Professional golfer never gives up
“I had surgery in 2019. My first event back is a moment I will never forget,” she said.
Rynfield resident and professional golfer Nicole Garcia (30) started playing golf at the age of 16 after realising her love for the sport when her mum took her for a lesson with Kerry van Welsen at the Benoni Lake Club.
“Golf is my job and it’s what I love, and travelling the world for my livelihood isn’t such a bad way to live,” she said.
“I enjoy it because it’s only you against the golf course. Even though this life can be hard, it also teaches you how to be strong.
“It’s only you out there, no one else can influence how you play.”
Matriculating in 2008 from St Dominic’s Catholic School for Girls in Boksburg, this professional had already been experiencing her love of golf and continued rising, reaching pro status in 2014, with many memorable moments along the way.
“I will never forget when I won the First Stage Q School in Morocco. I had lost my playing status in my rookie year and needed to re-qualify to get back onto the tour and then won the first stage by 13 shots and came second in the final stage,” she said.
Garcia also fondly remembers her first US Open.
“Ernie Els played in the Men’s US Open the week before on the same course, so I went to go watch them. He knew I was playing the following week and gave me a few tips on how to play on that course. I’ll always remember that experience.”
With three Sunshine Ladies Tour wins to her name, three driven sponsors and a never-give-up attitude, Garcia has proven that even when the road gets tough, one should never give up.
“I had surgery in 2019. My first event back is a moment I will never forget,” she began.
“I missed the cut by one but I still felt happier than I had been in a long time and I knew that even after losing the drive to play the game for a while, I had found the love for the game all over again.”
People believe golf to be a man’s sport. When asking Nicole this question, she said, “Of course not, but every day is a challenge to get others to believe it’s an equal sport. We just played a mixed event in Sweden hosted by Annika Sorenstam and Hendrik Stenson, which showcased the women competing against the men and it was honestly the best experience I’ve ever had on a course.
“It made me feel respected as a female athlete and thought of as an equal. I just loved it.”
Garcia is sponsored by Investec, Puma and Srixon.
“Golf is incredibly expensive to play as a profession and Investec helps take the financial pressure off so I can focus on other goals.
“Srixon supplies me with any equipment I may need during the year and Puma is my clothing sponsor.
“I’m very lucky to have such a great team behind me.”
Garcia wanted to thank her family, friends and fiancé for all the love and support they have given her over the years.
“To my parents, for supporting me through every amateur and professional event, my sister for being my best friend and biggest fan, and my fiancé, Grant Veenstra, for being my coach and helping me through my professional career from the beginning,” she concluded.
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