I have a severe sun sensitivity which kept me from doing many things for many years. One day, I volunteered for the Special Olympics and I was so inspired by the athletes I met that I promised to never feel sorry for myself again and go out there to have fun with all the sports I love. I have been on a "sport search" for many years, since my condition makes it hard to do the ones I really loved.
One of the sports I love is golf, but it looked impossible for me to do since you have to be under the sun for so many hours. I have been watching golf for a very long time, and in 2008 when Annika Sorenstam decided to step away from the game to fulfill other personal dreams, I went to watch her at the Sybase Classic in N.J. I was nervous because I was going to be out in the sun for hours, but decided that I would be brave and I researched sunblocks and found one that works for a super-sensitive person like myself, covered myself from head to toe, and headed out to see Annika. I followed her for about four hours and soon realized that even though I looked weird covered from head to toe in 85-degree weather, I could do this - I could be out there. A week later, I took golf lessons and was very interested in the game. I spent all of 2008 researching sunblocks, hats, sunglasses, clothes, and umbrellas that provide UV protection so I could play the game and have been very successful.
I went out to the Sybase Classic again in 2009 and decided to follow Suzann Pettersen for the day and ended up becoming a huge fan of that lady. How she swings and sets up for her shots helped me out tremendously because by watching her, the things my instructor had said for the last year sunk in and I made tremendous progress in my game. I ended up following Tutta for three out of the four days of the tournament, and have decided to watch her live in any tournament she is in on the east coast this year, as I learn so much by watching her play. Thanks, Annika and Tutta, for being my inspiration to go out there, have fun, and work on my golf game. It's hard sometimes because of the sun, but I found out that a lot of sunblock, good light clothes, and a great hat and umbrella can go a long way. I have learned through golf to never again let anything stop me from going out there and having fun in life!
Thank you, LPGA ladies, for getting this sun-challenged person out there and for inspiring me to fall in love with life and golf again!
Maritxa Reymundo
Dover, N.J.
If you have a positive story to tell, feel free to email it to feedback@lpga.com and it will be posted in the For the Love of the Fans section.
)
)
)
)
