Bedfordview golfer off to Rio

Representing South Africa at the Rio Olympic Games is a dream come true for Bedfordview resident and known South African golfer, Ashleigh Simon (27).

She leaves for Rio on August 14.

An excited Simon, who is a former pupil of Holy Rosary School, met with the NEWS before her departure and expressed her hopes of bringing a medal home.

“Rio is going to be something different. Golf is an individual sport and the SA team will have to work together – go big or go home,” said Simon.

Simon knows her strengths on the golf course.

“I have a strong drive and I am accurate off the tee. It is important for golfers on the SA team to have a good short game,” she said.

She considers Ariya Jutanugarn, a golfer from Thailand who recently won the Women’s British Open, as one of the strong competitors heading to Rio.

“Jutanugarn plays very well. I know Rio is going to be an awesome experience,” said Simon.

Simon, a honorary life member of the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club, has been playing golf for the past 21 years.

She first started playing golf when she was six years old.

“I was a very sporty and active child,” said Simon. Her dad played a large role in her interest in golf and since holding a golf club for the first time, the sport simply appealed to her and it felt natural.

Simon has been playing full time in the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA ) in the United States of America for the past two years and she also played on the European circuits.

Her selection for the Rio Games is not the first time she has represented South Africa.

She previously represented SA in New Zealand as an amateur golfer.

“I never thought I would represent my country again. It is really great. I am starting to get more excited as the Games get closer,” said Simon.

Apart from Rio, Simon has a busy schedule for the remainder of the year. After the Olympic Games, she will head for Canada to compete in the LPGA.

This will be followed by a trip to Europe to compete in the Ladies European Tour LET.

When in SA, Simon enjoys playing at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club and Glendower Golf Club.

She favours the design of the Glendower golf course as it has small greens, a treeline and players have to be accurate on the course.

Simon said that when she is not on the course and has some time off, she enjoys catching up with friends and family.

“I like spending my time at home and having braais. I love eating South African food whenever I have the chance,” said Simon.

During her final tournament for 2015 in Dubai, Simon’s boyfriend of nine years and caddy, David Buhai, proposed to her on the 18th green.

“Even though we had been together for so long, I really was not expecting it,” said Simon.

Her advice to young, aspiring golfers is to get in touch with a good PGA professional in order to grow.

“As a young golfer, I was inspired by Ernie Els and I recall that my parents never pushed me to do the sport. That is why I enjoy it so much today,” said Simon.