REASONS prove that Paige Spiranac is a golf star who deserves to be recognized by everyone | HO

REASONS prove that Paige Spiranac is a golf star who deserves to be recognized by everyone

Paige Spiranac is many things at once. She’s a former professional golfer who went from being one of the world’s top recruits to a college golf star. She’s also a social media influencer with millions of Instagram followers and an equally sizable community on Youtube.

But what she is not is an ‘industry plant’ with little or no talent or a gimmick in the golf industry. Because one does not become the first woman in history to hold the mic at the Dubai Desert Classic by looks alone, these pictures tell the story of a woman on a mission to bring inclusivity into the world of golf.

A Little Girl With Big Dreams

Growing up, Paige was reminded of all the ways her family was extraordinary. And like most little girls, she looked up to her parents and big sister as role models. If they could do it, so could she. Nothing could stand in her way of becoming a professional athlete as well.

So that little girl growing up in Monument, Colorado, decided one day that she would compete as a gymnast at the Olympics. Her parents were excited and only happy to support her in any way they could. Paige began practicing gymnastics. Everything was working out just as she had planned.

Change Of Plans

Sadly, a disaster awaited Paige ahead of the road. She was only 12 years of age when she suffered a twice-broken kneecap. Gymnastics, like most sports, holds a risk of injury, and she had known this before starting.

There’s Still Hope

Luckily for Paige, she found her light at the end of the tunnel. Though her dreams of performing at the Olympics could no longer be achieved and her broken knee hurt, it would still heal. She would get the chance to explore some other career paths.

Paige was lucky to be surrounded by family and friends showering her with their love and attention. And as time passed, she overcame her initial feelings of grief and depression. Time, they say, heals all wounds. And for Paige, that was true both for her physical injury and the mental scar left by her shattered dreams.

Finding Salvation Through Golf

Golf was indeed the light at the end of the tunnel for Paige. After giving up her dreams of becoming a professional gymnast, she turned to golf to fill the hole in her heart. But back then, she couldn’t have guessed how far it would take her.

But it did and has taken her so far in her career. Today, she’s not only recognized for her skills as a professional golfer, but she also passes on her knowledge by working as an instructor. Yet Paige didn’t achieve all that in a day. The road to her success was plagued with many obstacles.

Dealing With Haters

No one gets to achieve anything in life without a crowd of naysayers hurling stones at them. Because when a person tries to climb up a ladder, there will always be someone else trying to drag them back down.

Paige has dealt with her fair share of hateful remarks, criticisms, and nasty comments. And many have accused her of giving women’s golf a bad name. All because her sense of style doesn’t reflect their outdated ideals. But every criticism is an opportunity to send a message. And she’s always used her platform to emphasize women’s rights to feel comfortable in their skin.

Lpga Gets Some Backlash

Just as Paige was getting heat for refusing to cower to the demands of her haters, the LPGA Tour decided to introduce a stricter dress code for women golfers in July of 2017. They restricted women golfers from wearing short skirts, leggings, or clothes with plunging necklines.

Yet they weren’t prepared for the amount of backlash they would get. In a piece published by “Fortune” magazine, Paige spoke against the sexist restrictions. Even “Fox Sports” released a news article with more objections to the LPGA’s faulty position. It was clear to most that there would be no progress in golf if women players were shamed for their appearance.

Paige Was Homeschooled

Paige’s life as a budding athlete was not like that of most kids her age. While other kids were attending school, joining clubs, and exchanging notes in class about annoying teachers, she was busy training. Paige split her time between Scottsdale, Arizona, and her home in Monument, Colorado.

And because the traditional school would affect her ability to train, she was home-schooled. Even then, at a young age, she knew that some sacrifices in life were necessary to pursue great success. So maybe, she missed out on some experiences, but looking at where she is now, it was well worth it.

A Taste Of Success

Gymnastics may not have worked out, but golf was here to stay. And Paige was determined to give it all she had. At the start of her career playing junior golf, she won five tournaments in seven tries on the junior golf circuit in Colorado. And that was no easy fit.
Her achievements also include some wins at the 2010 CWGA Junior Stroke Play. So by the time she was gearing up for college, Paige had already gotten her first taste of success. After all, nothing beats the satisfaction of being recognized for your skills, and her wins gave Paige the confidence she needed to plan for the future.

Landing A Scholarship

The Spiranacs were ready to pay for Paige’s college tuition. But it turned out they didn’t even need to. As a top-5 college recruit, she received a golf scholarship from the University of Arizona. She would get to play with the Wildcats!

Landing that scholarship meant much more than not having to pay out of pocket for college. It also meant that Paige’s skills had been well recognized, and a college team would be lucky to have her join their ranks. This was everything she dreamed of as a young girl nursing a broken kneecap. She couldn’t contain her excitement.

