Post by wiesyfan on Dec 11, 2013 11:48:33 GMT -5
stylemag.com.my/index.php/bijoux/bijoux-features/item/875-the-omega-girl
The Omega Girl
By Jo Teh
Golf and watches...and the connection? Truth be told, time keeping is crucial in all forms of sports. Style: caught up with sensational American golfer Michelle Wie during her time here for the 2013 Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia tournament in October.
She is possibly the youngest ambassador for a watch brand. Michelle Wie has been the center of attention in the golf world for many years after a prolific amateur career that saw her set a number of records for her accomplishments at a very young age. She has also earned a number of other important distinctions in the game including being the youngest player to qualify for an LPGA tour event at age 13 in 2003, and in the same year, becoming the youngest winner of the US Women’s Amateur Public Links.
With such accolades under her belt, it is not surprising that she was appointed as ambassador for renowned watch brand Omega in 2006, and the youngest ever, at that. Her drive and determination on the golf course and her precocious combination of strength and precision automatically made her an ideal member of the brand’s talented family of spokespersons.
Q: You are the youngest ambassador for Omega, tell us a little about your relationship with Omega.
Michelle Wie (MW): I am of course aesthetic to be made brand ambassador and joining the likes of other ambassadors such as George Clooney, Cindy Crawford, Zhang Ziyi, James Bond, Daniel Craig and Nicole Kidman. Omega has worked actively to promote golf as a global sport and the brand is like a family to me. They have been very supportive of every decision that I’ve made and they take great care of me. No matter where I go with Omega, I am always made to feel welcome and at home.
Q: How many Omega watches do you own?
MW: I have quite a number of Omega watches (laughs). They are all locked up in a vault in my home in Florida. I have a different watch for every occasion and of course I do have my favourites which are the Speedmaster and Seamaster. These were the first I started with when I was signed on as ambassador. I also adore the Ladymatic (the watch Michelle wore for the 2013 Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia). And I find it fun to look at my watches every now and then. Sometimes, I would just take all of them out and look through each, one by one, and see the history behind each piece. Also, I never take off my watch! I am always wearing one!
Q: What are some of the Omega values that you share with your own life?
MW: To me, Omega is class and respect. When I look at Omega watches, I am reminded of who I want to be. It encourages and motivates me to be a pioneer. I keep the values of Omega very close to heart.
Q: What are some of the major highlights that took place in your life aside golf?
MW: I recently graduated from Stanford University with a degree in communications. It was a challenge to combine studies and a career as a professional golfer but I really did love being a college student when I was away from the golf course. The switching of roles was sometimes logistically difficult but it was worth it. I consider myself lucky to have had the opportunity to pursue both my career on the golf course and my passion in the classroom at the same time. This is typically the biggest highlight (laughs).
Q: What do you do in your free time?
MW: I love going to the beach. I am a huge beach person and enjoy snorkeling a lot. Apart from that, I enjoy painting and baking. I have a little arts and craft room in my house where I go to let my creative juices flow.
Q: How have you changed over the years?
MW: I believe I have matured as a person, but also being more comfortable with my surroundings has allowed me to open up a bit more. Most people know that I am a fierce competitor but I am also a very happy, mellow and carefree spirit.
Q: Share with us your thoughts on the 2013 Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia tournament.
MW: This is my third time here in Malaysia and it is such an interesting place. I am really happy to be playing in the tournament alongside the world’s best female golfers. The KLGCC course is an interesting course and quite a tough one too especially the second and 18th holes (laughs).
Michelle enjoyed her best year as a professional in 2009, earning her first LPGA Tour victory at the Lorena Ochoa Invitational golf tournament in Guadalajara, Mexico. She had already enjoyed five top three finishes in 2009 and helped lead her American countrywomen to victory in the Solheim Cup. In 2010, she won the Canadian Women’s Open. Though in 2013, the American team lost to its European counterparts in the Solheim Cup, taking part in the competition marked a significant milestone in the golfer’s outstanding career. With her talent and dedication to performance, combined with feminine grace with power and technique, she is nonetheless the representative of the new generation of golfers.
