Tag: Interview

Interview With The Golf Channel’s Win McMurry

If you watch the Golf Channel, you are no doubt familiar with the beautiful and talented Win McMurry. She appears on several shows and throughout the day during tournament coverage. And if you don’t watch the Golf Channel – What’s wrong with you!?

Win McMurry joined the Golf Channel in early 2010. She anchors studio updates during the Golf Channel’s tournament coverage, hosts Top Shelf Wednesdays & PGA Tour Primetime, reports for Golf Central, serves as a contributor on the Grey Goose 19th Hole and more. Her presence in studio has added a youthful energy to the usual cast of characters, and anyone that has seen her on the air knows that her smile can stop traffic.

Before joining the Golf Channel, McMurry worked for PGA TOUR Entertainment. She was the producer and host of PGA Tour Today, Monday Backspin and Morning Movers on PGATour.com, as well as being a feature reporter & interviewer during “LIVE@” remotes for the PGA Tour. She also worked for CBS Sports in New York City, which took her all across North America as a production assistant for the network’s coverage of the PGA Tour. When not on the road with CBS Sports, McMurry worked for two years in Manhattan as a field producer at WCBS-TV, covering various news and sporting events for Channel 2 News.

Win McMurry attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the School of Journalism and Mass Communication with a second major in communication studies. She also holds a post-graduate certificate in Business from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at UNC, and still cheers her beloved UNC Tarheels!

Win is currently a brand ambassador for Birdy & Grace, a woman’s clothing company that is known for its classic, feminine designs. Win was on hand at the 2011 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando helping Birdy & Grace launch their second annual “Golf Woman of the Year” contest in which they are looking for a woman who best represents a passion for golf, family,community and healthy living. The contest runs through June 1, 2011 and the winner will be announced on July 1, 2011. For more information about the contest or to enter or nominate someone, visit their website at www.birdyandgrace.com and on Facebook.

We caught up to Win McMurry at the PGA Show and she was gracious enough to give us a few minutes of her time for this interview, which wasn’t easy will all the people walking by asking for pictures with her! So, without further ado, lets get right to the interview!

How did you get started in golf? Has your career always been around the game?

I was first exposed to golf through my dad who is an avid golfer, but like most kids, I was interested in many sports growing up. It wasn’t until high school that I actually began devoting time to the game. I played on my high school golf team in Wilmington, NC and loved being a part of the team, although I was nowhere near the most talented player on the team. After I graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a double major in journalism and communication studies, I moved to New York City. There I worked in research for CBS Sports and as a field producer for WCBS-TV. Working for CBS I helped cover many different sports, but ultimately began traveling with their golf crew, and from there the rest is history! I spent much of 2007 traveling from tournament to tournament with CBS. I was looking to transition from the production side to reporting on-camera and I found an opportunity for that at the PGA TOUR. I signed-on to work for them starting in 2008 and reported for pgatour.com for two years. In 2010 I moved to the Golf Channel where I am so happy to be today!

Who was your favorite golfer growing up?

I’d have to say it was Davis Love III because he was a Carolina boy! But Fred Couples is right up there as well. He’s just so cool. I still love watching him play!

Have you always wanted to be a journalist or did you have other plans?

When I was really young I wanted to go to Julliard and become a professional ballerina. As I got older, that dream changed. In school English was my best (and favorite) subject and my mother is an author, so writing is in my blood. I knew going into UNC that I would major in journalism, but I wasn’t sure what area I wanted to pursue under that umbrella. I tried my hand in public relations, but after two internships in PR, I knew that wasn’t for me. I took a sports reporting class my senior year and knew that was the direction I wanted to go.

So, how’s your golf game these days, and do you get to play much?

I play as often as I can. Some weeks more than others, but usually I get out on the golf course twice a week. My game is coming along, but I don’t plan on trying to tee it up on the LPGA Tour anytime soon…or ever for that matter!