Hitting The Ground Running

Joining the University of Arizona Wildcats was a dream come true, and Paige was not about to let waste the opportunity. So though she prioritized her academic work, she also didn’t place golf on a back burner–there was room for both on her list of priorities.
In her first year, she joined the Wildcats to compete in three separate events. First was the Windy City Intercollegiate, then the Pac-12/SEC Challenge, and the final event was the Wildcat Invitational. And at the end of the 2011-2012 session, Paige had a top score of 73. She knew she could do much better.

Not A One-Hit Wonder

College was a different time, and the stakes were not as high. Yet Paige was reminded of the promises she’d made to herself as a child. If she couldn’t make it in one sport, she would do so in another. And since golf was her chosen medium, she wouldn’t let anyone discourage her from her path.

Most athletes struggle with feelings of anxiety early on in their careers. “Yes, I won once. But what if I fail next time?” Paige didn’t want to prove her younger self wrong. Rather than becoming a one-hit wonder, she would establish her skills by racking up more wins.

Leaving The Wildcats

Paige decided to transfer to San Diego State during her sophomore year. It turned out to be a wise decision because she enjoyed even more success during her 2012-2013 season with the Aztecs. Success began when the San Diego State University Aztecs won the First-Team All-Mountain West honors.

It was followed by a fifth-place finish at the Cal Classic and a sixth at the Mountain West Championships. And later on, they placed nineteenth at the NCAA Central Regional Championships. It was an exciting season, and Paige had pushed her limits. But there would be more to celebrate in her future. That was for sure.

Happiest Moment Of Her Life

Paige’s junior year went as well as her sophomore year. The Aztecs had been motivated by the previous season. They hit the ground running starting the 2013-2014 season. As a result, they landed a top-ten finish at the Mountain West Championship and a Second-team All-Mountain West Honors.

But nothing could have prepared them for the following year. Paige’s senior year ended with the Aztecs’ winning the Mountain West Conference Championship for the first time in school history. She was beyond ecstatic to be part of such a monumental win. And today, it remains one of the happiest moments of her life.

Going Professional

After college, Paige entered the world of professional golfing. She made her debut in 2016 at the developmental Cactus Tour at Las Colina’s club in Arizona. She was finally doing what she had dreamed of all those years ago. It felt wonderful to be playing golf professionally.

It’s easy to assume that professional golfers lead a glamorous life. Especially as their always traveling across the country for various tournaments, showing up in magazines and television commercials, and signing brand deals. But it takes a lot of talent, skill, and dedication to making it in the industry. Paige knew it wouldn’t be an easy ride.

Not All Golf

But as committed as Paige is to the sport, her life does not entirely revolve around golf. We, unfortunately, still live in a society where women are put into small boxes. Any attempt to escape those restrictions would be met with criticism.

Paige is determined to change that perception. In her own words, she’s ‘a rising golf talent’ and media personality who’s made it her mission to show the world how exciting golf can be. And that means we get to see her having fun and exploring other career options. Yes, golf matters, but there’s more to her life than hitting ’em long and straight.

Modeling Is In Her Blood

Modeling is one of the fun things Piage does when she’s not hitting the green. And we all have to admit that she’s well suited to the profession. In fact, with her aesthetically pleasing features, she would have made a killing as a professional stunner even without golf at the side.

And we’re not just blowing smoke. Paige has appeared in various magazines like “Sports Illustrated Swimsuit” and “Golf Digest.” And she’s admitted that her photoshoot with the former in 2018 left her feeling very empowered and confident in her skin. Saying yes to the photo shoot was her way of taking back control.

Landing A No. 1 Spot

Interestingly, golfing was always a priority before Paige tried her hand at modeling. Yet most of the criticisms she’s gotten over the course of her career have been from people who assume that she does not deserve all the recognition she gets.

And as if to prove naysayers wrong, she got even more recognition for her looks in 2022. That was also the year she made history as the first athlete to ever attain a No. 1 spot in the “Maxim’s” Hot 100 list. It shows that women athletes are not monoliths–they can simultaneously be phenomenally skilled and breathtakingly beautiful.

Making Money Off Her Passion

Paige made quite a killing moneywise during the start of her professional golfing career. For example, she received $800 after finishing ninth at Stallion Mountain and a $575 prize at the Aliante Golf. She also earned $600 and $1,750 after competing at Walnut Creek and CoBank Colorado Women’s Open.

While these may not look like much, adding them all together should paint a better picture. Because at the end of her first season, Paige had netted over $8K in prize money. While the joy of following a passion comes ultimately from doing what you love, getting financial compensation for it also makes it worthwhile.

