Tour News
Q&A with Chelsea Pezzola, the newest Instagram star in pro golf
Using beauty, fashion, a keen eye for photography and some serious golf skill, a new breed of golfers have caught the attention of the national media, and more importantly, tournament sponsors who issue special tournament exemptions. Paige Spiranac has become the most famous female golfer to employ the social-media-fueled strategy, and she surely won’t be the last.
Chelsea Pezzola, a former University of Michigan golfer who recently caught the attention of Playboy and Maxim at the ESPYs and has amassed 26,000 followers on Instagram with just 300 posts, is following in Spiranac’s footsteps.
Pezzola is teeing it up at the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters this week, and our Andrew Tursky caught up with her to discuss tournament preparation, what’s in her bag, her newly found media attention and the benefits of social media in growing the game.
Andrew Tursky: When did you start playing golf, and when did you begin realizing you could play professionally?
Chelsea Pezzola: I actually started playing golf when I was 5. My step dad got me into the game, and I started on a little par-3 course in Yardley, Pennsylvania. As I grew older, I started getting involved in more junior golf programs, and eventually my parents uprooted and we moved to Bradenton, Florida, where I went to IMG Academies. During that time I was competing against some of the world’s greatest players, from all around the world… that’s kind of when I realized that this is not only my passion and my love, but something I wanted to do career wise. Going through college, I had a really strong focus, and I was focused on my schooling and my academics. I became part of the Michigan Sport Business Conference, which was the first ever student-run Sports Business Conference. And in talking to all the speakers that we hosted, every single one of them said, “Follow your dreams, follow your passions, go pro, the jobs will wait.” Hearing that security, it really made me realize that I can’t turn down this passion and I really want to pursue it after college and give it my all.
AT: Did your parents uproot because of your golf career. Is that why you moved down to Florida?
CP: Yes. They were fortunate enough at the time they could both work out of the office remote, so they moved down to Bradenton for me, and then I went to IMG and they ended up just staying because who doesn’t love the Florida weather?
AT: You’re playing in the upcoming Omega Dubai Ladies Masters. How exactly did that come about?
CP: I was very fortunate to be invited by the CEO and Vice Chairman, Mohamed Juma Buamaim, and the entire team at Golf in Dubai. I was offered a sponsorship exemption, and I’m so honored and so thankful and so excited to play. I can’t wait to get over there and experience the culture of Dubai. It’s been No. 1 on my bucket list and to get this invitation to play and be part of such an incredible event I could not be more excited.
AT: What’s the preparation been like for the tournament?
CP: I actually moved out to Scottsdale, Arizona, to train with my coach Dave Yetstead. He’s based out here at TPC Scottsdale. I’ve also been training at Scottsdale National, Bob Parsons’ course out here. So I uprooted out here and we’ve been training for the last couple months really getting ready. We’ve been doing a lot of course work. My game has definitely improved a lot, and it’s feeling really good. I’m just really trying to focus mentally and get ready for a big tournament like this. So I’ve been competing a lot against a lot of players out here, and trying to get mentally strong, and trying to zone in my iron play and hit as many greens as I can.
AT: You mentioned Bob Parsons. What is your relationship with PXG, and are you gaming the clubs?
CP: Yes, I am playing their products. I absolutely love them. Since I switched to PXG, my game has improved tremendously. I cannot say enough good things about their irons, and I just recently got their woods. I’m absolutely loving it. The technology is incredible and the staff there could not be better at helping me get my game to the next level. I think technology is a big part of the game, and when you have the right sticks in your hand it makes everything a lot easier.
AT: Can you take me through the bag? What models of the clubs are you playing, and their shafts?
CP: I have the 0311 irons with the Nippon regular 850 shafts… I’m probably saying that totally wrong. Driver, I’m actually looking right now, I can tell you exactly. I have the 0811X with the Tour AD-DI 5 regular shaft. The woods, I have the newest 0341x with the Kuro Kage TiNi regular shaft.
AT: Thanks. Sorry for nerding out on you there…
CP: No, sorry that I’m saying it wrong. I joke because I love equipment, but I’m just like, I’m going to trust somebody who knows what they’re doing to put it in my hand, and if it feels right, it feels right. And those PXG’s definitely feel right for me.
AT: Switching gears a bit… you don’t hide your love of beauty and fashion on social media. What are your ultimate goals in professional golf, and how is social media helping you achieve those goals?
