The Long and Winding Road - One Woman's Journey into Professional Golf

In this Episode we meet a new professional player where we discuss her journey to professional golf.   There are many different paths that players take in becoming professional golfers and working towards their goal of making it to the "big tour" -- whether it be the PGA or in this case, the LPGA.   Often times it can be a lonely journey, sacrificing a robust social life in exchange for hitting golf balls, working on the swing, wedge game or putting.  The stress from the long hours of practice, training and preparation can often take a toll on a player's mental health too.  

Hannah Leiner is a native Floridian who recently graduated from Florida International University (FIU) after a career in NCAA Division 1 golf.   She shares her struggles and joys of playing golf from junior golf to college and then making the decision of becoming a professional.   We learn how she combats the low points and  enjoys the high points. 

Along the way,  we also chat about social media and how Hannah became a Social Media personality, developing a following of over 100, 000 (100K) on Instagram.   Of course, being a prominent social media personality can take on a life of its own and the perceptions that some have about "Instagram golfers".  Like Paige Spiranac,  Hannah tackles the topic head-on, sharing how she gains strength and support from her "social media family" and how she uses social media to promote the sport of golf and for her sponsors like PXG.

Join us for this short episode or pass it on to the young person in your life who often dreams of becoming a professional player.  

Transcript

Douglas Maida: 0:13

Good afternoon and welcome to our show. We're talking golf. My name is Douglas Maiden, I'm your host for our show. On today's episode, we're going to be joined by a young lady from Florida, who has just graduated from university and has decided to turn professional. Now, it's a little bit of a departure from our normal show and format. But from time to time, we'd like to talk with aspiring professionals about their journey. It's a wonderful opportunity for our listeners to learn more about professional golf, and the effort and work that it takes to become a professional player. Now, before I introduce our guest, I would like to welcome you, our listeners and followers from around the world. Because without you listening and subscribing to our podcast, we would not be able to bring you this show. So thank you for listening to us. Now, before we get into today's show, we're going to take a short break for this message from our sponsor.

Amy (Studio): 1:09

Thank you for joining us. You are listening to we're talking golf, a podcast brought to you by the world of golf. Our show has been named as one of the top 40 Golf podcasts to follow in 2021. We could not achieve that without you, our listeners. Thank you for your support. Now back to the show.

Douglas Maida: 1:31

And a big welcome to our guests Hannah Leiner who's joining us from her home in Florida. Hello, Hannah, how are you? And welcome to the show.

Hannah Leiner: 1:40

Good. How are you? Thanks for having me.

Douglas Maida: 1:43

Our pleasure. Our pleasure. We're a little envious because you're in Florida and beautiful golf weather almost 12 months of the year. And we're up here just waiting for the rain to go away so that we can start to play a little more actively as well.

Hannah Leiner: 1:57

it's just so great. Being in Florida. I love it. Yeah,

Douglas Maida: 2:02

Is Florida, your hometown or your home state?

Hannah Leiner: 2:06

Yes. So I was born and raised in South Florida and then went to college in South Florida. And now I'm living in Tampa, but I am half the year in Tampa half a year in Jersey, actually. So

Douglas Maida: 2:20

Jersey is in New Jersey or?

Hannah Leiner: 2:22

Yep, New Jersey.

Douglas Maida: 2:24

And what brought you up that way?

Hannah Leiner: 2:26

So my boyfriend, he actually plays for the Jets. And he was just drafted last year. So last year was our first year in Jersey. And then so we're there six months of the year, we only get like two cold months. So it's not that bad. But then we get down. We come down to Florida for offseason training.

Douglas Maida: 2:46

Terrific. So you attended and graduated in Florida -- High School? You did all of that routine play Junior golf there and all of that.

Hannah Leiner: 2:57

Yes

Douglas Maida: 2:58

And then you decided to go to university?

Hannah Leiner: 3:00

Right. Yeah.

Douglas Maida: 3:01

Which University was that?

Hannah Leiner: 3:03

Florida International University in Miami.

Douglas Maida: 3:07

So why don't why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself. We'll use this as an opportunity for you to introduce yourself to the listeners and to the larger audience out there. How was it that you came to play golf who introduced you to it? Things of that nature? Any early recollections?