Dealing With The Bad Days

Yet despite the many positives that came from playing golf, Paige had moments where she felt inadequate. She began neglecting her own interests at a very young age, choosing to rely instead on the approval of others. As a result, she felt she would never be good enough. And no amount of recognition could take away those negative feelings.

Of course, looking at her glamorous photos on social media, no one would expect that the radiant golf enthusiast would ever suffer from low self-esteem. But this just shows that there’s more to people than the image they reflect on social media.

Pressure To Fit The Mold

Because of her lifelong struggle with anxiety and the eventual bullying she suffered, Paige began to lose interest in golf. She had gotten a scholarship to play in college and got recognized as one of the top-ranked amateur players in the world. But the pressure to perform made her lose her love for the sport.

In her first “Golf Magazine” column, Paige revealed that she had no problem shooting lights out on the range and during practice rounds. But once the time came to compete, she fell apart. It was frustrating to realize that she couldn’t meet the expectations placed on her.

Anti Bullying Stance

It is because of her intimate knowledge of the harm that bullying does that Paige has become a lifelong anti-bullying advocate. The internet places such a premium on anonymity that people feel justified to speak negatively about people, their hobbies, their goals, and their actions without any regard for their mental health.

And since she went pro, Paige consistently fought for her right to self-expression and the collective rights of all women to feel comfortable in their skin. The journey has only begun, but she remains committed to making a positive change in the world. Which is a stance we can’t help but admire.

Just Trying To Survive

But random comments on the internet shaming her for her looks are not all Paige has had to deal with. People began to invade her privacy just as she started growing a large following on the internet.

Paige and her family suffered from different forms of harassment. She had to deal with death threats, blackmail ploys, and invasion of privacy. All because of trying to survive and play golf in a male-dominated world. Why couldn’t she dress the way she wanted and still enjoy the sport? Why did she have to suffer to such an extent for the sake of her passion?

A Family Of Overachievers

Looking at family, it’s hardly surprising that Spiranac ended up in sports. Her father played football with the University of Pittsburgh Panthers football team. At the same time, her mother was a professional ballet dancer.

Her parents had set quite a lofty standard, and things would have been fine if none of their children had chosen to follow similar paths. But fate had something funny in store for the Spiranacs. Paige’s sister, Lexie, developed an interest in running track. And she was so good that she received an athletic scholarship to attend Stanford. The die was cast. Paige couldn’t be the odd one out.

Starting An Important Conversation

The treatment Paige has suffered over the course of her career sparks an important conversation about the rules and conventions that guide golfing. And the question is, why should dress matter so much? After all, Paige is no different from the average golfer. She follows the rules and even has the talent to boot.

But because she dresses differently and chooses to hold on to her sense of style, people assume she’s doing it wrong. It’s about time the world had a rethink about the treatment women athletes receive in the industry. As Paige says, the sport needs to become more inclusive and forward-thinking.

Social Media Queen

Luckily, Paige didn’t let all the hate and negativity get to her. And her influence as a content creator and social media queen keeps growing by the day. “My life is golf.” She says. “My detractors love to tell me I don’t know anything about the game, but it feels like the only thing I do know.”

And she’s made it her life’s work to impart all the knowledge to the younger generation. Her Youtube channel alone is home to hundreds of instructional videos that offer tips to golf enthusiasts who hope to improve their game. And since Paige has played at every level, she knows her stuff!

Brand Partnerships

As a content creator and influencer, Paige has also collaborated with several industry giants on various projects. For example, in 2017, she signed a contract with parsons Xtreme Golf to represent them on social media and in TV commercials.

That same year, she also became a brand ambassador for 18birdies, a free mobile app that helps connect golfers and courses across the nation. Moreover, she’s still working hard. In 2021, Paige became a significant shareholder and brand ambassador of the global sportsbook operator “PointsBet.” As if that wasn’t enough, the contract also allowed her to work as an on-air personality.

Being A Voice For Good

Paige is the voice of her generation in more ways than one. And she deserves even more recognition for the work she’s doing to shed light on prevalent issues within the world of sports. In 2020, she started a podcast, “Playing-A-Round-with Paige Renee,” so YouTube is not the only place fans can visit to enjoy her insight.

As far as activism goes, she works with Cybersmile Foundation to educate the public on cyberbullying and the harm it does. And according to her, the work she does on these platforms is leaps and bounds above the satisfaction she gained from playing competitively.

Teaching The Next Generation

The gems Paige Spiranac shares on her Youtube channel and Podcast are worth more than we could ever guess. She has playlists that offer everything from introductory videos on the basics of golf all the way to in-depth lessons for the more experienced players.

In this way, both beginners who are just getting into the game and consistent golfers who want to improve their game can gain a lot from her weekly videos. Of course, her discussions sometimes delve into other topics like popular culture or her personal life. Basically, the channel just offers an entertaining glimpse into her world.

