Birchman and Lee-Anne set the Pace! 

Birchman sponsors South African golfer
Lee-Anne Pace on the Ladies European Tour.
It has turned out to be an outstanding year
for Lee-Anne winning 5 tournaments
so far! Lee -Anne is currently the number 1
ranked player on the European Order of Merit.

The tournaments Lee-Anne has won so far
this year:

• Won Deutsche Bank Swiss Ladies Open
• Won S4C Wales Ladies Open
• Won FinnairMasters
• Won Sanya China Ladies Open
• Won Suzhou Taihu Ladies Open

We asked Lee-Anne some questions about her golf career and her as a person:

How did you end up in a career in golf?
Well, I caddied for my dad from a young age, he paid me pocket money for this (way less than the actual caddies!!)  At school I loved and played hockey. At the age of 17 my dad sat me down and told me he thinks that I should start playing golf and consider it as a career. It was a hard decision for me, but clearly it has turned out to be a good decision in hindsight. I love what I do and feel very fortunate to be doing what I love every day.

How did your first win feel?
I was in a state of shock to be honest. I couldn’t stop smiling and in fact my cheeks hurt from grinning all the time. It made me very determined to win again as I love the winning feeling.

Did you always wanted to play golf as a career?
When I was younger, I was also very keen to be a doctor or surgeon. The fact that a doctor/surgeon could affect someone’s life so dramatically in a positive way through his or her knowledge and skills is very powerful for me.

Some golfers are very superstitious, are you?
No, not really, but I decided to start wearing a white outfit every final round I play and after that I have won a lot of tournaments. I don’t plan to change this habit at all, so you could probably call me a bit superstitious.

What is your greatest fear?
That people I love might get hurt. Physically it is spiders.

What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?
I indulge too quickly which leads to boredom easily.

What is the trait you most deplore in others?
Judgment of others, especially when it is unreserved.

What do you consider the most overrated virtue?
Patience (says this smiling)

What or who is the greatest love of your life?
I have 3 loves... The ocean, red wine and chocolate.

When and where were you happiest?
I have a lot of most happy moments stored away. The day my sister was born for one. The first time I fell in love, the second time I fell in love... every time I get to body surf in the ocean etc...

Which talent would you most like to have?
I would have loved to be able to be a great guitar player with a good voice...Ok so that is two but they go together so they count as one.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
The fact that I am impatient.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Graduating from university after I wanted to quit.

If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
Myself, who wouldn't want a second chance at life?

What is your most treasured possession?
My brain.

What is your most marked characteristic?
My smile.

What is it that you most dislike?
Spiders, cooked carrots, raw onion, cheap wine and hangovers.

What is your motto?
For life: it is what it is.
For golf: The tournament is a lion fight. So: chin up, pull your shoulders back, walk proud, stride a little. Don't lick your wounds, celebrate them. The scars you bear are the signs of a competitor. You're in a lion fight. Just because you didn't win doesn't mean you don't know how to roar.