It’s safe to say that golf may not be the most widely followed sport around the world. Youngsters are known for seeing it as a little more on the slower side of life, while the older folks tend to take it a lot more seriously. All parties should be convinced when getting acquainted with gold pro-Paige Spiranac, who has been turning heads since the first time she struck a ball on the course. Here are some of the best moments of her career so far.
The Many Times Paige Spiranac Reminded Us That Golf Can Be A Lot Of Fun
Introducing Paige
Long time fans will already know that Paige started playing golf as a child. Her decision to pursue it at the collegiate level at San Diego State University was a welcome one, encouraged by her parents and friends, as she had been developing her skills for years. There was no doubt that she could make it to the highest levels of the sport, and her athletic gift deserved the right appreciation. But no one could have predicted how brightly Paige would one day shine.
Introducing Paige
Amateur Status
It’s safe to say that Paige was a force to be reckoned with at the collegiate level right from the get-go. Between 2012 and 2014, she was awarded the All-Mountain West Conference honors. She was also a crucial part of leading the university team to their first-ever title in women’s golf at the same event. Paige was handling every challenge that was thrown her way with a queenly kind of grace and intelligence, not to mention power.
Amateur Status
Rising Star
Paige gained some notoriety early in her career for posting trick shots on her Instagram account, which set her up nicely for the large following she has grown as her career has progressed. While many more traditional golfers would say that this was a cheap way to get attention, few of them could do the things that Paige was capable of - not even close. Today, she is considered one of the top golfing personalities on social media.
Rising Star
Teaching Fans
You’ll be one of the few people who are missing out if you haven’t checked out her Instagram page to date. Give her a follow if you’re interested in getting helpful golf tips and tricks, especially from someone who is breathtakingly beautiful. While Paige is certainly easy on her eyes, she has kindly provided a thorough manual on how to go from a beginner to a competent player in an enjoyable and efficient way, all for free!
Teaching Fans
Who’s Keeping Score?
On Instagram alone, Paige has amassed a massive audience including people from all over the world. On this platform alone, she has over two million followers already and counting. But who’s keeping score, anyway? Her beefy social media presence is just one of her many phenomenal achievements, and she is not in it for the fame in any case. This is a complex and soulful person that cannot be understood through one facet. It takes time to appreciate the full wonder that is Paige Spiranac!
Whos Keeping Score
Formative Years
Paige was born on March 26th, 1993 to a family line of Croatian descent. If you had wondered where her interesting surname came from - there you have it! While she was born in a place called Wheat Ridge, she ended up being raised in a neighboring town called Monument, which is also in the Colorado area. She was raised in the perfect notion of the American Dream, with a loving and supportive family and group of friends.
Formative Years
Pursuing Other Passions
While living in Monument, Paige pursued other passions, including gymnastics. She had early ambitions to become an Olympic athlete, even skipping level 6 when she got the opportunity to visit the Karolyi Ranch to train. But despite her unusual talent for this sport, there was one other which she would be even better at. It must have been incredibly sad having to leave gymnastics behind, but everyone has a higher calling. Life had other plans for this talented youngster.
Pursuing Other Passions
Open To Change
As fate would have it, a twice-broken kneecap would end her Olympic gymnastic dreams at the young age of just twelve years old. This was an agonizing injury which made it clear that her time as a gymnast would need to come to and. Having put so much work into this passion, we imagine that it wasn’t the easiest for her to navigate a possible change in her dream and future. What else could Paige throw her mind, body, and soul into?
Open To Change
Injuries Aside, Change Was Necessary
Getting injured was a part of the sport, but there were other factors that helped make the decision to leave the sport a little easier. Bullying still plays a major part of young athletes and their formative years, especially as they usually don’t spend as much time at school as everyone else. It seemed like the alienation only grows worse the longer a student becomes involved in their sport of choice. For Paige, it was no different.
Injuries Aside Change Was Necessary
The Sanctuary of Solitude
Not one to be kept down for too long, Paige decided to turn to golf as soon as she recovered from her injuries. While the two sports may be completely different in their execution, Paige would come to enjoy the personally appreciated similarities. What was there to golf that captured Paige's passion? She loved the isolation and solitude of golf in a similar fashion to gymnastics, which would eventually lead her to an entirely different path in life.
