Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 55, February 2014 | Page 16

Running and Sport

Setting
the Pace
SA pro golfer Lee-Anne Pace marked last year with
three emphatic wins on the Ladies European Tour,
bringing her victory count to eight since 2010. She
sat down with Modern Athlete to chat about how
endurance training helps her game, and where her
sporting discipline comes from.
– BY LAUREN VAN DER VYVER

I

n 2013, Lee-Anne took honours at the Turkish
Airlines Ladies Open, Madrid’s Open de Espana and the
Sanya Ladies Open in China. The humble athlete from
Wellington in the Boland was also voted the Player’s
Player of the Year by her fellow professionals, while
back home her efforts were also recognised with a
nomination for Sportswoman of the Year at the South
African Sports Awards. She finished the year in 53rd
place on the world rankings list and second on the
Order of Merit money list for the year, and attributes her
success to the great support she receives. “It’s about
focus and the continuous support from my coach and
family that made my season. Support in South Africa is
growing, so hopefully ladies will take to the sport more!”

FINDING THE FAIRWAY

Images: Courtesy Lee-Anne Pace

Lee-Anne remembers playing caddy for her dad on
weekends for extra pocket money while growing up,
learning the game along the way. “I hit some balls when
everyone finished playing and someone mentioned
to my dad that I had a natural talent. I never looked
back!” She continued to play when she moved to B