Gabriela Quintana and her daughter, Penny, are new members of the LGA. They are also new to golf which is why I’m so excited to introduce you to her. Gabriela is passionate about golf and she is enthusiastic to share this amazing sport with not only her daughter but all women. She inspired me and I know she will inspire you too.
“I’m 40 years old and extremely new to golf. For the past 5 months, I have been honing my swing at the driving range, dedicating myself to improve, even if just a little, day by day. I have even begun taking my 13-year-old daughter Penny with me and she absolutely loves it. It has gotten to the point where she is thinking about transferring high schools next year so that she may join a golf team!
When Penny and I go to the range, we are usually the only ladies there, and it bugs me. I do see women there, but they are rarely on the course. They are either watching the men from afar or waiting for them inside the restaurant. I am so tempted to grab them and ask if they would like to hit a ball with me, but I understand there’s only so much I can do to teach someone as I’m still learning myself. When I do see other women playing, I give them a little head nod and share a moment of camaraderie, understanding that we are standing tall and proud in exercising our abilities in a largely male sport.
The men have no fault in any of this, it just so happens that this sport is just not as appealing to women as other sports. My experiences have shown that men have been nothing but supportive and encouraging, always offering advice and pointers as I still work on refining my game. It had gotten to a point where I needed to get lessons so that I could consolidate all the advice that was given to me into a respectable swing.
Needless to say, I want to thank you for writing that article. (They Call Me The Diva Golfer SCGA) I hope that in the near future, golf becomes a sport that is offered to all high schools. I hope that women’s clothing is offered at the golf shops just the same as male golf equipment. I hope the next time I attend a golf clinic, they can advise me if I should keep my arms below or above my chest. We have to keep encouraging women to play to share the same joys we do with the sport so that it becomes a sport that EVERYONE enjoys.”