RISING STAR SAJG: What are your top two wishes? EG: To be the number one golfer in the world and to spend real quality time with my family, my friend and my pets. SAJG: What is still on your bucket list? EG: Continue contributing towards the battle to save the rhinos. Contribute to the less fortunate in some way. Travel the world with family and friends. Become one of the world best female golfers and become an ambassador for a brand. PHOTO: Mario Galletti Galletti’s star however rose even earlier when she partnered top juniors Kyle McClatchie and Hennie du Plessis and fellow Gauteng golfer Shawnelle de Lange to victory in the Teams Competition at the second Africa Youth Games in Botswana a month earlier. Away from the golf course, the talented Italian beauty has been featured in several television programs, including on SABC’s World of Winner and Hip 2B2, her face graced a French magazine and her acting talents was showcased in KFC and Nestle Frisky cat food advertisements. She also starred in the “HSBS sponsor of global golf” advertising campaign, which was broadcast on television, the internet and in-flight advertisements between 2006 - 2009. Lali Stander caught up Galletti after she won the Sanlam SA Women’s Amateur Stroke Play qualifier at Ruimsig this August to find out more about the 15-year-old Johannesburg & Kensington star. SAJG: Tell us five things about yourself that most people don’t know. EG: I am a walking, talking ambassador for Rhino South Africa (www.rhinosa.co.za). When I was around nine, I wanted to be a professional horse rider. I really want to join the pro circuit, but if it doesn’t work out, I’d love to become a vet. I love taking ‘selfies’ with my friends. I love the movie “Frozen” – the humour is similar to mine. I am terrified of spiders. They completely freak me out! They are hairy, creepy. Thanks goodness, they can’t fly! In the hot seat with Eleonora Galletti By Lali Stander Gauteng golfer Eleonora Galletti realised her blossoming potential when she claimed a one stroke victory in the Nomads Gauteng Stroke Play Championship title in July. junior golfer south africa • sept / oct 2014 • page 2 SAJG: What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received? EG: My mom who always tell me to take a breath and stay “in the moment”. She always reminds me to focus on the moment and not to think to what has passed. It is a life skill that helps me to cope with pressure and concentration, especially when I’m playing in tournaments. It helps to settle the mind and to stay calm and focussed on doing your best at the moment in whatever you do. SAJG: What does your mother always stock up on for you? EG: Vitamins, vitamins and more vitamins! SAJG: What player has most influenced you? EG: I met Charl Schwartzel personally after he won the Masters. He was really humble and funny and down to earth and told us the truth – work hard and practice! SAJG: Who would you pick for your dream four-ball? EG: I’d love to play with Lauren Bekker, because she is very funny and keeps me happy, my biggest fan Humayra Salooje, who always keeps me positive and Mohammed Salooje, because he is great at strategic course management. SAJG: If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be? EG: I think with a really poor person, to truly understand the difficulties they have to deal with. SAJG: If your life were made into a movie, what actor would you pick to play you? EG: I’d love Selina Gomez to play me. She is a flexible talented person, she has humor, she can sing and act, she seems down to earth regardless of her fame, and people have found we have a similar looking. I can relate to her! DIVOTS Birth date: 12 February 1998 Birth place: Sandton, Johannesburg Residence: Johannesburg Golf Club: Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club Golf Union: Ladies Golf Gauteng Handicap: 2 School and grade: St Teresa’ Mercy School - Grade 9 WGSA Junior Ranking: 10 WGSA Senior Ranking: 11 2014 HIGHLIGHTS • • • • • • • • Winner - Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Club Championship Winner - Gauteng Champions of Champions Winner - Sanlam SA Women’s Amateur Championship Stroke Play Qualifier Bronze - Africa Youth Games Girls Competition T5 - Nomads SA Rose Bowl Championship T6 - Ekurhuleni Stroke Play Championship T8 - Sanlam SA Women’s Stroke Play Championship T8 - Curro SA World Juniors International junior golfer south africa • sept / oct 2014 • page 3