Lise Leduc, showing the form that has earned her the ranking as one of the top female golfers in Northern Ontario, is looking forward to her new career as Manager of Golf and Operations At the Clearview Golf Club in Val Caron.

Lise, 36, was born and raised in Valley East. She graduated from Confederation Secondary School and then obtained a Broadcasting Diploma from Canadore College in 1985. After spending nine years with MCTV, she opened up the Valley Fitness Centre for three years before taking on a position with the Cambrian College Special Needs Centre for another three years.

She was introduced to golf at the age of 25 by her sister-in-law in Thunder Bay. From the moment she stepped on to a golf course for the first time, Lise fell in love with the game. Shortly afterward she took part in the Chip in For Charity golf tournament and won a photocopier. She was sitting at the same table as one of the Demarco’s who had won a set of golf clubs. He needed a photocopier and she needed a set of golf clubs, so a trade was made. That is how Lise, now a certified Canadian Golf Teacher’s Federation  teaching professional, started off in golf.

“I always enjoyed competition,” explained Leduc. “So I was naturally drawn to golf when I saw how competitive it could get in tournaments. This was different from fastball. You are totally responsible for your own performance in golf. There’s no one to blame but yourself if you make mistakes.”

Eventually Lise became more and more involved in golf during the summer months. She managed the New Sudbury Golf Driving Range one summer and then last year was the Assistant Pro under CPGA professional, Rick Noble. After Rick Noble left Clearview, Lise was offered the position as Manager of Golf and Operations by owners Bruno and Claudia Gobeil.

“I feel that the experiences I have gained in my other jobs have helped me to handle the challenges of managing a business like a Pro Shop and working with people giving them lessons and advice about golf,” commented Lise.

“My objectives this summer are to begin building up my clientele by giving lessons to adults and juniors. I will be running a winter golf centre with Al Armstrong during the off-season,” Lise further explained. “I want to help people enjoy the sport better and get more out of their time on the golf course. I think this is best done by sticking to the basics.”

Lise has special instruction programs for adults and juniors. Anyone interested in finding out more about these programs should contact her at 879-6419.