The Source Of The Criticism

Things took a wrong turn for Paige in 2015 after she was hired to introduce the players at the Dubai Desert Classic Golf Tournament. It was the first time in history that a woman would get that honor, which helped her catch the public’s attention.

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Though she enjoyed favorable reception at that moment, it wasn’t long before things began to go wrong. People began to question her golfing accomplishments. They believed she had done nothing to deserve all that recognition, and her social media presence and number of followers were too large for her to be considered a ‘serious golfer.’

Every Woman Has A Story To Tell

Sadly, many women in sports have a similar story to tell. Paige believes that if she were a guy with a similar social following or such a level of self-confidence, she wouldn’t receive this much criticism. Instead, people would only praise her for being a ‘boss’ and a go-getter.

But because her physical fitness and style don’t fit the mold, people have accused her of being a publicity gimmick. That is an insult to all her years of training and the work she’s done for her community. And the fact that many women face this level of discrimination doesn’t make it right.

Just An Ordinary Girl

Many forget that celebrities who spend most of their time in the public eye are also individuals just like them. And Paige would like to remind us that she is just an ordinary girl trying to make a living in the world, just like everyone else.

Before she got into golf, she was a young girl–a young girl who had terrible asthma and a hair condition that nearly turned her bald before the age of ten. Though the media may try to paint her in a weird light, she is a person with feelings. We ought to always remember that.

Keeping It Under Wraps

Because she learned early on that people would always disabuse any personal information they got on the internet, Paige learned to protect her privacy. So not many people knew when she first got into a relationship with the athletic trainer, Steven Tinoco.

They both met in the early beginnings when she was starting her professional golfing career. And they kept their relationship under wraps until 2018, when they finally tied the knot. In a 2020 interview with “The Post,” Paige opened up a little about her marriage life. She enjoyed having a quiet home that wasn’t tainted by the media’s influence.

A Fresh Start

Still, not all love stories have happy endings. And in March 2022, Paige revealed on Instagram that she was recently divorced and was looking forward to a fresh start. She further stated that she felt excited about the new stage of her life

But as you’d expect, fans were curious to hear even more details.
We all sought to take a lesson in setting boundaries from Paige Spiranac. Her response to the numerous questions was concise yet respectful. “I was married, but I am no longer married.” She said. “If you could just respect my privacy, it would mean a lot to me.”
Living Her Best Life

Life as a single girl is going great for Paige. During her Instagram Q & A in March 2022, she opened up about the life changes she was making. She moved from her apartment to a spacious home in Colorado. And though it wasn’t easy trying to juggle moving, work, and her personal life, she made it work.

Her travel vlog also revealed many details about her trip to Los Angeles, and it was genuinely heartwarming to see her having fun. She had photoshoots with Club Champion and BYLT Basic Shoot. And she also got to test drive a Ferrari.

Still Not A Gimmick

Now that she’s reclaimed her power and redefined her idea of professional golfing, many people still believe Paige was never meant for the industry. They’re wrong, of course. She would never have entered college as a top recruit in the first place if she lacked talent.

It’s only sad that the pressure of competitive golf made her lose her passion. But though she didn’t get to achieve most of her goals, she fell in love with golf again the moment she figured out the problem. Paige loves to golf, and not only competitively. At the end of the day, the game still gives her joy.

Breaking Conventions

Paige’s Cactus Tour went well, but her LPGA attempt didn’t go as planned. In August 2016, she competed in her first LPGA Qualifying Tournament but failed to earn a card to play on the pro circuit. She had a tough time at that period of her life. Yet websites manipulated that aspect of her life with ridiculous headlines to drive up views.

But Paige has since accepted that those experiences don’t define her as a person. She is so much more than clickbait, false statements, and negative criticisms that aren’t grounded in fact. We can only aspire to her level of self-assurance.

Challenging The Status Quo

Paige is not ignorant of the general public’s dismissive attitude toward her, especially concerning her career in women’s golf. But being the stalwart athlete she is, all that negativity only fuels her determination to start a conversation and help change the predominant conventions attempting to stifle budding female athletes’ careers.

Through her Youtube channel and podcast, she does her part to help create awareness for the golfing community. So though she may not be playing competitively, no one can deny that she’s doing a lot to grow the game and ensure that golf lovers from all walks of life find acceptance.

Hope For The Future

Professional golfers may enjoy the fame and recognition that comes with playing the sport on a global stage. But there’s still work to be done. Everyday golfers who lack such large platforms still need guidance from veterans. And that is where Paige Spiranac shines the most.

She once lost her taste for golf. But her drive and determination to make a change helped her regain her love for golf. Now she’s found a renewed passion for teaching all she knows about the sport. We’re pretty sure that the 12-year-old girl who broke her knee all those years ago would be proud of what she’s achieved today.