Athlete of the Week: Wendi Golden

The East County Observer and Bogey’s Restaurant and Sports Pub have teamed up to showcase the East County’s top athletes. Each recipient’s article will be featured on the restaurant’s wall.

After coaching the Lakewood Ranch High girls golf team to a perfect regular season this fall, Lakewood Ranch resident Wendi Golden received some recognition of her own last week when she was named the Florida State Women’s Golf Association’s 2009 Female Player of the Year for the second consecutive year. Golden accepted her award in Ocala last Friday night. 

Here is an inside look at this week’s Athlete of the Week:

What does this award mean to you?
I’m honored and privileged because there are some very talented individuals in the state of Florida. It’s taken a lot of hard work over the last year, and it’s nice to see hard work pay off.

What would you be doing if you weren’t playing golf or coaching?
I most likely would be in veterinary medicine. That was my interest growing up. I even went to the University of Georgia’s vet school to check it out, but there was a conflict with tee times and lab times, so I had to choose.

How did you and your husband (Lakewood girls tennis coach Jason Golden) meet?
We were working out at the same gym and were involved in the same singles group at Sarasota Baptist Church. Our first date was to see who could run farther at the gym. I drank a Red Bull beforehand, and I think he still beat me. We dated for three months and then eloped.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I’ve been to over 25 countries since I played on the European Tour, so I’ve gotten to go to a lot of places. But I still really want to go to Greece. My great-grandfather lived on the Island of Crete.

Do you have any children?
I have two daughters. Jordan is 7 years old and Taylor is about to turn 6 years old.

What is your favorite holiday tradition?
Every year at Christmastime, we make hot chocolate and load up in the car with our pajamas on and drive through Lakewood Ranch checking out all of the lights and decorations.

What are some of your hobbies?
I love to go to the beach. I like to fish, and I like to play tennis.