressure as the reigning champion. Obviously I want to put in a good performance but I don’t have any massive expectations.”

Added to her challenges in KZN will be the fact that Skarpnord is heading to unfamiliar territory because she has never played at the San Lameer Country Club.

“I think the course will be my big test at the Cell C SA Women’s Open because I need to quickly learn the course and get used the greens.”

She vividly remembers the 2013 South Africa Women’s Open for various reasons.

“It was certainly one of the strangest tournaments I’ve competed in. The weather was just so brutal but we were always hopeful that we would be able to play more than just one round. When we received the message that no further play was possible and that the winner would be declared based on the first round scores, I was shocked. I was happy that I won but it didn’t feel real, it took me a few hours to realise what had happened.”

The 2013 SA Women’s Open will long be remembered as one of the wettest and shortest international golf tournaments in South Africa. Skarpnord’s first round score of three under par was good enough to be declared the winner, with a seven-way tie for second consisting of South Africans Ashleigh Simon and Stacy Bregman, Minea Blomqvist (Finland), Charley Hull (England), Camilla Lennarth (Sweden), Katie Burnett (USA) and Nina Holleder (Germany).

“That wasn’t the way I wanted to win but I’m glad I did because it gives me a bit more confidence, excitement and positivity about playing in South Africa again. And, my caddy Brian Shezi will be with me again which makes it even more exciting.”

The Norwegian is very critical of her game on the LET this year. “I have played all the LET tournaments this year with the last few being in Scotland, Sweden, Spain and France where I played really well in the first two rounds but went on to have bad weekends. In the past two weeks my game has just not been good enough to compete at this level but I’m hoping that will change in South Africa next week.” However, she did have to contend with a back injury in August.

“I had some problems with my back two months ago which lasted for just under a month but I’m pleased to say that I’m injury free now.” Skarpnord’s best finish this year has been a tie for eighth in Italy.

As a junior, Marianne caught the attention of the golfing fraternity with her natural-born talent and she quickly became regarded as one of the country’s best golfers. As a teenager, she won the British Girls Championship and the Junior Solheim Cup with Europe, a tournament she is fondly remembered for having sunk a six-footer to secure the win for the European team. Two years later in 2005 she got her tour card and marked her entry to the professional circuit with a second place finish at the Skandia PGA Open followed by a 22^nd place finish at the LET-sanctioned OTP Ladies Central European Open. Her first two years on Tour weren’t without challenges for the Norwegian but she quickly turned around her fortunes in 2007 when she decided to play a full season at the Telia Tour. That year she won three tournaments, picked up one second-place and a third-place finish and won the Order of Merit to secure her 2008 LET card. In 2009, Skarpnord bagged her first win on the LET when she defeated England’s Melissa Reid by a single stroke in the Deutsche Bank Ladies Swiss Open. She went on to win the Carta Si Ladies Italian Open after beating Laura Davies in a playoff and qualified for the 2010 LPGA Tour after finishing as runner-up in the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament in Daytona.  

Looking ahead to the annual co-sanctioned Cell C SA Women’s Open with a prize-purse of €320 000, Skarpnord expects South Africa’s Lee-Anne Pace to deliver an impressive performance. “Lee-Anne is one of my favourite players and I think she will be right up there challenging for the title this year.” Among an impressive list of confirmed entrants are Ashleigh Simon, Stacy Bregman, Cheyenne Woods, Maha Haddioui, Sharmilla Nicolett and Paula Reto.

The San Lameer Country Club plays host to this year’s edition of South Africa’s oldest women’s tournament with tee-off times at 06:45am and 11:15am on the first and 10^th tees respectively on Thursday, 16 October. The field comprises a maximum of 126 players, 10 of which will be amateurs.

Entry is free and there will also be complimentary parking at San Lameer for spectators.

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.