The Sanctuary Of Solitude
Training Amplified
At that time, Paige was splitting her time between Scottsdale in Arizona, and her home in Colorado. This was to give her the best chance to keep training, which included her starting homeschooling. You might think that a child would feel an intense sense of dread being taken away from their friends, but not Paige. She enjoyed being alone, after all, and longed to get away from everyone. This would also help resolve some of the bullyings she was facing.
Training Amplified
Junior Tour Success
In her first seven junior golf tournaments, Paige Spiranac ended up winning an impressive five of them. Everyone was wondering who this mysterious blonde beauty was that had almost cleared the competition out. Each was spread across the state of Colorado, including the Connecticut Women’s Golf Association Junior Stroke Playback Championships, which she ended up winning back in 2010. Certainly, Paige's professional career was off to an incredible start, and she showed an incredibly promising aptitude for the most trying leagues.
Junior Tour Success
Taking Things Up a Notch
While playing for San Diego State during her college years, Paige did end up spending some time at another university for a short while, largely in part due to her being granted a scholarship. When you shine this brightly in the sporting world, even at a junior level, you can bet that many universities will invite you in. The University of Arizona was her university of choice for a little while, although San Diego stayed home in the long run.
Taking Things Up A Notch
First Things First
When Paige started university, she spent her freshman year only playing in three events for the Wildcats. The training was still front of mind, and she had her sights set on the LPGA. Paige had already developed professional diligence and industriousness. She had her eyes firmly set on the prize, and nothing could distract her, not even the freedoms of the young adult experience. During that year, her best score was 73, which happened twice in her collegiate days.
First Things First
Change of Scenery
During her sophomore year, Paige transferred to San Diego State largely because she was looking for a change of scenery. She wasn't one to remain in any place for too long and wanted to get as much out of her budding career as possible. This would be a telling move and she would find her groove in the new location while maintaining a rigorous training schedule as well. She had finally found the ideal environment for her ambitions.
Change Of Scenery
First Taste of Success
The 2012/2013 season saw Paige achieve some great results of the course, which started to put her on the map. Earning honors at the University for her involvement in the first team that year, she also started playing at higher level events. She came in fifth at the Cal Classic, sixth at the Mountain West Championships, and even participated at the NCAA Central Regional Championships that year too. These were impressive results for someone so young.
First Taste Of Success
Junior Year Results
Things showed no signs of slowing down during her junior year, where she continued these steadily improving results, even earning honors from the University for a second time. She was clearly on an upward trajectory and nobody was going to stop her from achieving her goals. Paige's progression had suffered its fair share of obstacles, of course, but she managed to sweep them aside each time without losing momentum. Only a natural disaster could halt her ambitions!
Junior Year Results
Paige Arrives on the Scene
A top ten finish at the Mountain West Championship in her junior year really shone a light on the young talent, and scouts started to take notice. Many of her future rivals also began to take note of this young woman who was making such dazzling waves in the game. This was a defining moment of her career, and one she looks back on fondly. She could never have known what incredible developments lay ahead at the time.
Paige Arrives On The Scene
Thank You, Colorado
Paige by no means left her final year in university without making a splash. This would be the year where she would wrap up the season by being a part of the team that led San Diego State to win their first-ever Mountain West Conference Championship. Even with the enormous pressure on her shoulders, Paige's confidence and clear-headedness were unshaken and she played with her usual power and precision. This was one for the history books!
Thank You Colorado
Walking With Her Head Held High
Paige certainly ended her college career with a bang. She called being a part of the winning teams one of the happiest moments of her life, little knowing that she would soon start having many more victorious moments as part of her pro career. The good times had only just begun for Paige, and she had just opened many doors to all manner of phenomenal opportunities. But which of these doors would she end up choosing?
Walking With Her Head Held High
Lucky Number 100
In July of 2015, the Colorado Golf Association held its centennial Match Play Championship at Raccoon Creek. This was a higher tier tournament, where Paige would be tested against a field of the best in the region. She knew that the players here would be on a completely different level than she had faced during college. She could not pretend like she was nervous of the odds stacked against her, but her independent personality and confidence carried her through her doubts.
Lucky Number 100
Taking Home The Win
If you’re curious about how she did at the prestigious event, wonder no more. In a 35 hole title match against Brittany Fan, Paige ended the course with an astounding nine under par result. It would have been hard for anyone to beat that, and she took home the win. Even Paige was blown away by her own performance, one which had topped all of her previous ones. This next stage of her career had started off with a bang.