CP: I think, well, definitely my main goal is to make it to the LPGA, obviously. I’m working really hard to do that. It’s been my dream since I was 5 years old to be out there on the LPGA. At the end of the day, my other goal is to grow the game of women’s golf, and I think that’s where social media comes into play. It helps break down the walls and that exterior barrier of the intimidation of golf, and getting other females involved — and even males involved — via social media, showing them what I’m doing to train and showing them how much fun golf can be and the different environments you can take golf into. Just getting more people involved and growing the game, that’s where social media comes in for me.
AT: Do you see yourself as a role model for young girls? And if so, what’s your message to them?
CP: I try to look at myself as more of an influencer, to really help them get involved and show them the different avenues that they can take to really make it to the next stages. I’m a big believer in everyone brings something unique to the table, and I think you just have to find what that is and embrace it and follow your dreams. My advice to anybody is to be true to themselves and never give up. You get a lot of hate and criticism, but at the end of the day you just have to stay true to who you are and never stop chasing your dreams.
AT: So how did you end up at the ESPY’s, and were you surprised by interest from Maxim and PlayBoy?
CP: Oh yea, I was beyond shocked. I didn’t expect that at all. It’s always been a dream of mine since I was young to go to the ESPY’s. Like I said, it’s a big part of who I am, I love Sports Business, that was my major in college, and I’m so intrigued by all aspects of sport from the business side, to the playing side, to the marketing side, to kind of everything that goes into it. I’ve always really wanted to go to the ESPYs, and I kind of voiced this wish to a couple people, and the next thing you know I open my email to an invitation. And I could not be more thankful and more honored to have been invited, not only as an audience member, but to the red carpet and the body party. I went in just thinking I’d be kinda star struck, and so excited to meet the people I got to meet, I never in a million years expected the media coverage that I had gotten. So that was kinda crazy waking up one morning to all of that. I did not expect it, but it was definitely a really cool experience.
AT: How did you end up getting invited to the ESPYs?
CP: Well, I was fortunate enough to have a family friend that knew somebody inside ESPN, and through Will Helmina, my modeling agency. That was who I got the invitation from.
AT: In the last few years, there’s been a wave of Instagram models making a splash in professional golf. Does it give you encouragement that if golfers like Paige Spiranac can do it, you can too?
CP: Yea definitely. It just shows that there are other avenues. It brings attention to women’s golf, and that’s something golf hasn’t had in the past years as much. I think that’s what she really did and I admire her for that. I admire her for her hard work and dedication, despite all the hate, and criticism that she’s gotten. And it gives inspiration not only to me, but to other young females that are really trying to get involved. And it shows them ways they can get involved, and unique things they can do and ways to kind of show their journey. Like I said, everybody has their own unique path that they’re trying to take, and just by embracing that like Paige has, it shows they can really do it.
AT: Good luck out in Dubai and thanks for the time! Are you nervous for the start?
CP: I definitely think I’m… I’m nervous, you know it’ll be one of the bigger events I’ve played in, like I said I’m really excited and really honored to have this invitation. I really have been working hard, and I’ve done everything I can to prepare, so I’m just ready to go out there and compete. Nerves are never a bad thing. You just have to use them in the right way, so that’s what I’m really working on right now.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
GolfWRX is on site this week in McKinney, Texas, at the 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson (FKA the AT&T Byron Nelson).
Last year at TPC Craig Ranch, Jason Day ended a five-year winless streak. J-Day is in the field again, as are Jordan Spieth, Tom Kim, and Will Zalatoris.
We have our usual assortment of general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums for your perusal. As always, we’ll continue to add links to additional albums as they make their way to us from the Lone Star State.
Check out links to all our photos below.
General Albums
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Monday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #1
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #2
- 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson – Tuesday #3
WITB Albums
- Pierceson Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kris Kim – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- David Nyfjall – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Adrien Dumont de Chassart – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Jarred Jetter – North Texas PGA Section Champ – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Richy Werenski – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Wesley Bryan – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Parker Coody – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Peter Kuest – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Blaine Hale, Jr. – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Kelly Kraft – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Rico Hoey – WITB – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
Pullout Albums
- Adam Scott’s 2 new custom L.A.B. Golf putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Scotty Cameron putters – 2024 CJ Cup Byron Nelson
- Ben Griffin playing Maxfli golf ball
See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans
GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.
As usual, general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums — including some pretty spicy custom putters and headcovers — await your viewing.
Be sure to check back for more photos from the Big Easy, as we’ll continue to update this page with additional galleries throughout the week.
