Condoleezza Rice Q&A
How would you describe your golf game? I would describe my game today as coming along. The problem with it is that one shot looks like Lorena Ochoa hit it and the next one looks like Bozo the Clown hit it and I’m never quite sure what the difference is at any given time, but I think that’s just golf. Clearly for me right now I’d rather be 167 yards from the hole than 67 yards from the hole; my short game is what needs work. •••
Having been in pressure-fi lled situa- tions in Washington, D.C. as national security advisor and secretary of state, CONDOLEEZZA RICE enjoys the peace and quiet of a golf course more than most. The 55-year-old is a naturally gifted athlete who played tennis and fi gure skated in her youth, but only took up golf fi ve years ago. The game has quickly become a passion as she tries to sneak away after work for a short-game practice session or a quick nine. The Stanford faculty member and former university provost is as busy as ever. Daily 5 a.m. workouts are fol- lowed by writing (a recent release of a family memoir will be followed by a book on foreign policy) and time in the classroom. Her loyalty to Stanford is obvious; she stormed the basket- ball court with Tiger Woods when the Cardinal beat Duke years ago and was more recently spotted on the fi eld at a football game coin toss. Friendly, lighthearted and open over the phone, the second women ever to be secretary of state dis- cussed growing up during the Civil Rights movement, her time on the links with former President George W. Bush and her musical talents among other topics. –Hilary Heieck
46 / NCGA.ORG / FALL 2010
How often do you play? During the summers, because I live fi ve minutes from the Stanford Golf Course, I try to play a couple times a week. It gets a little harder once the fall rolls around. •••
Any nervousness on the fi rst tee? At Stanford, which is my home club, you hit over the highway on your fi rst shot, so when that’s your fi rst tee at home it tends to make you a lot less nervous.
Are you a golfer who incessantly thinks your way around the course and plots strategy? I’m a very aggressive golfer. My challenge is to be sure that I’m not trying to hit shots that I really don’t have in my repertoire so I wish I were more of a thinking golfer. I’m trying to get better at managing the course, but it’s not my strong suit. •••
What’s the best golf tip you’ve received? Keep turning. Whenever I’m in trouble I try to remind myself to try and make a full turn. •••
Who would comprise your ideal four- some? Well I have to say Tiger Woods because of Stanford and I would love to play with Jack Nicklaus and with one of my favorite golfers because I admire his swing, Ernie Els. And if one of those couldn’t make it, I’d love to play with Phil Mickelson; he’s my other great favorite golfer.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76