Hannah Leiner: 3:22

Yes. So my dad actually got me into playing golf. I started when golfing when I was five years old. But at the time, I was actually competitively dancing. So I was a dancer from the ages of like 2 to like 12 years old. And then I took golf more seriously, because I started winning tournaments. And I started playing tournament at 12 years old as well. So I started playing and winning, and I loved winning, I didn't win as much in dance. So I'm like, I don't know, I should probably take this direction a little bit. So I started competing, and it just took off from there. And I loved it. And it really drove me but my dad was the one who got me into golf taught me; I had two coaches my whole life; one that kind of taught me when I was like 5 to 10 to 12. And then I got my new coach at the time, and I still use them to this day. And his name is Barry Goldstein. So just a little shout out to him.

Douglas Maida: 4:26

Did you have a favorite experience when you're a junior golfer or anything of that nature, a particular tournament where you played well or meeting any sort of professional player that kind of like got you excited and pumped up for golf?

Hannah Leiner: 4:41

Yes. So I was fortunate to live in Miami and that's when I think the Cadillac championship downin Doral and I got to go every single year meet all the pros on the PGA Tour like Rickie Fowler was my number one favorite -- Everyone's favorite when they were a teenage girl. Um, I got to meet all of them and they were all so nice signing autographs, he would stay there for hours just signing everyone's autograph. But my favorite tournament I played in when I was younger has to be the US Women's Amateur. It's the most professionally run event for amateur golfers and I was 16 years old when I qualified. And it was crazy because I was going into the last hole at four under in the qualifier, and I double bogied for 71. And, um, and then I got to play off with like nine other girls, and they were all they were all older. They were in college, and I was just like 16. And I was like, Oh my gosh, this is my first like big playoff event and my life and I was like shaking. And I remember getting on the green on three and I had a 30 foot putt for par. And I sunk it and I remember my dad was caddying for me, and he just stood behind me. He just stood behind me and was like, just roll it in. And that's what I did. And I made it and I got to move on and qualify. And it was just an incredible experience. And that was in Portland, Oregon. So I got to go out there. And it was just it changed my life. I was like I want to be playing in events like this all the time.

Douglas Maida: 6:28

So it was safe to say you kind of enjoyed the adrenaline rush from it all.

Hannah Leiner: 6:33

Yes, that's like the best part.

Douglas Maida: 6:37

Just as an aside, you grew up in Florida. So primarily the grasses there would be things like Bermuda, I presume that you played on, and then going all the way out to Portland, Oregon, where Bermuda is not exactly a common occurrence to find on a golf course. How did you have any thoughts? Or do you remember much of a recollection of all of that experience?

Hannah Leiner: 6:57

So it was definitely I played in a couple of courses. It like at the time, I played in a lot of courses in Pinehurst. So I was used to like different types of grasses. So it wasn't a big shock to me when I went up there. But it was definitely different. And I kind of liked it a little bit more than Bermuda because it was just nice. It was like just so beautiful. Everything was just so green and like, right I feel like sometimes in Florida, it could be well dead. grassy. But it was just it was cool to just change it up and switch it up. That's why I like to travel now to play different courses because you know, I never know where I'm gonna end up playing. So just to get used to different types of grasses and things like that is really important.

Douglas Maida: 7:47

And the Bermuda is a little bit more on the wirey side and right places like Portland and whatnot, you're gonna have anything from say Poa to bentgrass greens, so,

Unknown: 7:56

right.

Douglas Maida: 7:58

Um, so how was it that you came from junior golf into university golf and in particular, Florida International University.

Hannah Leiner: 8:08

So my senior year of high school, I actually committed to FIU and I was in between FIU and USF. And I picked fit because I really wanted to stay in South Florida with my family in Miami. That was the majority of the reason why I really picked FIU. And when I visited the campus, it was just it was beautiful. The campus was like all modern, and I've never really seen a campus like this. I was like, This is huge. I didn't even know really much about it before I visited. And I was like, I just know this is going to be the place for me. So I then chose FIU, I signed with FIU. And I was there in the fall of 2017.

Douglas Maida: 8:54

And if you could take a few sentences, how did you enjoy your college golf, your university golf. I mean, obviously University is a big time of change in transition going from high school into more of adulthood and whatnot. So I'm sure you're probably weren't immune to all of those experiences, as we all all have shared in them. Anything about that transition that stood out or any wonderful experiences that you'd like to share?