General Albums
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #2
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Alex Fitzpatrick – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Austin Cook – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Alejandro Tosti – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- MJ Daffue – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Nate Lashley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- James Nicholas – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Kevin Streelman – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rasmus Hojgaard – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Tom Whitney – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- SangMoon Bae – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Daniel Berger – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rory McIlroy – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Russ Cochrane – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Aldrich Potgieter – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Steve Stricker WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Drew Brees WITB (Legendary New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Derek Carr (New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Thriston Lawrence WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
Pullout Albums
- MJ Daffue’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Cameron putters – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Swag covers ( a few custom for Nick Hardy) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Custom Bettinardi covers for Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Doug Ghim’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Patrick Cantlay spotted testing a Scotty Cameron blade putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 RBC Heritage
GolfWRX is on site this week at Harbour Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island for the RBC Heritage. Plenty of golfers who competed in the Masters last week will be making the quick turnaround in the Lowcountry of South Carolina as the Heritage is again one of the Tour’s Signature Events.
We have general albums for you to check out, as well as plenty of WITBs — including Justin Thomas and Justin Rose.
We’ll continue to update as more photos flow in from SC.
Check out links to all our photos, below.
General Albums
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Monday #2
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #1
- 2024 RBC Heritage – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Justin Thomas – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Rose – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Chandler Phillips – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Nick Dunlap – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Thomas Detry – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Austin Eckroat – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Jason Day – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Will Zalatoris – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Patrick Cantlay – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Ludvig Aberg – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Collin Morikawa – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Sam Burns – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Stephen Jaeger – WITB – 2024 RBC Heritage
Pullout Albums
- Wyndham Clark’s Odyssey putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- JT’s new Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Justin Thomas testing new Titleist 2 wood – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey putter with triple track alignment aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Scotty Cameron The Blk Box putting alignment aid/training aid – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Cameron putter – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Odyssey Ai One Eleven T putters – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Christian Bezuidenhout – testing new Callaway Ti 340 mini driver – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Rory McIlroy testing the new TaylorMade BRNR Mini Driver Copper – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Xander Schauffele testing the Callaway Ti 340 mini driver & the DUW – 2024 RBC Heritage
- Byeong Hun An, two new L.A.B. Golf putter builds with “T” alignment – 2024 RBC Heritage
See what GolfWRXers are saying and join the discussion in the forums.
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Tim
Mar 13, 2020 at 12:16 pm
“Yea definitely. It just shows that there are other avenues. It brings attention to women’s golf, and that’s something golf hasn’t had in the past years as much… ”
did she just say that??!?!?!?
Mat
Dec 25, 2016 at 5:26 am
That’s the PXG I was expecting…
Jim Parsons
Dec 14, 2016 at 11:52 am
Guys I promise this one tournament isn’t any indication of our club performance. Chelsea is still getting fine-tuned to our newest equipment. Be on the lookout for our new set of irons, starting at $10,000.
J
Dec 12, 2016 at 12:22 am
What a joke. 82-82. Looks like she got some practice in over the weekend, aka went to the beach and did more instagram pose photos.
Chunkie Buck
Dec 10, 2016 at 5:20 pm
Hey RJ, I think you’re on to something!! WITB, What’s in the bra?
Jalan
Dec 9, 2016 at 9:46 pm
Except for Annabel Dimmock WD, she is DFL, missed the cut by 16 strokes. Even Paige Spiranac beat her.
Jalan
Dec 9, 2016 at 9:45 pm
Except for Annabel Gimmick WD, she is DFL, missed the cut by 16 strokes. Even Paige Spiranac beat her.
doug iann
Dec 9, 2016 at 8:56 pm
LET Tourney results:
Paige – 77-80 MC
Chelsea – 82-82 MC Dead Last
From Chelsea “Since I switched to PXG, my game has improved tremendously.” – wow, what was it like before the switch? 18 hdcp?
Her current game is about as good as mine, and I stink! But alas, I don’t have big jigglies.
Alfredo Smith
Dec 8, 2016 at 7:02 pm
Wow really, the golf purity police rears its ugly head and is hating on pretty young girls, what the heck. So what if she gets an invite, the tournament sponsors have their reasons and when you become a zillionaire you can invite whoever you like to your tournament.
Prime21
Dec 8, 2016 at 12:34 pm
+1
AllBOdoesisgolf
Dec 8, 2016 at 11:11 am
women… don’t exploit us…. unless we can make loads of money and be famous, then it’s ok.