The Omega Girl
By Jo Teh
Golf and watches...and the connection? Truth be told, time keeping is crucial in all forms of sports. Style: caught up with sensational American golfer Michelle Wie during her time here for the 2013 Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia tournament in October.
She is possibly the youngest ambassador for a watch brand. Michelle Wie has been the center of attention in the golf world for many years after a prolific amateur career that saw her set a number of records for her accomplishments at a very young age. She has also earned a number of other important distinctions in the game including being the youngest player to qualify for an LPGA tour event at age 13 in 2003, and in the same year, becoming the youngest winner of the US Women’s Amateur Public Links.
With such accolades under her belt, it is not surprising that she was appointed as ambassador for renowned watch brand Omega in 2006, and the youngest ever, at that. Her drive and determination on the golf course and her precocious combination of strength and precision automatically made her an ideal member of the brand’s talented family of spokespersons.
Q: You are the youngest ambassador for Omega, tell us a little about your relationship with Omega.
Michelle Wie (MW): I am of course aesthetic to be made brand ambassador and joining the likes of other ambassadors such as George Clooney, Cindy Crawford, Zhang Ziyi, James Bond, Daniel Craig and Nicole Kidman. Omega has worked actively to promote golf as a global sport and the brand is like a family to me. They have been very supportive of every decision that I’ve made and they take great care of me. No matter where I go with Omega, I am always made to feel welcome and at home.
Q: How many Omega watches do you own?
MW: I have quite a number of Omega watches (laughs). They are all locked up in a vault in my home in Florida. I have a different watch for every occasion and of course I do have my favourites which are the Speedmaster and Seamaster. These were the first I started with when I was signed on as ambassador. I also adore the Ladymatic (the watch Michelle wore for the 2013 Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia). And I find it fun to look at my watches every now and then. Sometimes, I would just take all of them out and look through each, one by one, and see the history behind each piece. Also, I never take off my watch! I am always wearing one!
Q: What are some of the Omega values that you share with your own life?
MW: To me, Omega is class and respect. When I look at Omega watches, I am reminded of who I want to be. It encourages and motivates me to be a pioneer. I keep the values of Omega very close to heart.
Q: What are some of the major highlights that took place in your life aside golf?
MW: I recently graduated from Stanford University with a degree in communications. It was a challenge to combine studies and a career as a professional golfer but I really did love being a college student when I was away from the golf course. The switching of roles was sometimes logistically difficult but it was worth it. I consider myself lucky to have had the opportunity to pursue both my career on the golf course and my passion in the classroom at the same time. This is typically the biggest highlight (laughs).
Q: What do you do in your free time?
MW: I love going to the beach. I am a huge beach person and enjoy snorkeling a lot. Apart from that, I enjoy painting and baking. I have a little arts and craft room in my house where I go to let my creative juices flow.
Q: How have you changed over the years?
MW: I believe I have matured as a person, but also being more comfortable with my surroundings has allowed me to open up a bit more. Most people know that I am a fierce competitor but I am also a very happy, mellow and carefree spirit.
Q: Share with us your thoughts on the 2013 Sime Darby LPGA Malaysia tournament.
MW: This is my third time here in Malaysia and it is such an interesting place. I am really happy to be playing in the tournament alongside the world’s best female golfers. The KLGCC course is an interesting course and quite a tough one too especially the second and 18th holes (laughs).
Michelle enjoyed her best year as a professional in 2009, earning her first LPGA Tour victory at the Lorena Ochoa Invitational golf tournament in Guadalajara, Mexico. She had already enjoyed five top three finishes in 2009 and helped lead her American countrywomen to victory in the Solheim Cup. In 2010, she won the Canadian Women’s Open. Though in 2013, the American team lost to its European counterparts in the Solheim Cup, taking part in the competition marked a significant milestone in the golfer’s outstanding career. With her talent and dedication to performance, combined with feminine grace with power and technique, she is nonetheless the representative of the new generation of golfers.