Time for the inside scoop! Who’s the biggest joker/prankster at the Golf Channel?

Hands down it’s Charlie Rymer. He’s the same around the office/newsroom as he is in the studio. He’s lost twenty pounds over the last few months so most of the jokes revolve around food and Nutrisystem these days!

What is your current role at the Golf Channel? (What shows are you on, travel, etc) Currently I anchor Golf Central Updates which air throughout live golf coverage Thursdays through Sundays. I also host PGA Tour Primetime which airs on Thursday and Friday nights. I am a contributor on the Grey Goose 19th Hole on Wednesday nights live from 7:30-8 ET. And I also host Top Shelf Wednesdays, which are short interview segments that I conduct throughout the night on Wednesday. I have also reported for Golf Central and for Golf in America. New in 2011 I am also the fashion reporter for golfchannel.com. People only see you and other personalities on the air, but how much work goes into the job behind the scenes? For example, how much research might go into a 30 minute show? It depends on the show! But for a Grey Goose 19th Hole it is a day-long process to prepare for the live half-hour. I am usually in the office at 10:30 a.m. reading through the show rundown and researching any topic I may need to look into. In the early afternoon we have a production meeting where we talk through the show. We work throughout the day writing our scripts. Make-up takes about an hour as well, so it’s definitely a process! What’s the hardest thing about being a TV personality? Luckily I love my job! At first it’s a little challenging getting used to having a producer in your ear counting down and cueing you with certain information while speaking and maintain your train of thought simultaneously. But after a while that becomes normal. I think in general it’d be learning to have thick skin to go along with a good sense of humor. Sometimes you’ll come across an article about you or an uncomplimentary post on the internet and you just have to brush it off and in some cases make light of it! How many weeks per year do you travel, and do you like going on the road? With Golf Channel most of my work is done in the studio. But I anticipate traveling this year to maybe five events or so. I’d love to start traveling more! Do you have any companies/charities/causes you want to promote while you have a chance? I recently became a brand ambassador for Birdy & Grace, a womens' golf clothing line that I absolutely love. They have very wearable pieces that can transition from the golf course to the Golf Channel studio, so it is a wonderful fit. I also am a supporter of the St. Jude Children’s Hospital and I have worked with the Alzheimer’s Association and Autism Speaks. Where do you see yourself in 10 years? In ten years I see myself still reporting on golf or on a news and lifestyle show and hopefully with a family of my own. I’m focusing this year on preparing to hold an anchor role on Golf Central. If you could retire tomorrow, where would you go, and what would you do? I’d love to take a trip like the author Elizabeth Gilbert did for her book Eat, Pray, Love. I would love to go back to Italy, maybe in place of India go to South Africa, and I’d love to see Bali & Thailand and that area of the world as well! Of course I’d like to play golf at every destination! Who’s the person to contact at the Golf Channel to get them to wise up and give you your own show? Haha! Thanks for requesting one! I’d love to host my own show one day. Any ideas what the show should be about? We are sure that whatever the show is about, she'll do a great job and people will love to watch. I personally would love to see her co-host a Big Break series or an in-depth interview show like the one Peter Kessler used to host called Golf Talk Live. I think her charm and easy-going personality would allow her guests to really open up, which is part of what makes for a great interview. You can follow Win's updates on Twitter, and of course on the air almost every day at The Golf Channel!
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February 4, 2011
Interview With Elena Robles – Big Break Dominican Republic Contestant

Elena “Lani” Robles has been a contestant on the Golf Channel’s Big Break series twice, with her first appearance being earlier this year on Big Break Sandals Resorts with fellow contestants Carling Coffing and Seema Sadekar. Elena was the first golfer eliminated, but this is no way indicative of her skill as a golfer. Sometimes the bounces just don’t go your way, especially on a show like the Big Break where your survival may depend on a single swing. She handled the defeat with grace and a positive outlook and the producers of the next Big Break in the Dominican Republic must have taken notice, because she was selected to be a part of the show again, who’s final episode aired tonight (11/30/2010) on the Golf Channel at 9 pm.

