2007 January gSTAR- Ashleigh Simon

What is your full name?

Ashleigh Simon

What is your nickname?

Most people call me either ‘Ainsley’ or ‘Smashleigh’. I was in Belgium with Tanika van As, and the people I was staying with kept on calling me Ainsley for some reason, and when we got back to South Africa, that’s what Tanika kept on calling me, and yeah, it stuck with everyone, basically.

When is your birthday?

11 May.

What is your star-sign?

Taurus

Where do you live?

Bedfordview, Johannesburg.

What do you like most about your town?

The weather, I think we’ve got the best weather in the world, hey. It’s really good to be able to practice, in terms of being able to practice, and that…

Do you have any pets? Please tell us…

I have two Maltese Poodles, Roxy and Tasha, and I got them when I was six, and I miss them when I’m away from home. Yes, definitely, I love my dogs.

What is your favourite place in South Africa?

Um, I’ll probably have to say Leopard Creek.

What does it mean to be a South African?

I’m very proud to be a South African. You know, I go away from home, I can go away for two- to three weeks some times, and when I get back home, it’s just like a comfort zone…

I’m very proud to be South African, especially when I step up to that tee, and I’ve got the South African crowd behind me, there’s no other feeling like it!

Is there a life principle that you hold dear?

Not really, I just to go out there and try enjoy what I’m doing, ‘cause when you do that, you’ve got to achieve it, on the course or off the course, either way.

When you’re travelling, how do you pass the time?

Um… Shopping! (laughs) … and, listening to music, I take my iPod everywhere I go.

What type of music do you enjoy listening to?

Mainly rock, pop-rock, that sort of thing.

Who are your favourite SA bands?

Prime Circle I’d say… and Just Jinger.

What do you like shopping for?

Oh, just the normal stuff, you know, clothes, I love shoes.., and buying music, I’m always shopping for music…

Is there any news on your upcoming website?

Yeah, we’re trying… We’ve just got a few more things reviewed. It’ll just be easier, in terms of when I’m travelling. If you want my CV, or to see which tournaments I’m playing in, you’ll be able to click on that, and see what’s happening.

How old were you when you started playing golf?

I was hitting balls at about the age of three, and then I started playing properly at the age of six. That’s when I started dragging my dad out, saying ‘Let’s go play!’ It’s been quite a while.

What or who was your inspiration to start playing golf?

I’m not sure, ‘cause at that stage there wasn’t really anyone to look up to in women’s golf. I was just always a very sporty kid, so that that age, golf was just another sport for me to play.

For some reason, I just grabbed the opportunity that came along, and I’ve been blessed with a talent, I’m very grateful for that.

What do you count among other sports that you like participate in?

At school I always played tennis and hockey, but I’ve given those up now. When I was younger, I played everything from cricket to soccer, tennis, hockey, anything with a ball… Basically ball-sports, I’m just naturally sporty.

What is the average daily sports regime for you?

Well, when I not at school, I’ll wake up in the morning and practice, and around maybe twice a week I’ll go to gym, and when I’m at school, it gets pretty hectic, ‘cause I’m catching up (school)work and that, and I’ll probably practice only twice a week.

Right now I’m on holiday, so I’ve been taking a bit of a break. I’ll start working hard about a week and a half before the (Women’s) World Cup (of Golf).

What kind of fitness is required of a golfer?

Well, you need cardiovascular (fitness), I’m not the fittest person, but you know, I’ve got something there. Flexibility I think is the main thing. I’ve worked on that, and that’s seemed to help me out over the years.

But also mentally… if you’re not mentally tough in this game, it’s going to eat you up. You can’t get down on yourself when the puts aren’t dropping. You’ve just got to keep grinding, and eventually it will come.

You always appear very centered when you’re playing, what is it like?

Yeah, I’ve always tried to be like that. I look up to that in terms of Ernie (Els) and Goose (Retief Goosen). They also don’t show much emotion. I think that really does help me out.

If you’re showing emotion to your playing partners, they can thrive off it, and it becomes a negative energy towards you, and a positive for them.

How do you approach fitness and physical health?

I try to watch what I eat, but I do have to get into the gym.

I’ve never been a fan of the gym, but I work with a guy called Garth Mills, and he’s helping me out at the moment. He specialises in golf bio-kinetics, so I’ve been getting stronger, which is what I’ve wanted to do.

I’ve just got to get the cardiovascular stuff up now.

Please describe the support that you’ve received from family and friends.

I’ve always wanted to make a career out of golf, it’s been my dream. Hopefully in the next two years I’ll turn pro, and be able play in America. My family has always been very supportive of me.

My dad was the one to get me into the game, he’s been with me every step of the way. He’s seen how hard it can be, and he’s been there through the ups and downs. I’ve had a brilliant support system, they’ve always been willing to give me the opportunities.

Who are your sponsors? Do you have an agent?

