Alexandra BONETTI
Golfer

Alexandra received a scholarship to finance her participation in international competitions.

What is your sporting background ?
I started golf at the age of seven thanks to my parents. I debuted in the French team at the age of 15 and I played in many international competitions. In particular, I won the British Girls’ Championship, the French Women's Championship and the European Team Championship for girls and women. I have had the official status of "top-level sports person" since 2008. After obtaining my Baccalauréat, I decided to settle at the Pôle France in Toulouse for a year so that I could devote myself totally to golf and improve my English, before joining the American TCU university in the best possible conditions in August 2011. Thanks to my level of golf, I was awarded a scholarship to play and study at the university for four years. I was able to discover courses all over the USA and thus prepare myself optimally for the variety of courses played on the LPGA. 

How do you see your profession today ?
Being passionate about this sport, I consider the fact that I can live my passion every day as a real opportunity. I wouldn't dream of being in any other profession, it's the most beautiful one in my opinion. Having been in the USA for four years, I have seen the huge difference between women's golf here and in Europe. As it is, women's golf gets very little support in Europe. In the USA, there is a large fanbase and it is lovely to be in an environment like that. But overall, I find that this profession is not yet recognised for its true value and I am sure that it will evolve thanks to the work done by all the players, be it physical, technical or mental, to perform better and better and make the spectacle more impressive. 

How do you see yourself in 5 years ? In 10 years ?
In 5 years, I see myself performing on the LPGA, competing with the best and representing France at the Olympic Games. In 10 years, number one in the world with several participations in the Solheim Cup.

This interview was conducted in 2014
Photo credit: Emilie Arfeuil