Three new celebrities have signed up for ‘The First Tee’ with former Paralympic swimmer and gold medallist Ellen Keane, ex-Ireland international footballer Stephanie Zambra, and personal coach and fitness influencer Nathalie Lennon coming on board this year.
‘The First Tee’ is Golf Ireland’s social media campaign with the goal of encouraging more women to consider taking up the game of golf, by seeing women they follow embark on the challenge of learning how to both play and get into the sport over a 12-week period. The trio, who are all new to the game, recently had their first lessons at the driving range.
In the coming weeks, they will attend a ‘Get Into Golf’ session along with likeminded beginners and a Chip & Chat evening, joined by female golfers of all ages and abilities. Their crash course will culminate at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open Pro-Am on 2 July in Carton House.
Last year it was Muireann O'Connell, Kayleigh Trappe and Ailbhe Garrihy who took part as they were introduced to golf. Keane became Ireland’s youngest ever athlete when she swam at the Beijing Paralympic Games in 2008 before she went on to win gold at Tokyo 12 years later.
However, she believed her disability might have held her back in golf. “When I got asked to do this, I was afraid of not being able to hit the ball and the perception is you don't see a lot of disability when it comes to golf,” said Keane.
“I've never seen a one-armed golfer, so I was afraid because I had not seen it before, that I wouldn't be able to do it. So, when I met with Cian Arthurs, he's one of the Irish golfers with one arm, he put all my worries aside and showed me what I was able to do. I was a little bit afraid that I might need a prosthetic, but he showed me I don't need a prosthetic to do golf.
“Anything that I need to do I already have on me, which was really really good and gave me a lot of confidence, that I would be okay with this.” Former Republic of Ireland international, Zambra, scored a famous goal in 2013 which saw her finish second in the Puskas Award behind Colombia's James Rodriguez.
She recently took on a Women’s First Team Coaching role at Shamrock Rovers, having retired from playing duties with the Hoops last year. “Previously I haven't had much lessons, I always had an interest in it,” said Zambra.
“Growing up, in my estate we were quite lucky, we had loads of open fields and lots of open spaces so whenever any sport is on TV we were always out playing it, and golf was one of them. My brother had a set of golf clubs in the house, I used to steal his golf clubs every now and again, take one and go out and hit the ball, so I had an interest in it from a very young age.
“My dad used to bring us to the driving range up in Stepaside as well but never had proper structure to what I was doing, so I’m really excited to get some help and lessons.” Having qualified as a personal trainer in 2016, Lennon is a health and fitness coach who spreads her message based on body confidence, sustainable habits, and an optimal relationship with food and fitness.
“My experience with golf has been extremely minimal, second to none,” said Lennon. “I've been to a driving range, maybe twice in my life, so a lot of nervous excitement right now.
“Today will definitely be my first time really picking up a golf club. At the driving range a couple of years ago, I picked it up but I didn't know how to hold it, what way to use it, so today would be an experience for sure.”
