 |
| Nancy Lopez & Stefanie Kenoyer |
Had a chance to catch up with pro Golfer and Golf4Her Ambassador Stephanie Kenoyer over the holiday weekend!
Here's what Stephanie had to say:
1. Who inspired you to start playing golf? Or was it just always of interest to you?
Actually my paternal grandmother was a great golfer and won several amateur championships back when women weren’t playing all that much golf! Unfortunately she died before I was born but I believe I had it in my blood and I didn’t even know it! I didn’t start playing until I was 13 though because I was interested in several other sports before golf. However I am so glad I settled on golf!
2. What is your go-to or favorite snack to always keep in your golf bag?
Almonds and a PB&J Sandwich
3. What was the best advice you were ever given? (success in golf or just everyday life)
The best advice I have ever received was to never ever give up and to always forgive yourself. I am very hard on myself and whenever I go through a tough patch or a time when I am not playing well I have a tendency to beat myself up a bit. This year is the first year I have looked at golf as more of a journey that might take a little while to get to where I want to be and that’s okay. Instead of putting so much pressure on myself to achieve all of my goals right this minute, I am giving myself the room to really enjoy what I do every day and work hard to become better a little bit each day. Now that I took some of the pressure off, I am playing so much better!
4. What has been your biggest accomplishment so far?
Probably qualifying to play in the US Open in 2009, it was the tournament that inspired me to want to play professionally.
5. Are you involved in any charities? If so, why that specific one?
Well this year I worked with a sponsor, Iain Thomson, to run a Pro-Am golf day for his clients and together we raised over ten thousand dollars for the Canadian DiabetesAssociation! This was a special cause for me because my grandfather (who is 95 years old!) has diabetes and has been living with it for much of his life.
6. What kind of work outs do you do to prepare for a day on the golf course?
I do a combination of things, some weights mixed with stretching and cardio… All golf specific moves to strengthen the areas of my body that allow me to make the best golf swing possible. I also love to do hot yoga, it helps me relax and work on focus and strength all at the same time!
7. What does a typical day look like for you?
Well, I have been doing a “boot camp” when I have been home in Birmingham, which entails starting with a workout at the course at 7am and then spending the rest of the day until about 6pm working on areas of my game that need work and playing… All to get ready for the Q-School process which starts in about a month! I am feeling great about how far my game has come in the last few months so it keeps me encouraged to continue working hard.
8. What is the last book you read?
Becoming Myself by Stasi Eldridge
9. Is there a particular song that you like to listen to when you warm up?
I usually just listen to Pandora while I stretch and get ready for the day, nothing specific just something to relax my mind and help me feel ready for whatever I need to accomplish that day!
10. How did you get into sailing?
Well my parents have a sail boat and we used to take it over to the Bahamas every summer and live on it for a few months… My first trip over there I was 9 months old! I have always loved the water and grew up feeling connected to the ocean as it was such a big part of my childhood. Also, those trips were the most amazing time for my family, as the 5 of us spend so much quality time together. I truly believe that is why our family is so close, all thanks to our sailboat “Sheer Bliss"
11. Do you have a celebrity crush?
No, not really… Right now the only person on my mind is my soon to be husband Trey!!
12. What’s your favorite app on your phone?
Hmm… That changes all the time but for now I’d have to say Pinterest… I am planning my wedding while traveling this season so I love all the ideas on there!
13. Are you a Starbucks or Dunkin person?
I prefer Dunkin, but I have been up in Canada a bit this summer and I think my new favorite is Tim Horton’s!
14. What is your favorite thing to do after a long day of playing golf?
Unwind with my family, even if I am tired I never mind chasing my nieces and nephews around!
15. What is your guilty pleasure?
I am a sucker for sweets. I try to refrain from even buying them because if they are in front of me I don’t really have much power against them! Especially anything chocolate...
16. How has being on Big Break changed your life?
Wow, where can I even begin. BigBreak led me to make some lifelong friends (including other Golf4Her ladies Mallory Blackwelder and Sara Brown). It gave me the exposure I needed to even continue playing golf professionally, it helped me feel confident in any situation I need to take on… Oh, and it brought me to the person I am going to spend the rest of my life with! (My fiancé is the son of my Big Break NFL Partner Al DelGreco, and yes, Al was the matchmaker!)
17. Do you have a strange superstition that you swear by?
I’m not really a superstitious person, although when I am playing well during a round I will avoid changing golf balls… I guess that is slightly superstitious.. I try to live by the motto that God has a wonderful plan for me and for my life and he has me on the course to achieve many things through Him so no matter what I eat for breakfast or what socks I wear (trying to think of some crazy superstitions), it will all work out in the end.
18. What is the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you on the course?
It’s funny, I always think back to times that seemed so embarrassing and then once they are over they never seem to be as bad as you think they are… I can remember one time in college when I tried to hit a shot from up against a tree (one I really had no business trying to play) and I completely missed the ball. I couldn’t really believe it happened and I just smiled and started laughing! My playing competitors must have thought I was crazy!
by Gabrielle
Golf4Her, Fashion Sqaud