Taking Home The Win
All Eyes on Paige
You would think that her golf results would have started to get her more attention online, but alas, an article in Total Frat Move in 2015 would catapult her to social media stardom. Sitting below 10 000 followers on Instagram at that time, when the article went public, her following increased to 100 000 in just 48 hours. Everyone wanted to know who this fabulous newcomer to the big league was, including many people that didn't even follow golf. Star power indeed!
All Eyes On Paige
Turning Pro
2016 would be a year to remember, and Paige will also hold it dear to her as it was when she officially turned pro. Competing at her first major event, she placed 9th and took home nearly $2000. This would be the start of great things for the young star as she transcended from a capable amateur into a recognized professional. But she would still need to prove herself several more times before true glory would be attained.
Turning Pro
A View To Towards The Future
With a crucial first win under her belt at the Scottsdale Orange Tree Country Club, Paige Spiranac is a popular golfer that always has an eye on the future and her next event. Her career is not only grounded on a great golfing ability, but her social media following has given her the chance to be recognized around the world as a mascot for the sport, which doesn’t often get a lot of attention or appreciation.
A View To Towards The Future
Paige +1?
To everyone hoping for a shot with Paige in the near future, she’s taken, unfortunately, after meeting her fiance Steven Tinoco at a meet and greet. He decided he wasn’t going to let the opportunity pass him by, and he asked her out over Instagram the next day. A minor league baseball player and personal trainer, the pair make a mean team when it comes to staying in shape and live together in Arizona at the moment.
Paige Plus 1
If You Liked It Then You Should’ve…
After just a couple of dates, Paige and Steven knew that they wanted to be with each other forever. Their chemistry had flowed so naturally, and it was quickly turning into something electrifying. Paige credits his gentlemanly skills, like opening doors and bringing flowers, as the first signs that he was a keeper. Just a few weeks into dating, he got down on one knee and proposed to her while they were together in Dubai. How romantic!
If You Liked It Then You Shouldve
A Tennis Star?
When her gymnastics ambitions ended, Paige turned to golf, as well as another sport. As it turns out, her aunt was a pro player who wanted to give her lessons. This would prove to be an enjoyable but short-lived distraction. After a short while, and as her interest in golf grew, she knew that it wasn’t the sport for her, and she pursued golf full-time instead. If her aunt was disappointed at the time, she certainly is nothing but proud today.
A Tennis Star
Powerhouse Athlete Idol
While there isn’t a golfer that Paige looks up to so to speak, she’s publicly spoken about her admiration of athlete Ronda Rousey. Using terms like “superwoman” and “role model”, it’s clear that Paige has hopes of following in her successful footsteps during the course of her career. Paige and Ronda are similar in that they have broken down many barriers in their respective sports, even if the only time that one gets hit in golf is by a stray golf ball or angrily tossed club.
Powerhouse Athlete Idol
Smooth Sailing (For The Most Part)
While playing at a tournament in Dubai, Paige suffered a slight setback in the competition. She checked her cellphone out of pure habit during the course of her round, and she was caught by the judges. We would love to know what was so incredibly important that Paige could not wait to check her phone until the game ended. She was immediately docked a few points, unable to play in the next round. Lesson learned!
Smooth Sailing
Tweeps Love Paige
Paige has also grown her Twitter following and from glancing at her timeline you can tell that her quirky comments are appreciated by fans from around the globe. She recently tweeted about her golf podcast and even joked that she wanted people to listen as it is an uphill battle to share tips when you’re known for showing cleavage on Instagram. Jokes aside, you should follow Paige on Twitter if you want some brutally honest humor and opinions. She is always shooting from the hip!
Tweeps Love Paige
Must Love Dogs
From a quick glance at her Instagram feed, it’s clear that Paige loves dogs, with a particular affinity for puppies. There are a bunch of posts including the “puppy love” caption, which showcases her own dog, which she has had since he was very little. When you were as isolated as Paige was as a child, with few real friends, you can bet that animals will become your preferred and beloved companions. If only she could have her pooch as her caddie!
Must Love Dogs
Sticks and Stones
Paige has spoken openly about receiving hateful messages and calls, largely due to people protesting her outfit choices. She was told to “kill herself” by one caller just because of the tight outfits she wears. Speaking of the incident, Paige mentions she felt harassed, with her family being embarrassed in the process too. While Paige's light outfits may be unusual for the traditionally masculine sport, she puts them together with nothing but her own comfort and confidence in mind.