Hannah Leiner: 9:22

So when I first went to FIU, of course, it was a big change in my mindset, my body, my routine, everything you can possibly think of it was completely different than what it was in high school. And so when I went, um, I I enjoyed it for the most part, I had such great experiences I met so many people that really like just changed my life. And I I would say that, I guess the best part of going to FIU is learning just to put myself in a different environment in different environments can be good even challenging ones like it not everything is going to be perfect all the time. And there's of course going to be conflicts and obstacles that you have to, you know, that come in your life, but just how I learned to deal with those conflicts, I'm very proud of myself. So I'd say the best part of FIU, you would be having to meet my boyfriend because I got a chance to meet him. And he has brought a lot of amazing experiences and positivity to my life that I wouldn't have if I didn't meet him. So.

Douglas Maida: 10:32

Well, that's fantastic, wonderful experience. I need to take a short little break right now for a commercial message. And then when we come back, I'd like to spend some time chatting with you about your journey and turning professional, what your experiences have been. And what some of your goals and accomplishments that you have lined up for yourself.

Hannah Leiner: 10:53

Of course,

Amy (Studio): 10:54

today's show is brought to you by HONMA golf experienced distance beyond imagination, shop, the all new T//World GS. Now back to our show, here is your host, Douglas Maida.

Douglas Maida: 11:08

Alright, we're back. Thank you for staying with us. And we're meeting with or sitting down with Hannah Leiner who is joining us on zoom from her home in Florida. And we're talking golf. So, Hannah, at what point? Did you know that you wanted to pursue a professional career in golf? Was there a particular aha moment? Or was it something that you gradually grew into and said, this is something I'd like to pursue.

Hannah Leiner: 11:33

So in junior golf, I had a very fortunate career. And I always knew I want to become Pro. Then when I got to college, and I started competing against a higher level, I was kind of like doubting myself. And I was unsure if I wanted to do that, especially with, you know, studying, I was really into my major, and I still am into my major, which is communications. And I, I didn't really know. So after kind of COVID hit, I took some time off from golf, I was still like a golfer I played in practice whenever I had time and was active on social media with my golfing, but I wasn't taking it very seriously. And then one day, I just kind of like, woke up, and I was like, I miss, there's like something missing. Yeah, I felt like kind of empty inside from not competing. And I was like, You know what, I'm gonna put everything I have into this because I am young I, I always go by the saying like, especially in your 20s, do as much as you possibly can. Because this is your time to be selfish with your career. And I was like, you know what I'm going to indulge into every single single thing I can possibly think of. So I'm going to put all my efforts into becoming professional. I'm going to put all my efforts into finishing up college. And that's basically where I'm on track right now.

Douglas Maida: 13:01

You mentioned about going online and doing things on social media and whatnot. I have noticed in preparing for our interview today in or having you on as a guest, of course, we do a little bit of homework, you seem to have built up a pretty sizable following on social media, whether it be on Instagram, or some of the other social media channels. How did that come about? And was that just something that kind of happened? And and what did you think about; what was your thought process about wanting to go online?

Hannah Leiner: 13:31

So in high school, actually, I never posted about golf, like I would get made fun of for playing golf, people would be like golf isn't a real sport, golf is this, whatever. And I never really posted about it. And then my senior year, I was I took a professional photo shoot with"Eye on You" photography down in South Florida. And I was like, I love the picture. So I decided to post them. And one of the pictures went viral. And I at the time I had like 1000 followers. And that picture got 1000 likes, and I was like, how is this possible? I'm like, not like what and then it just blew up from there. I was like I kept posting more golf content. And I kept developing I got kept getting reposted and all those things and my followers just blew up. And it kind of just happened. I never really had a plan for it. But it's very fortunate that it did happen because it brought me so many opportunities like playing at prestige golf courses around America, playing in events, now turning professional I have a great support, like support system and very encouraging followers. But yeah, I also got to be on Holey Moley season two, the TV show on ABC. So that was all because of my social media,

Douglas Maida: 15:03

Fantastic. So you have this strong social media presence, and a really good one on Instagram. So as you start to move into professional golf, do you have some concerns about being seen now, as only a social media golfer,

Hannah Leiner: 15:21

I'm ... not really, I'm not really the kind of person who would say, I know people are going to talk, I know, people are going to have things to say about me, I don't really pay attention to them. Because at the end of the day, they're not living my life. And they're not going to be the ones who are going to make me feel happy, I kind of have to just stay on track. And of course, there'll be some comments I've run into that are not the nicest. But overall, my experience on social media has been pretty pleasant. Like, I haven't gotten a lot of hate or things like that, or name calling, or, you know, stereotype and stuff like that. I I've been really getting a lot of encouraging messages and everything. So I'm not too worried about it.

