George, South Africa

Miss Moscow Of The Fairways

Russian beauty Maria Verchenova made her debut in the Gary Player Invitational, presented by Coca-Cola, at The Links at Fancourt and stunned everybody with a game that matches her looks.

It was a simple cup of tea that got the 22-year-old interested in golf to the extent that she is now the only Russian campaigning on the Ladies European Tour, with plans to graduate to the LPGA Tour in the near future.

“I grew up in Moscow and started playing golf at the age of four. I went with my father to a golf course one day for a cup of tea. It was the first time I saw people playing golf and I had my first lesson soon thereafter. I decided to just give it a go,” she said.

Verchenova was originally a ballet dancer, but gave that up to concentrate on golf.

“I started dancing when I was three years old and kept it up until about the age of 15,” she said.

She was the only one in her school to play golf, and admits teachers and friends considered her a bit of an oddity.

“Golf is not that big in Russia. You can only play golf there for about five or six months of the year because of the snow. There are only three golf courses in Moscow, and two of them are outside Moscow about two hours from my house.”

Verchenova, who played with Grand Slam champion Player, German banker Hans-Walter Peters and legendary footballer Lucas Radebe, promises to be back next year.

“It has been an incredible experience at this tournament. It’s really tough four young people to get into golf in Russia. It’s also expensive.

“I was the only golfer in my school, and the teachers always made fun of me about it, asking me if I enjoyed my holiday every time I went to play golf. They don’t consider golf a sport in Russia.

“Mr Player has been so inspiring. At 73, still so fit, so competitive and so giving. This tournament is a wonderful way to raise money and make young people aware.

“I think I have an obligation to return to Russia and inspire the girls and young women in my country to take up golf. Hopefully, in some years from now, I can invite Mr Player to the Maria Verchenova Invitational, hosted by Gary Player.”

Lali Stander
Media Manager
Gary Player Invitational
Tel: +27 82 990 7150
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