Elena was gracious enough to spend a few minutes with me to answer some questions about life as a professional golfer and keep us all up to date on her off course ventures. Enjoy!

ITG: Did your week at LPGA Q-School differ from your expectations of the event?

Elena: Well, this was my first try at LPGA q school and it was a very good learning experience. I knew I wasn’t quite ready for the LPGA yet, but I discussed it with my coaches and family and we thought that it would be a good experience for me to go out and play to get a good feel of what I need to do for next year. I learned so much about myself and what I do under the gun. This is thus far my biggest event and I am very excited to play in future events and work on what I learned at q school.

ITG: How long have you been playing golf, and how did you get your start?

Elena: I have been playing golf since I was a freshman in high school. I started kind of late, I just went to a driving range with my dad and a local pro came up to my dad and told him he should get me some lessons and that I had a natural talent. Its been history since. I was a competitive figure skater before I started to golf.

ITG: When did you know you wanted to be a professional golfer?

Elena: I have always thought about it since I started playing but it wasn’t until I took a year off from the sport after graduating college that I realized my dream of playing on the LPGA tour.

ITG: You have appeared on the Golf Channel’s Big Break series twice now. What can you tell people about the experience that we may not know from watching it on TV?

Elena: All I can say is whoa pressure. I have NEVER experienced anything like BB pressure, ever. I used to watch the show and make fun of the people that couldn’t get a short chip shot in the circle but then when I played in my first challenge on BBS I realized how dumb I was for thinking like that. It was the craziest nerves I have ever felt, but good nerves and I loved every second.

ITG: Has being on the Big Break (Twice!) changed your career? If so, in what way?

Elena: Being in Big Break Sandals was awesome but being gone on the first show, I didn’t get to experience the whole thing like the other girls. Now that I have been blessed with this second opportunity on BBDR, I am very excited to have a new and unknown journey ahead of me filled with new and amazing opportunities. I am very grateful for the wonderful opportunities that I have been given to me thus far, and I wouldn’t have gotten them without being on the shows. I am so thankful for the golf channel and the fact that they choose me to come back and I am very excited for what the future holds.

ITG: Are you involved in any charities or business ventures off the course?

Elena: Right now I am in the process of starting my own foundation that will link to my website and allow my fans to match or beat my donation for every birdie I make in 2011 to an organization of my choosing(I will announce later ;)). I am looking for some financial sponsors to make this dream of mine come true so please contact me thru my website with any inquires (www.elenarobles.com).

I recently became part of an amazing company called Play Golf Designs run by two of my friends and fellow professional golfers Nisha and Seema Sedakar (Big Break Sandals). This company aims at improving women’s golf positively and represents the game of golf with poise, style and personality. Play Golf Designs is comprised of a player organization with the most beautiful and talented female professionals in the world, we do events across the country, growing the notoriety of women’s golf and I am so excited and honored to work with them and be a part of their company!

ITG: How difficult is it financially, physically and mentally to play professional golf?

Elena: I think the only thing holding me back right now is the financial aspect of the game. I work 3 jobs on top of working out and maintaining my game in order to pay for my own events. I am only able to play like 5-8 events a year because I pay for everything on my own, so it makes it extremely tough to be successful. I am determined to make my dreams come true and I will do anything I have to, to play golf. I am looking for financial sponsors to help me gain the luxury of competing on a weekly basis. I have done a great job of competing against girls that play full time but I feel the only thing lacking in my successes is the fact that I don’t get the competitive experience and rhythm by being able to play every week and travel to play on the different mini tours. As far as the mental aspect the situation I just mention leads to issues sometimes. I deal with not thinking about if this event is going to be my last event because the money isn’t there. I am working very hard on my mental game and I am confident that things will all fall into place.

