Class and elegance on the green
Let us welcome our new player, Lucrezia Colombotto Rosso, who was kind enough to talk to us on a video call directly from her home in Monaco to tell us about herself over the course of a lovely afternoon chat. A Q&A about old memories, future ambitions and behind-the-scenes stories from the life of the young professional golfer. A journey through memories, competitions around the world and her desire to never stop challenging herself. Her name also plays a part in the recent history of Italian women’s golf. Born in 1996, Lucrezia is a proette who is a firm fixture on the Ladies European Tour, the top European circuit. A past as a pillar of the Italian Women’s National Golf Team and a future as a professional that is yet to be written. I must admit, it was a thrill to see Lucrezia again, even if it was only through a computer screen. The last time we met was in 2013, when she beat me in match-play during the Italian Absolute Championships. I had left behind a 17-year-old girl with incredible talent and now found myself before a determined, athletic woman with innate elegance and clear ideas about what she wants from life.
LUCREZIA, YOU LEAVE BEHIND YOU A 2020 FILLED WITH PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS. I’D SAY THAT THE ANNUS HORRIBILIS WASN’T TOO BAD FOR YOU.
You’re right. Despite the fact that it was a year to be forgotten in many ways, I can personally say that 2020 was a great turning point for my career. I kept working steadily during the lockdown, even from home, thanks to a net I had set up in the living room (much to my mother’s delight). Once competitions began again, I was consistent, achieving excellent goals and playing in lots of tournaments, many more than in previous years.
HOW OLD WERE YOU WHEN YOU STARTED PLAYING GOLF?
11 years old, in Monaco where I still live. It was love at first sight and I have my father to thank for that. At the time, I was playing competitive tennis, then one Wednesday my father took me with him to the driving range and that’s when I knew my place was along the fairways.
SO AT 11 YEARS OLD, WHEN OTHER LITTLE GIRLS ARE DREAMING OF BEING BALLERINAS OR VETERINARIANS, YOU HAD ALREADY DECIDED WHAT YOU WANTED TO DO?
Yes, absolutely. I’ve always excelled at sports. I think that being sporty defines me as a person. And as soon as I became acquainted with the balls and clubs, I realised that being a pro was in my future.
DID YOU NOTICE THE TRANSITION FROM AMATEUR TO PRO?
Enormously. When you’re on the National team, you are mollycoddled. You only have to think about playing. Others take care of everything else. Then when I was 19, I found myself having to manage my life and face everyday life with its little and big challenges. The first two years as a proette were tough. I had to get to grips with a life that consisted of suitcases, travelling, transfers and pre-race anxiety. In my job, organisation is key.
DO YOU HAVE A FEMALE PLAYER WHO YOU LOOK UP TO?
I have two. In Italy, Diana Luna, one of the most talented players our country has. For me, it is a real honour to be able to train with her in Cannes and play alongside her. She is an extraordinary woman, always ready to give you a hand and support you despite the competition that, inevitably, arises during every tournament. Internationally, on the other hand, Lorena Ochoa, the Mexican golfer who has achieved everything that an athlete dreams about in the course of their career in just six years. Ochoa has a charitable foundation to benefit the most vulnerable children and in my own small way I would like to follow in her footsteps.
SO YOU’D ALSO LIKE TO GET INVOLVED IN CHARITY WORK?
Yes, I would like to create my own non-profit organisation and offer life opportunities to vulnerable children through programs related to health, education and social inclusion via golf.
WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE SHORT AND LONG TERM?
In the short term, I want to qualify for the Solheim Cup, get into the top 10 of the European Order of Merit and play for Italy at the next Olympics in Tokyo. In the long term, on the other hand, I would like to get the LPGA Tour card, the top American circuit and move overseas.
WHAT IS THE BEST MEMORY YOU HAVE OF YOUR CAREER AS AN AMATEUR AND PROFESSIONAL PLAYER?
As an amateur, taking second place in the European Team Championships. We didn’t win, but the atmosphere, the team spirit and synergy that was created with my team mates is a memory that I will carry with me forever. As a professional, on the other hand, taking part in the U.S. Women’s Open. I didn’t make the cut but on the second day I received so much affection and support from the spectators that it made me realise how lucky I am to be doing the greatest job there is.
DO YOUR PARENTS COME WITH YOU DURING TOURNAMENTS?
At the beginning of my career when I was playing on the European junior circuit, I would almost always travel alone and make arrangements with other players. In the first few years, you are testing the waters and saving as much as possible. Then my father started caddying for me in a few races, but I have to admit that I’m not easy to handle, especially when I’m under stress. I have a bit of a temper...
2021 STARTED WITH SOME GREAT NEWS, NAMELY THAT YOU ARE THE NEW CHERVÒ AMBASSADOR. WHAT ARE THE VALUES YOU SHARE WITH THE CLOTHING BRAND?
Chervò is a classy, chic brand yet also versatile and I see myself in these characteristics. I can wear wonderful colourful and technical dresses on the green and, in the evening, flaunt clothing pieces in a different way, personalised for an aperitif with friends. Carrying the Chervò name around the world is a source of great pride for me and I truly hope I can give my all and live up to it. To be continued…