As an amateur, we’re not allowed to be sponsored in money. My dad always handles my stuff, you know, he arranges my flights and tournaments.

What does it mean to play amateur golf? How is it different from professional golf?

It’s definitely going to happen. A lot of people in South Africa haven’t had opportunities like me to travel.

I’ve been very lucky that I’ve been able to travel internationally, and to play professional tournaments as an amateur. That’s definitely going to help me, so that it won’t be such a big adjustment when I take that step into the pro ranks.

It’s very difficult once you take that step, ‘cause it’s a job now basically, that’s what you’ve got to do for money. It’s a lot of pressure, but if you love the game, I mean, a lot of people don’t get the chance to do what they love.

Do you think you’ll be able to make a living from golf?

I think so. I’ve already won in America, which was a huge boost for me, and I think that will give me help when I go over there, hopefully.

There are a lot of things in my life which have just somehow, people have said it would never happen, but it did. So, right now, everything’s gone according to plan, so hopefully, the rest will also.

What was your first significant win as a golfer? What made it so special?

I think my first South African amateur double win was an outstanding moment for me, because I wanted it so much, and I then became the youngest person ever, but to win (the Rolex Tournament of Champions) in America.

I never thought I would do it before turning pro, and I did it this year, so, that was a huge thing for me.

We played in Colorado, the way it basically works is, in America, you’ve got the American Junior Golf Association, and they run tournaments throughout the year, and then they have four majors, just like the way they do in professional tournaments, and the Rolex is known as one of their majors.

To win that in America, you get recognised a lot, and it was a full-on tournament, and I lead from the second round, and I went into the last round with a five-shot lead, and I only won by one (shot). In the end, I got the job done, (even though) the weather was very difficult.

It was just a great learning experience, because you have to carry your own bag, and you have to get through all those conditions yourself, so it was a tough week, but it was all worth it at the end of the week.

Golf may be seen as a battle against yourself: what is it that keeps you coming back for more? I’m not really sure, actually, I guess always I had the love for the game. Whenever you step up in a tournament, you want to win.

If you don’t win that week, you want to go out there the next week, but you’re always striving for that winning feeling, winning is the best feeling in the world, once you get a taste of it, you just want it all the time.

What does competition bring out in you?

I think in competition it comes down to the pressure, I’ve always somehow thrived under pressure… I could be standing over a two-foot put and shaking, and still hold it.

Many people will say “You look so calm out there,” but I don’t feel like that most of the time. That’s what I thrive off.

You are going to have your bad times, and you are going to get down on yourself in golf.

But the people who succeed are those who can pick themselves up out of that slump and say, “Well, you’ve still got two holes to go, try to do your best, and see what can happen.”

Is it often like that, shaking inside?

Yeah, often! But somehow, I always seem to hole the put, and even though I’m shaking inside, and know the consequences if you miss the put.

As people say, “You look so calm,” but it’s hard to believe that. I think that’s why I’ve won so many tournaments, because I’ve been able to play well under that pressure.

How do you deal with success?

I just normally try to breathe, and just take big breaths in, and big breaths out, there’s not much more you can do.

Especially when it comes down to putting, I always just try to pick a spot, and hit it on that spot, and that’s all I think about.

You can’t think of the stroke, you can’t think of the hole, because that’s when everything goes wrong.

Favourite role model?

I look up to Ernie (Els) and Retief (Goosen) ‘cause they’re South African, and they’ve done so much for South African golf.

Annika Sorenstam in terms of women’s golf, she’s taken it to the next level. Anyone who is able to achieve half as much as she’s achieved will have a brilliant career.

How do you relax after an intense game?

I just go back to my hotel, listen to some music, chill… go out for dinner. When I’m not playing in tournaments, I just like to do normal things like any other teenager, go out with your friends, movies, and just relax at home.

You’re partnering Laurette Maritz in the Women’s World Cup of Golf again, what do you think of her as a golfer?

I’ve known Laurette for about four years now, we’ve gotten on well, and we’ve grown to know each other’s games. I think next year we’ll do very well in the World Cup.

I’ve grown as a golfer, and I’ve matured as the years have gone on, yeah, I’m looking forward to it.

What are you realistic hopes for the World Cup?

Next year I definitely think for the first time that we can win it, especially because we won the World Amateur Team Championships, myself, Kelli Shean and Stacey Bregman.

I think that has a lot to do with me believing South Africa can win a tournament like the World Cup. I’ve grown as a golfer, and Laurette, she’s a very steady golfer who’s been around for a long time.

We’ve heard that we won’t have Annika here, so (the World Cup) is not going to be as strong as the years before.

 

 

Go to our December gSTAR – Natalie du Toit

Go to our January Woman of the Month – Lesley Copeman

Go to our January Style Star- Simphiwe Dana

Go to our January Woman in Media – Lebo Motsoeli

Go to the gsport Newsroom