Douglas Maida: 16:15

Yeah, that's good to hear. I know, you know, Paige is probably one of the more famous people in the, in the social media world with regards to her presence on social media, and having been an alumni of San Diego State University golf. And there have been some people critical about her and her role in golf and whatnot. How are you dealing with that transition? Like, what are you going to do? Or do you have a plan in place to gradually make that evolution from social media focused to golf focused? Or do you see that as a process going hand in hand, and a way of documenting your journey?

Hannah Leiner: 16:52

I definitely think it's a process going hand in hand, I think that the golf world now more than ever before, has been really developing into social media. And it's been using social media to create content, like to push out content, and especially with COVID. And everything, it's hard to, you know, film things as much as before. So everything, everyone's looking at social media nowadays, and it's been more useful than ever before.

Douglas Maida: 17:24

Yeah that's true. Very true, especially with the COVID situation, it's really, really magnified the importance of social media and as a way of staying in contact, especially seeing as we can't do it in person anymore, or shouldn't be doing it in person so much.

Hannah Leiner: 17:40

Right.

Douglas Maida: 17:42

I guess in Florida, you've been kind of at the epicenter of a big part of it. So

Hannah Leiner: 17:45

Yeah. Honestly, it's been amazing to be down here in Florida, because everything's open. There's, it's, of course, I take my protocols, and I do what, you know, wear masks keep my distance. But other than that, like, it's just nice to kind of live as normal as we possibly could in a situation like this.

Douglas Maida: 18:06

I think any sort of sense of normalcy is, is a big help as we go through this period of time, especially the longer it's gone on. So

Hannah Leiner: 18:14

Right, especially for your mental health, too. It's very important. Like I know, living in Jersey in New York for six months, it was hard because everything was closed, basically. And especially when the holidays rolled around. It was very it would they would have curfews at like 10pm. And it was just, you couldn't experience New York like you would usually, and I know, it's all because of protocols. And it's important, but it's just different ways of doing things.

Douglas Maida: 18:44

Yeah. You mentioned the importance of mental health. That's something that I think a lot of golfers go through as well. I mean, it may not seem like it on the surface, because everybody sees the nice photo shoots or in your case, you know, sees some of your photo shoots that you have posted and whatnot. But there is, um, I think behind the scenes, there is some concern about the effects of maintaining good mental health so that -- I mean, because golf is really one of the few sports in the world where it's so individualistic. I mean, you have your caddy to help you out on the course. But other than that, it's you as the player that has to make the final decision; you have to pull the club; you have to hit the shot. And golf is probably one of the most punishing sports in in the entire sporting world in the sense that it's a dog eat dog world. I mean, you don't there's no such thing as a team bonus. There's none of that.

Hannah Leiner: 19:38

It's all on you.

Douglas Maida: 19:39

Exactly. Precisely. So have you given any thought to that as to, you know, building a team and how you would do that in terms of going forward? Because it seems that you need a team nowadays to be so successful in professional golf.

Hannah Leiner: 19:55

Right? Of course, yeah. I have my parents who have been in my corner ever since I started playing ... my coach who has known me since I was 12 years old, he's such a positive person. And the best part of the team that like really, you know, puts us all together. My dad obviously has been really hard on me throughout my golf career, but in a positive way, he just wants the best for me, he want, he knows what I'm capable of, and I get that. But sometimes, you know, we're the same person. So we go head to head, we're very stubborn. And he kind of like, is the mediator and kind of settles those both both down. And my boyfriend to who's very positive, who understands what it takes to be a professional athlete, he gives me the best support and encourages me to do things and that other people aren't doing. It gives me great advice on that as well. So it's great to have him there, too. And my friends, and my followers, they're all at my team, too. So

Douglas Maida: 21:06

I know, we just touched on social media a little bit. And we all know that there's a bit of a dark side to the social media, but you've just raised perhaps one of the more beneficial sides. And one of the best parts about social media is having those people out there that helping you to feel that maybe perhaps not alone. Did you want to maybe share that experience a little more.

