Player - Jennifer Rosales

Venue - Squaw Creek Country Club, Youngstown Ohio

Tournament - Giant Eagle Golf Classic

Date - July 27-79, 2001

I had the time of my life last July 25-29, 2001 when I visited LPGA Professional Jennifer Rosales at Youngstown, Ohio for the Giant Eagle Golf Classic. We spent five days together practicing and going around the area with her caddy Thomas "Motion" Frank. Being with her during the week, experiencing the life she lives every tournament week, the hectic schedules, the wonderful attention she gets from everybody, and just the mere fact that this is the ultimate tour for women golfers, and Jenny has made it all the way, made my stay all the more special. During breaks on our practices I had enough time to ask her some questions that I will now share with you.

Bong - Jenny how are you? How's your life here at the LPGA?

Jenny - First of all I want to say that I'm very hungry already! We've been playing for 6 hours and I'm ready to eat and eat and eat. I'm okay! The life here is nice… I'm happy.

Bong - that's good that your okay, do you get lonely here?

Jenny - I'm really okay, sometimes I get lonely but you find ways to survive here. It's my life now that's why!

Bong - let's go back a bit in your life, when did you start to play golf?

Jenny - I started to play when I was a teenager already. I went to the range with my brother Gerald (APGA Pro) and my sister Mitch. We practiced and played at Camp Aguinaldo Golf Club. The three of us were very athletic so we learned to play golf right away, the funny thing is my sister Mitch quit playing when Gerald shank his shot and hit her with the ball on hole 12 of Aguinaldo, and that was the end of my sisters desire to play golf.

Bong - Do you miss Manila? If yes what in particular?

Jenny - Yes!!!! Specially the food and my family and friends. There is no social life for me here. It's all work and practice everyday. If not for the golf, I would definitely be home right now. I miss my mom a lot, she cooks for me Lukban longganisa when I'm home, and that's my favorite food!! I love to eat meat; I don't go for veggies too much. Rice is a must for me. And I never drink sodas, only water and sometimes fruit juices.

Bong - Do you have a favorite club?

Jenny - Of Course my 60 Degrees Cleveland sand wedge. It's so old and has no more grooves, the Cleveland Rep must think that I'm crazy because he sends me so many wedges but I don't use them…. I just give them to my brother.

Bong - is there anything that you want to change for the better?

Jenny - The one thing I want to improve is my attitude, I'm such a perfectionist!! In my golf, my life and even my clothes, I don't even want to go out of the house if my clothes are not ironed properly. Imagine that!!! I really want to learn to be to hard on myself when I don't play well. I have to learn that golf cannot be perfected, and the more I realized that I think the better I will be.

Bong - Speaking of clothes, I see that you are a fashion statement in the tour, is this on purpose?

Jenny - Yes of course!!! I don't want to be ordinary, I want to stand out. That's why I like to dye my hair different colors every time, I wear funky hats and bandanas. It's my own way of celebrating…. My way of having fun.

Bong - How much do you practice nowadays?

Jenny - I'm so lazy!… I get tired easily… that's why my idol is my brother, he seldom practices yet he still shoots under par ever time. Me I practice about 1 hour everyday… that's enough for me. I go for quality practice.

Bong - You've made some money on your 2 years here on your, have you given yourself a present?

Jenny - I just bought a BMW 5 series, it's in Los Angeles…. But right after I win my first tournament I will buy a new Ferrari then I will go home and treat all my friends out for dinner!!

Bong - You have played with so many famous people, here and in the Philippines, do you still have a dream golf game with somebody?

Jenny - If I can play with Brad Pitt, then I will be so happy!! I don't think he plays… so it will just remain a dream.

Bong - I feel very proud of you Jenny, this week has opened my eyes to how much you really have accomplished! Do you feel proud too?

Jenny - Yes, I'm proud of what I have accomplished and achieved so far…but I really think I can win here… I really think I belong. I just have to be more patient and improve on my game and I know that my time to win will come. I will never stop trying; I owe it to my family and my country to do my best all the time.