Sticks And Stones
An Introvert At Heart
While it may come as a surprise to long-time fans, as it turns out, Paige is very shy in front of the camera. You might not be surprised by this fact given her independence and lone wolf-like background. In fact, when she first started a Youtube channel, this was a way to overcome her fear of public speaking. Teaching others about the sport she loves has become a passion, and something she could only do in recent years.
An Introvert At Heart
A Cause Close To Her
Paige is no stranger to bullies, be they in-person, or online. Knowing she has good influence online, she uses her presence to promote CyberSmile, an anti-bullying group. This stems from her childhood experiences, and because she is on a mission to help others to deal with bullying, as it can have increasingly detrimental effects on their mental health over time. Other than her obvious achievements on the green, this is perhaps her worthiest accomplishment to date.
A Cause Close To Her
Close Contract
Paige recently signed a deal with the biggest publication in her sport, Golf Digest. This had nothing to do with her time on the pitch, but more with her public image and the way she was helping to bring a new audience to the sport. Apparently, it was her outfits that drove traffic to their site, so it didn’t take long for them to put a deal on the table. There would be many more endorsements to come!
Close Contract
A Never Give Up Attitude
As you’ll know by now, Paige is already engaged. As it turns out, superfans are undeterred by this. She still receives daily gifts from fans and propositions from Instagram followers. This has happened more times than she can count, apparently. Boys, unfortunately, you’re too late! Well, some men like to keep their fantasies alive in a rather practical way, even if it means stressing Paige's partner out! This is all fine as long as it remains harmless.
A Never Give Up Attitude
Eye of the Tiger
It’s not what you know, but who you know. Paige has rubbed shoulders with the best of the industry, including Tiger Woods, who taught her some tips to improve her chipping game. Posting a photo of the encounter online, she referenced that her “life is complete” and that the encounter had brought about a very positive change from within her. You can bet that her winning attitude would attract many top stars in the game.
Eye Of The Tiger
Wedding Bells On Hold
If your heart nearly jumped out of your chest thinking that you may still stand a chance with Paige, then we have bad news for you. Sorry guys, this is not because it won’t be happening. It’s just that the wedding won’t be happening anytime soon. Choosing to keep this part of her life private, it isn’t clear why the four-year engagement still hasn’t led to a walk down the aisle, but you can be sure that Paige will be fairly tight-lipped about it until pictures of the ceremony are shared online.
Wedding Bells On Hold
It Runs In The Family
Paige has a couple of athletes in the family, so perhaps her knack for sports is something that has been passed on from generation to generation. Good genes certainly help when you are aiming for the top of your field. Her father played College Football, even winning an NCAA championship in his career. Her mom trained as a professional ballerina, which takes stamina and endurance. Her older sister is known for leaving competitors in the dust on the track. Talk about an athletic bunch!
It Runs In The Family
Medical Challenges
Even before she played a professional sport, Paige suffered from a couple of medical challenges, including severe asthma, allergies, and even a condition affecting her hair. You might not guess that the golf champ was in anything but top shape when looking at her. This would all add to her bullying challenges at school, which she was to overcome later. Kids have a nasty habit of picking on people with serious medical conditions, but Paige managed to brave it through it all.
Medical Challenges
You Can’t Please Everyone
While she has a steady following of millions of people online, there are a couple of trolls who don’t like what they see. You can be sure that whenever a beautiful woman rises to dizzying heights that misogynists will have plenty to say. Many people are unaware of her journey with Golf, and that it was something she pursued from a young age. Some commentators assume she is in it for the fashion only, even berating her for breaking with more traditional outfits that are appropriate on the course.
You Cant Please Everyone
A Lifelong Dream
Right from the start, Paige wanted to be a role model for young girls from all walks of life. She often speaks about a willingness to get more women to play the sport, which has been traditionally male-dominated over the years. It’s a challenge she faces each day, changing minds one person at a time. Women like Paige play a crucial role within professional sports of all kinds, breaking down barriers and proving that anyone can be good at the game that they play.
A Lifelong Dream
Sports Illustrated Certified
It should come as no surprise that Paige has graced the cover of Sports Illustrated. In 2018, she got her shot, and needless to say, she left a lasting impression on everyone at the shoot. Unlike a lot of women who have been offered cover shoots, she showed up with her sports gear, insistent that it wouldn’t just be about the way she looked. Very few golfers have ever appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated, and Paige was a pioneer in this field in more ways than one.