Hannah Leiner: 21:27

So yeah, I having a big social media platform, a lot of people, like even my family members have when I had probably like 24,000 25,000 followers, they laughed at me. And they were like, why are you doing this? Like they didn't understand, like, they were like, this is like you expect to make a job out of this or you know, I mean, like just stuff like that. And I always like was like, just watch, just wait one day, like you'll see, you'll see. And now they're like, oh, congratulations, you did this, you did this? And it's like, Yes, because it takes like, you know, it takes time to develop it just, it's not gonna happen overnight. It's definitely a long term goal to have. And you make like little short term, you reach short term goals, and you eventually reach those big followers and those big opportunities. But I've definitely had some doubters that kind of have motivated me in a way to prove them wrong.

Douglas Maida: 22:28

Also, you also find it as a good source of motivation.

Unknown: 22:31

Yes, for sure.

Douglas Maida: 22:33

Now, that's a way of channeling any potential negativity into a more positive direction, isn't it? We talked about team. So you have a Swing Coach, you have the somebody caddy for you. Have you thought about that? Or are you kind of taking it on a case by case basis?

Hannah Leiner: 22:51

Right now it's a case by case basis, because especially I just started to my boyfriend, just caddied, for me, his name's James. James just caddied for me in this event, and honestly, of all the caddies I've ever had in my life, which were like my dad, and he was kind of the most positive. And just, he, like I said before, he understands the perfect what professional athletes Go in, go through in very, like serious environments, and you know, having to be dialed in and in the zone. So he understands that and that made it so much better. And I listened to him, like my dad wasn't a professional golfer or he, he did play basketball. He wasn't a professional basketball player, either. So he isn't in the same kind of environment or like it doesn't have to go through the kinds of experiences that a professional athlete has to go through when playing in an event. So I really listened to him. I tried to not the second day that much because I got a little frustrated. But it happens. It's golf. And the next day, I really tried to channel that positivity in me so it really helps them again,

Douglas Maida: 24:09

You just mentioned your boyfriend, Jake. I'm sure it was his name again, Jason.

Hannah Leiner: 24:14

James.

Douglas Maida: 24:14

James. Sorry. Yeah. So you had James caddying for you? What event was this? And can you maybe tell us a little bit about

Hannah Leiner: 24:22

so it's the National Women's Golf Association. It was hosted in Stone Gate Golf & Country Club in Kissimmee, Florida. And they basically are like the cactus store in Arizona, but in Florida, so it's kind of like a tour that develops professional golfers and kind of gets them ready for the Symetra or LPGA or cue school stuff like that. So it was a great event. They put on a great event. Thank you so much, the NWGA for doing that. But it was it was great. I was a great first event for me, especially because I got to meet some other There are professionals in my area that I can now go and golf with. I learned more about my game playing and what I need to work on. And yeah, it was it was just overall an awesome experience,

Douglas Maida: 25:13

A two day event?

Hannah Leiner: 25:15

Three day

Douglas Maida: 25:16

Three day event. And how did you do? Did you meet your expectations? Did you find some areas? I mean, obviously, it was probably a little bit eye opening for you as well.

Hannah Leiner: 25:24

Right. So the last competitive event that I played in was actually a year and a half ago. And I kind of had that pressure where like, Okay, well, I haven't played in a long time, let's kind of see where my foundation is, like, let's start like, this is my starting event. So let's see what I'm working with. That's kind of how I went into it, like looking at it. And I was satisfied with the way I played. There's, of course, areas that I need to develop. And I think everyone in golf can say that about their game. But I just learned a lot about my game and what I need to work on. And then moving forward. I'm just going to keep working on my mental aspect that's got to do a lot of what kind of broke me in some areas. And yeah, so

Douglas Maida: 26:22

Do you have a mental coach to work with?

Hannah Leiner: 26:26

So I used to, and I haven't worked with him and probably a couple years, but I worked with him for probably like three years. So I kind of remember some of the things he taught me and the notes I took from our video chats and whatnot. But I kind of been taking that into play as well.