I would like to add that I am working on this with my good friend and sports psychologist James Boykin, the owner and founder of Mental Apex (www.mentalapex.com). I have transformed my mental game thru the power of staying in the process and moment.

ITG: How much time do you spend practicing and working out in a typical week?

Elena: I work out almost everyday, taking days off if I am sore and or playing in an event then I just doing strength conditioning. I practice 5-6 days a week. I think that it is very important to take days off and enjoy life. I usually take Sundays off and go to church and the Farmers Market. I also try to play 2-3 times a week depending on what the week looks like.

ITG: What do you like to do when you aren’t playing golf?

Elena: I love working out and YOGA. I also, love spending time with my puppy Bella and my friends and family. I love music so concerts are one of my favorite things to do, especially if it is an incubus concert, my favorite band!! I also love baseball games and the beach.

ITG: Can you tell us something funny and/or interesting about you that most people don’t know?

Elena: My nickname is Lani, my dad has called me that since I was a baby. Also, I had braces and the headgear the wrapped around my neck and was all metal, haha!!!

ITG: Do you have a website or fan page people can go to follow you?

Elena: www.elenarobles.com and Elena “Lani” Robles Fan page on Facebook! I don’t add anyone I don’t know personally to my personal Facebook account, but you can “like” my fan page, thank you! =)

ITG: What advice can you give to young people who want to follow in your footsteps and become a professional golfer?

Elena: MY biggest advice to young golfers is to follow your dreams and never let anyone tell you; you can’t do it. You can do anything you set your mind to, if you work hard and BELIEVE in yourself. Self belief and confidence is the key to success. I am a great example of overcoming obstacles and coming out on top.

ITG: Who or what has been the biggest influence in your golf career?

Elena: I have a mentor that I owe most of my golfing success too. This person has helped me when I dint know if I was even going to play golf again. Through their inspiration and words of encouragement I have gotten to where I am today. I also grew up watching Annika Sorenstam play golf and she is my idol without a doubt.

ITG: If you could play golf with anyone – past or present – who would be in your foursome? What course would you play?

Elena: My foursome would include: Annika, Fred Couples, Justin Timberlake and myself and we would be playing at Agusta National.

ITG: If you could change any rule in golf, what rule would you change and why?

Elena: I would change the rangefinder rule, I think that it speeds up play and would help tournament speed of play.

ITG: What’s the toughest part about life on tour?

Elena: I think the toughest part about playing golf on the road is living out of your suitcase all the time and being away from home so much. I miss my puppy and my bed.

ITG: What’s the strength of your game? And where do you feel you need to improve?

Elena: I am happy with my game as a whole right now, but If I had to choose one strength it would be my consistency off the tee. I rarely miss a fairway I don’t hit it super far but I am consistent. I think that I need to improve on my completive rhythm and I can only do that by playing in more events. I am an all around solid player just need the opportunity to play full time on the mini tours and to go out and play without any financial weight on my shoulders and dominate.

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?

Elena: I do, but we as female golfers have to bring it. Women’s golf needs to be rebranded and marketed. We need to boost up the femininity and sex appeal of the LPGA and with that we will gain more sponsors which will in turn create bigger purses and more money up for grabs. People watch the PGA tour and they have more money and sponsors because they market the PGA tour correctly focusing on all the young up and coming golfers like Rory McElroy, Ricki Fowler and Jamie Lovemark. The youthfulness and stellar play are bringing in the money on the PGA tour and the LPGA has the stellar play now we just need to change our overall appearance and branding and turn it into something eye catching and representing of who we are as young, talent professional women golfers.

ITG: What’s on your iPod right now?

Elena: INCUBUS is ALWAYS playing but also Rihanna, Justin Timberlake, Carrie Underwood, Lady A, and some Ferry Corsten.

ITG: When I become a star on the LPGA Tour, I’m going to….

Elena: Win majors, donate to my favorite charities and help rebrand the LPGA.

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November 30, 2010
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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September 15, 2010