Sports Illustrated Certified
Spiranac The Author
Paige is not just talented on the green, however, as she has proven herself to be a more than competent writer, too. Part of the many tricks under Paige’s belt includes being a columnist for Golf Magazine - a gig that started in December 2018. The column is still going strong and showcases that she is more than just an Instagram star or Golf aficionado. This is a woman with more brains than people often give her credit for.
Spiranac The Author
Deals, Deals, and More Deals
With four endorsement deals and counting, Paige is slowly becoming a powerhouse influencer in the Golf world. Ongoing deals include her agreement with CyberSmile, 18Birdies, Mizzen + Main as well as Philip Stein Watches. Her Golf Digest and Sports Illustrated shoot certainly helped to amplify these endorsements to a mainstream audience. While many opinionated critics within the sports have made plenty of detracting comments about Paige, even they cannot deny how much she has done for golf.
Deals Deals And More Deals
PXG or Bust
Back in 2017, Paige further enhanced her influencer empire by signing a deal with PXG, commonly known as Parsons Xtreme Golf. She has a couple of objectives tied to this particular endorsement, including promoting healthy living, inspiring women, growing public attention to the game, as well as something she has always held dear to her heart - raising awareness for anti-bullying. Her personal interests always take a backseat to the greater good she strives to establish.
PXG Or Bust
World Record Holder
When Paige paired up with her fiance Steve, as well as PGA star Tony Finau, in order to break a Guinness World Record, nobody thought it would happen. They were going for the trick-shot record, which is a competitive category. This was a pioneering effort that few in the game have ever tried to beat. While being filmed by Golfweek, they beat it by one catch, causing the excited crowds to erupt as well as solidifying their names in the history books.
World Record Holder
Hitting The Airwaves
Early in 2020, Paige decided to try her hands at broadcasting, launching her first-ever podcast called “Playing-A-Round”. Her first episode was called ‘Teeing Off’, and was a hit with her fans, who can happily listen to her honeyed voice for hours. Even if these listeners are not that interested in golf in the first place, you can bet that they will be soon. Never one to settle down, Paige continues to explore new avenues for revenue and places to grow her presence.
Hitting The Airwaves
YouTube Star In The Making
Having made her mark in the podcast industry, Paige then turned her attention to YouTube stardom.When Paige started her YouTube channel, she wanted to target lifestyle, fitness, and golf-related content. These can range from basic tips, all the way through to recipes and new ways for you to maintain your fitness. Her best performing video has nearly a million views, and her audience has grown to over 100k followers in a short space of time. Onwards and upwards!
YouTube Star In The Making
Let The Money Talk
Although Paige doesn’t make much money from golfing, she does earn a lucrative salary from all her endorsement deals. In 2016, she made nearly $2000 in a golf competition, which is but a drop in the ocean compared to her earnings from social media, fashion brands, and more. Paige might have a big altruistic angle in all her projects, but she certainly profits greatly from her expansive efforts. She has successfully solidified various incomes, all of them handsome.
Let The Money Talk
A Hunger To Compete
In early 2020, Paige participated in the Genesis Invitational golf tournament in Los Angeles, California. Although the competition was stiff, she held her ground and told reporters she was happy to be out on the course again. She felt completely refreshed being able to step back onto the green and do her thing. You can bet that she had plenty of pent up energy that she released with a rousing performance. Paige is back in the game!
A Hunger To Compete
Size Matters
While many athletes are known for their height, which often helps them dominate in their field, Paige isn’t one of those people. While not particularly short relative to the average woman, she’s no Amazon. At just 1.68m (5’5”), she isn’t considered to be a medical marvel, but her good genes have allowed her to branch out her fields of interest in a significant way. As you can see from the picture below, her musculature makes up for her height difference.
Size Matters
Queen of Her Own Domain
Paige has her own domain, which can be found at www.paigespiranac.com. On the official website, she calls herself a rising golf talent, media personality, and influencer. We love how she put her mission: she wants to show everyone how much fun golf can be, while continuing to make a positive contribution around the world, wherever possible for her to do so. Paige is the kind of athlete that is more focused on living her life to the fullest than stressing about being the best at what she does.
Queen Of Her Own Domain