Douglas Maida: 26:49

Oh Great, great. That's often an area that's overlooked, I think, with professional sports and whatnot. So mental performance is such a big part of it, regardless of which sport.

Hannah Leiner: 27:00

Exactly. And for golf, it's a big portion of it, because one bad shot can lead to more bad shots. And I always tell myself one shot at a time. And when I start thinking of score, that's when I kind of get a little ahead of myself. And I see a lot of players do that as well. So I tried. And it's very hard to train your mind to do that. Because it's like very present thinking. And a lot of people like to think of the future. It's like, oh, one bad shot, but we don't think positively like we don't think, oh, but we can make that shot up. You know, it's just it starts kind of snowballing. And that's what is the hardest part to just kind of channel yourself into the present and keep yourself there.

Douglas Maida: 27:45

You're playing on the NWGA Tour, you're getting yourself prepared and ready. What are going to be your goals with regards to professional golf? Is it your goal to look at q school right away? Or the Q series? Or are you going to take another year of preparatory work on one of the smaller tours? Or Where do you see yourself going from here,

Hannah Leiner: 28:08

So definitely looking into playing Q-school and going through that whole experience. I don't, I'm unsure of if it's going to be this year, or if it's going to be next year. That's definitely something that's definitely a goal of mine that I want to experience. But I will be qualifying for the US Open or trying to qualify for the US Open in May. So I have that on my schedule. And right now I'm just going to be trying to travel and play events around the country as well on different tours, just to kind of like what I said before, like earlier, is to get used to the different conditions to get used to different life experiences, because a lot in college was we would travel to different courses. And I think that's very important to kind of get a look at different experiences. Because on the LPGA you're going to be traveling all the time playing different places all the time. So I think that's one of the most important things to do.

Douglas Maida: 29:15

Right. So you want to develop a game that can travel.

Hannah Leiner: 29:19

Right,

Douglas Maida: 29:20

And they do that best by the approach of taking it. Yep, I agree completely. What do you find some of the challenges in terms of being in in professional golf? I mean, it's not exactly. I mean, what we see on television, what we see when we turn on the television on Sunday afternoon, you see, you see the purse distribution, you see professional players, you hear about private jets and things of that nature. But it's a very stark reality when you're starting out as a professional player. What do you find some of the challenges of becoming a professional player? I mean, what what are some of the obstacles like and how do you overcome them?

Hannah Leiner: 29:59

I'm very fortunate to have a support system like my parents, and James that helped me out with my professional career. Um, but I do see challenges I can't play, you know, in every single event. And it's kind of hard to get on a rhythm if you don't play a lot. So that is definitely one of the challenges and obstacles that I'm facing. But at the same time, I've been so far enjoying the experience and everything like that. I love the grind, and I love to go out and perform my best. So I'm just excited to keep doing that.

Douglas Maida: 30:40

Where's your regional qualifier for the US Women's Open?

Hannah Leiner: 30:43

So it's actually going to be in New Jersey in Brunswick, I believe? I'm not sure of the course yet. I have to check my emails. But yeah, it's gonna be in Jersey.

Douglas Maida: 30:56

Okay. So are you going to be heading back up that way, gradually, so you can get used to playing those types of conditions again?

Hannah Leiner: 31:05

Um, yeah, I'll be there, like couple weekends out of the year before I go back in September. But yeah, I'm just trying to get used to that play and used to this, like if I'm used to Florida already, of course, but I haven't really played a lot of golf last year, because of COVID. And I was kind of taking a break from golf, which is probably the best thing that happened to my career, because I got that hunger again. And I got that drive to, you know, go back and go hard.

Douglas Maida: 31:39

I could see that. You know, just as an aside, Shanshan Feng who's playing in the ANA (Inspiration Championship), she hadn't been playing on the LPGA for some 14 months. And just as an aside yesterday, she said, she comes back so mentally fresh, she feels like, not an 18 year old, but at least a 25 year old.

Hannah Leiner: 31:59

Right, I totally agree. It's like taking that time off is so important, too, because especially going from college where we were just grinding, it's a convert some players out. And that's kind of how I felt. So it was important for me to do that. And then now, I'm hungry for it. And I know that I'm working hard, because I want to do that, you know, I don't have necessary like a team or coach. With that, you know, pressure. And everything I do is because I want to do it myself.

