Interview With Seema Sadekar – Big Break Sandals Resorts Contestant
Born in Toronto Canada, Seema Sadekar was an All-American junior and collegiate player from University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV). Along with her appearance on the Golf Channel’s hit series The Big Break at Sandals Resort in The Bahamas, Seema will expand her competitive play in Europe and Asia for the 2011 year as well as compete on both the CN Canadian and Duramed Futures Tours. Sadekar is heavily involved with her older sister’s golf events company, and also is co-founder of a golf marketing and apparel company.
Seema is well liked, and as evidenced on the Big Break, she was gracious and supportive, even while trying to beat her friends and fellow competitors’ brains out. In fact, Big Break Sandals Resorts Champion Carling Coffing credited Seema for helping her on the show with her support and words of encouragement. Seema was gracious enough to get with me to answer the same questions I asked Carling and several of the other contestants, which will be posted in the near future. Be sure to check out Seema’s Big Break diaries during her time on the show.
ITG: How long have you been playing golf, and how did you get your start?
SEEMA: I started playing at the age of 11. My father would always go golfing on the weekends and my sister (Nisha Sadekar) and I would always want to spend time with him, so he would take us to the course. Nisha picked up the game fast and became a prominent player as a junior and throughout her professional career. As a younger sister I look up to her and till today love following in her footsteps.
ITG: When did you know you wanted to be a professional golfer?
SEEMA: When I was 19 years old, I played in my first LPGA event at the CN Canadian Women’s Open. I was the youngest Canadian in the field and I remember having a huge following with so many people cheering for me. The fans made me feel so good, my father was on the bag and my game was in great shape. I enjoyed every moment of it and will work hard every day to make my dream to compete on the LPGA come true.
ITG: You appeared on the Golf Channel’s Big Break series. What can you tell people about the experience that we may not know from watching it on TV?
SEEMA: What can I say, I have never experienced the pressure I felt on the Big Break. My poor little heart was beating uncontrollably when I hit most of my shots. However, I enjoyed the experience and the opportunity to show the golf world who I am J
ITG: Has being on the Big Break changed your career? If so, in what way?
SEEMA: I think it has, I learned a lot about myself on the show and also watching myself on the show. I think it has made me a stronger person and player. I also feel like I have a lot more support and fans around the world that are now following and cheering for me to do well. Also, my golf businesses Play Golf Designs and Minx Golf have been more of a success!
ITG: Are you involved in any charities or business ventures off the course?
SEEMA: I am proud to say that I am the new official spokeswomen for the Las Vegas Humane Society! I love all animals, I have three of my own and they are my best friends. My sister Nisha Sadekar and I also run Play Golf Designs (www.playgolfdesigns.com) which is Las Vegas based, we have 24 of the most fashionable, talented and charismatic women professional golfers, We do lots of charity and corporate outings all over the United States. We also started a company called Minx Golf (www.minxgolf.com) where we design lots of sparkly fun golf accessories and Indian inspired jewelry.
ITG: How difficult is it financially, physically and mentally to play professional golf?
SEEMA: Golf has made that transition from a game to a sport. Making sure you are physically fit is key to being successful on the golf course. Women are getting stronger and because of this courses are getting longer. Staying and being mentally strong is also a key component for playing solid golf. Believing in yourself and trusting everything you do on and off the golf course will reflect in your performance. Golf becomes difficult when you hit the financial aspect. Unless you are fortunate to have a sponsor that believes in you and helps you move your career to the next level it can be tough. I know many talented and inspiring golfers who work many jobs so that they are able to make their dreams come true. I am one of them. In my case, I am lucky to have an amazing sister who believes and helps me get through the year. Having my sponsor, working and building my companies gets me through the year and lets me stay focused on what I need to do.
ITG: How much time do you spend practicing and working out in a typical week?
SEEMA: I spend about 4-5 hours on the course ( I live in Las Vegas, any longer and I think I would die of heat stroke) and about 2 hours in the gym 5 days a week.
ITG: What do you like to do when you aren’t playing golf?
SEEMA: Nothing! Sometimes I just enjoy laying down in peace and quiet with my pets beside me. If it is my day off after a long tournament week, I like to get my nails done, go shopping and finally get dressed up in pretty and sparkly dresses and have fancy dinners in my amazing city Las Vegas with my sister!
ITG: Can you tell us something funny and/or interesting about you that most people don’t know?
SEEMA: O-Gosh! How embarrassing, Ok… Sometimes I talk to myself in the mirror. I pretend I am on Oprah and I just won the US Open and I talk about how amazing I am for just winning the US Open!
ITG: Do you have a website or fan page people can go to follow you?
SEEMA: You can follow me on twitter and stay updated on where I am and what I am doing.Twitter.com/seemasadekar and SadekarSisters.com and Seemagolf.com
ITG: What advice can you give to young people who want to follow in your footsteps and become a professional golfer?
SEEMA: Smile and love what you do. Never let anyone bring you down, if you trust and believe you will achieve.
ITG: Who or what has been the biggest influence in your golf career?
SEEMA: There are so many people who have influenced me throughout my career. My parents have given me all the tools and support to get me where I am today. My sister has been my rock and my best friend throughout my ups and downs. My swing coach Vic Wilk truly believes in me and spends hours on the course putting up with me. Tiger Woods has motivated me, He has so much energy and drive to be and remain the best player in the world. I feel he has changed the game and has taken to the next level. Michael Jackson is the man! I love his sense of fashion, ever since I was little I would wear sparkly dresses because I adored his style and till today I still do 🙂
ITG: If you could play golf with anyone – past or present – who would be in your foursome? What course would you play?
SEEMA: TIGER WOODS- He is the best player that has ever played the sport (after me of course!)
MICHAEL JACKSON- I would love to see what he would wear to the course, I would definitely try my hardest to out bling him! He also has such good rhythm, would be interesting to see his golf swing! I LOVE MJ!
MARIAH CAREY- I just love her too! She is 100 percent Diva. I one day want to be the Mariah Carey of golf! I think she would be a good time on the course and she would love my sparkly diamond studded golf bag!
I would probably have us all play at my golf course Dragon Ridge Country Club in Las Vegas, I always start off strong on the opening 5 holes so I feel like Tiger would be immediately intimidated by me! Hahaha Also, because they all spoil me rotten at my course so I know they would take good care of us!
ITG: If you could change any rule in golf, what rule would you change and why?
SEEMA: If you are in a divot in the middle of the fairway you can lift clean and place it one club length no closer to the hole. Can’t tell you how many times my ball rolls into divots that look like I am half way to China. NOT COOL!
ITG: What’s the toughest part about life on tour?
SEEMA: I would have to say sometimes it gets lonely. Lots of traveling and alone time. Sometimes I wish I had an arm candy of a caddy to consistently travel with me. One day 🙂
ITG: What’s the strength of your game? And where do you feel you need to improve?
SEEMA: I am pretty straight and solid off the tee. My putting needs a little work. I just got my new pink and purple putter from Scotty Cameron and I am positive it will help me drop those birdie putts!
ITG: LPGA Tour players earn far less than PGA Tour players, do you think there should be more equality in prize money between men and women?
SEEMA: I do! Tiger Woods needs to host an LPGA event and help us 🙂
ITG: What’s on your iPod right now?
SEEMA: Michael Jackson!
ITG: When I become a star on the LPGA Tour, I’m going to….
SEEMA: Build my own golf academy in India. I want to help all the children get involved in the most amazing sport that gives us unbelievable opportunities.
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