ATHLETE OF THE WEEK: Manni Newell

Manni Newell is a self-proclaimed golf fanatic. After 15 years of playing with her husband, Doug, her children and her friends, she can think of nothing more fun than being out on the links. Newell recently celebrated her second hole-in-one on hole 7 at the Longboat Key Club’s Harbourside golf course.

With whom on the professional level would you love to play golf?
My dream person on the (PGA) Tour to play golf with is Ernie Els … (On the) female side I’d love to play with Annika (Sorenstam). If I could play with Annika or Ernie Els, those would be definite highlights.

What is the weakest part of your game?
My worst right now is getting off the tee — driving. Terry’s (O’Hara) been teaching me, and we had a bit of a swing change, so that’s difficult, and I’m trying to work on that, because I do feel once I can do what Terry tells me, I’m going to get some yardage and more accuracy.

Can you tell us a little bit about your recent hole-in-one?
I just had a hole-in-one Dec. 17, so you can see how important it was, because I remember the date! My husband and I were playing, and Doug was not having a particularly great day, but on hole 7 on the white course he got on the green and I thought, “Oh great, I’m so happy for him. Maybe he’ll make a birdie.” And I went to hit, and lo and behold if that old ball didn’t go into the hole for a hole-in-one! I mean, I was thrilled. I thought, “Oh, isn’t that silly?” It was great.

What is the best part about playing golf?
… You can play forever. It can be competitive, non-competitive, social — it’s just an amazing game. I really, really love this game.

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