Douglas Maida: 32:36

Well, that's definitely going to be an eventful year for you and whatnot. Tell me, Hannah, if somebody wants to follow your scores, and follow your experience in playing professional golf and perhaps cheer you on or find a way to support you -- What are some of the avenues that they could do that?

Hannah Leiner: 32:57

So you guys can follow me on Instagram, tik tok, Twitter, or YouTube at Hannah B, as in boy, Leiner. B is my middle name. A lot of people call me Bleiner. And I'm like, No, let's get this straightened out guys. No, it's Hannah Bianca Leiner That's my full name. But it's funny because the actually like I tried to put Hannah Leiner as my username on Instagram. And I guess someone made like a fake account of me with my username. So with my real name, so now I can't use that. So I decided to put the B in there. And it's just stuck. So you can either find me as Hannah B. Leiner and then on Facebook Hannah Leiner Golf,

Douglas Maida: 33:42

You're gonna make sure you get that verification, so you get that little blue checkmark or whatever.

Hannah Leiner: 33:48

Right.

Douglas Maida: 33:51

So what's next for you? Or let me ask you this golf, professional golf runs on sponsorships for individuals and tournaments and whatnot. If I was interested in wanting to support, say, a player like yourself, I mean, obviously, it's lines up with what I want to do as a vision and where you know, what the values are and whatnot, that we want to express publicly? How does one go about doing something like that with when they're professional golf starting out? Like, I mean, in terms of supporting the players and whatnot,

Hannah Leiner: 34:22

Right. I'm not really sure how all of that works. I do have PXG as my sponsor, who has been such an amazing experience so far, and they've provided me with clothing and clubs, and they're just awesome and I love their mission and everything that they stand for. But I think sponsorships would work through my agent, my agent kind of handles that everything, and that is OTG Management. They do a lot of football players, but they were considered me because I I love like they've seen me. And we've built a great relationship over the years because my boyfriend actually signed with them for football. So they have worked with a lot of our close friends too. And it just kind of built from there. So I'm so glad that they took me on their team, because they're just awesome.

Douglas Maida: 35:20

That's terrific. So, any last words you'd like to share with the audience?

Hannah Leiner: 35:28

Thank you guys so much for listening. And I hope you follow my experiences. I am very interactive with my followers. So if you give me a message, or have any questions for me at all, feel free to reach out to me on dm, or you can email me you can find my email on my Instagram and any questions at all. I am very open and honest to talking to you guys.

Douglas Maida: 35:52

Great. So what are your next steps? Where do you go from here, Hannah? In terms of career and, and physically and things of that nature?

Hannah Leiner: 36:01

Right, I will be graduating this month in April. And then I will be pursuing my professional career keep developing everything and playing in as many as beds as I can. Then when I go out to Jersey, I want to build a lot more networks and connections up there. So I can play golf more up there. And yeah, and I'm just really excited for the journey that I have ahead. I have a lot to work on. And I'm excited for that. So I'm just career wise, I would love to be more on the social media presence as well. I do film a lot of videos talking about my experiences on golf courses or anything like that. So I'm going to keep doing that as well. And hopefully, that will turn into a job or I'm just doing as much as I possibly can. exploring all my different options.

Douglas Maida: 37:02

Right. So as they say, enjoying the journey and enjoying the process.

Hannah Leiner: 37:06

Right, exactly.

Douglas Maida: 37:09

All right thank you very much, Hannah. It's been wonderful to have you as a guest on the show. Yeah, we're gonna wish you all the best. And we'll keep watching from afar and looking for you in future.

Hannah Leiner: 37:20

Of course. Thanks for having me.

Douglas Maida: 37:21

Yeah, pleasure. And hopefully, maybe we can do this again sometime soon,

Hannah Leiner: 37:25

of course.

Douglas Maida: 37:27

And that concludes our show for today. Thank you for joining us listening in on the podcast or downloading it. Because again, without you we would not be able to bring you this show. So thank you so much for your support. Stay tuned and we will be back with our next show in about a week's time. Thank you and have a great day.

Amy (Studio): 37:48

You are listening to we're talking golf produced by the world of golf. This episode was recorded on Friday, April 2 2021. If you have an idea for a future show, please

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