Jim Parsons
Dec 7, 2016 at 6:19 pm
Thanks for the coverage! PXG loves paying under-achieving hotties to play our over-priced clubs! But if actual touring professionals want to try our stuff, they have to pay for it! Makes TOTAL sense I know. Be sure to look out for our newest venture coming soon… Skinemax’s Bikini Golf – Sponsored by PXG
Paige Spiranac
Dec 7, 2016 at 9:25 pm
Hey Jim! Shoot me a message on my instagram!
Jim Parsons
Dec 8, 2016 at 10:47 am
Take it you didn’t get the Go Daddy Lingerie I sent over?
John
Dec 6, 2016 at 4:19 pm
These takes are hilarious. If she’s happy then f— it, that’s what America is all about
Rj
Dec 6, 2016 at 3:17 am
Why does this site keep ogling to these models and not articles about the LPGA, LET, Symetra and other developmental professional tours with real players and their WITB?
SV
Dec 5, 2016 at 2:19 pm
If this and Spiranac are all the US can come up with, is it any wonder the Koreans are kicking our butts? Why not cover real golfers that actually know what equipment they are playing?
Dave R
Dec 5, 2016 at 1:02 pm
One of your dumbest. Is this about ladies golf or golf clubs or some one selling weights?. We all know sex sells but get over it . What year are we living in good god this type of reporting is wrong she is a very good looking young ladie stop exploiting her . When she can win at the highest level in ladies golf then you can report it. And no I’m not stupid I realize what’s going on but it’s my right to disagree with stupidly .
Tazz2293
Jan 3, 2017 at 8:30 pm
She wants to be exploited and if she is okay with it who are you to disagree?
matt_bear
Dec 5, 2016 at 10:47 am
81.67 scoring average her final year of college. Best round of 74….that gets you into a pro tournament? This is advancing women’s “golf”???? Whatever. Why does everyone have to pretend this is a golf story? This is selling sex.
Johnny
Dec 5, 2016 at 10:42 am
Andrew, just how lazy do you have to be to “report” on this lady when you had so many far more interesting stories to report on from the LPGA Q-School that just finished up yesterday?
ooffa
Dec 5, 2016 at 11:47 am
Are you serious there was definitely nothing more interesting then this. Great reporting job. Well, except for the words in the article. Less words, more pictures. Ideally no words. Yes go for that. Just pictures. Thanks in advance.
Steve S
Dec 5, 2016 at 10:04 am
To say that I don’t understand women is an understatement but……
Here is an obviously smart and talented lady who is trading on her looks. In 5-10 years something will come up where she is mocked or made fun of, for one reason or another, and she will complain that she is not being “taken seriously”.
Women are OK if their good looks get them places but complain that their looks overshadow their “other qualities”. Sorry sweetie, show me yours and our testosterone kicks in and we want to show you ours.
And I don’t agree with Smitty…Lexi floats my boat….
B. Parsons
Dec 5, 2016 at 9:39 am
Screw golf, let’s just put athletic models out on the course and hope tv ratings go up!
Who needs golfers in golf tournaments when models are prettier?
Ron
Dec 5, 2016 at 9:29 am
Hot girl golfer gets attention for being hot. Actual competitive female golfers righteously indignant. When she starts earning her way to tournament invites, she’ll be a golfer. When pervy CEOs invite her for her cans, she’s just eye candy.
Smitty
Dec 5, 2016 at 8:44 am
Good interview but Paige Spiranac is still #1 in my book by a mile.
carl spackler
Dec 5, 2016 at 8:26 am
wow, how she makes it to a pro tourney with these stats is beyond me. 81 average!?!?
Senior (2013-14) … Academic All-Big Ten … U-M Athletic Academic Achievement … U-M Senior Honors Award Recipient … Played in four tournaments, with three starts … Played in two fall tournaments and two spring tournaments … Competed in third career Big Ten Championships (April 25-27) finishing 71st at 253 (87-85-81) … Ended final season averaging 81.67 strokes per round … Shot a season-best two-over 74 in the first round of the Hurricane Invitational (March 3-5) … Averaged 245.00 strokes per 54-hole event … Tallied a season-best 54-hole tournament total of 242, twice — Challenge at Onion Creek (Sept. 30-Oct. 1) and Hurricane Invitational.
Ian Muir
Dec 5, 2016 at 10:31 am
Spot-on comments; she’s just a side-show same as Spirinac and not what the ladies’ game needs.
Mike Honcho
Dec 5, 2016 at 7:40 am
If you Shank this article, you have season passes to Siegfried and Roy.