Maria Verchenova | 05/14/2009 6:19 pm
Maria Verchenova: The Russian Maria Sharapova of Golf?
Maria Verchenova, a young female golfer from Moscow, is getting some recognition on the Internet —- but not for her swing …
Maria Verchenova © Getty Images
Maria Verchenova, a young female golfer from Moscow, is getting some recognition on the Internet —- but not due to her swing. The Chicago Sun-Times has billed her the "new (pretty) face of women’s golf" and a website dedicated to Verchenova has dubbed her the "next big sex symbol in sports."
In an interview with GolfPunk International magazine and Golf360, the
23-year-old, who just became the first Russian to become a full-time
member of the Ladies European Tour, opened up about her life, skills
and how she is the Maria Sharapova of golf.
gP: So. why golf?
That’s a question I often ask myself! Golf isn’t a big sport back in my homeland. When I was 12 my Dad fancied learning to play, so I just went along to the golf club with him and had lessons at the same time. To be honest I didn’t really enjoy it, I wanted to be a professional ballet dancer. But my Dad identified that I had talent, and encouraged me to practice hard on the driving range. Now that I’m on Tour and making a living out of the game I love playing. So I guess he was right!
gP: Russia isn’t exactly renowned for its golfing prowess…
Yeah in Russia everyone is interested in tennis, tennis, tennis at the moment. Hopefully I’ll be the one to change things!
gP: Inevitably you’ve been compared to other sexy Russian sportswomen like Anna Kournikova and Maria Sharapova. How does that sit with you?
Yeah a lot of people say that but I’m like: ‘Hey come on guys – I’m not blonde!’ I was in Japan recently and there was a crowd of people shouting ‘SHA-RA-POVA’ at me! She is a good-looking girl and a great athlete, but I don’t want to be the Maria Sharapova of golf. I want to be the golfer – Maria Verchenova.
Click here to read the full interview from GolfPunk International Magazine (PDF)
To Golf 360, Verchenova also admits that tennis player Sharapova is a role model - but she is adamant about the reasons.
I am looking at Maria, not because of the way she looks but because of the way she plays. I think Russian women are strong mentally. They are trying really hard and they are achieving things.Verchenova, she certainly has beauty and brains.
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3 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment
Maria Verchenova may not be a household name yet, but she should be. She might be in the future, as she has quite the story. Maria Verchenova is only 23 years old and is making a heavy impact in the Ladies European Tour in golf, and a rising star of women’s golf. She is also the first Russian to appear on the tour, which is quite the achievement. Many would give installment loans to get on any pro tour. She’s known for fierce determination and an uncanny ability on the long ball, dueling with LPGA legend Annika Sorenstam at the Dubai Ladies’ Masters. She won’t likely need debt consolidation, as Maria Verchenova is primed for a long and distinguished career.