Sitting Down With UM Women's Golf: Christina and Jennifer Hirano
March 12, 2009
Christina and Jennifer Hirano, a sophomore and freshman, respectively, are members of the University of Miami golf team. They are originally from Pinole, California, and attended Acalanes High School before coming to Miami. Both Christina and Jennifer have been amongst the Hurricanes top players this year in helping the team achieve greater heights of success, including a share of first place at the Edwin Watts/ Kiawah Island Classic at Cougar Point Golf Club (S.C.). The College of Charleston hosted the tournament this past February.
I sat down with Christina and Jennifer to find out more about their childhood roots, thoughts on their head coach and the Miami golf program, and how they have used each other as motivation to compete.
What drew you to travel across the country to play golf at the University of Miami?
Christina: “What drew me to play here were the courses and the coach. I’ve been coming to Miami for about 12 years and always have played in golf tournaments here. I loved the Miami area so I just really wanted to come to school here and play.”
Jennifer: “It was a lot easier for my mom, and I being Christina was already here for a year. Coach [Lela] Cannon was also a big factor and the team was pretty fresh to start with having young players.”
You’ve seen young golfers like Michelle Wie forgo college and pursue a professional career. Was there any pressure not to enroll in college take your own chances playing at the pro level?
C: “Not for me. I always wanted to go to college and get my degree first and then turn pro. You never know what happens just in case something doesn’t work out.”
J: “I’ve definitely thought about it, but for me it was always to go to college first. Similar to Christina, you need something to fall back on.”
Describe what kind of mindset you have had to achieve such great success so far and become leaders of the UM golf team.
C: “I was always very competitive with my sister and that really kept me going. I’ve had some really good years in high school and I just want to play as well now.”
J: “I was also determined to go to college and to play well. Christina was always good competition for me growing up, which has always helped with my mentality and focus.”
Christina, was there added pressure as a freshman as Acalanes to consistently succeed during the team’s undefeated season in 2003-2004?
C: “Not really. After we won the first two tournaments, we had so much confidence that we were going to win. We knew we were going to shoot well and win and have fun out there. That really helped us a great deal.”
Jennifer, what was your experience like playing in the 2008 Women’s Amateur Tournament? How did it compare to tournaments you’ve play here at UM?
J: “It was a step up for me. I made Women’s Am a year before but didn’t make the cut. It was a huge motivation to make it the following year after that. Those tournaments helped me a lot and prepared me to play here and deal with the competition in college tournaments.”
How has Coach Lela Cannon helped you since coming to Miami?
C: “Coach Cannon was a psychology major. She helps us more mentally rather than just our techniques when playing. She teaches us to let things go when you make mistakes and to compose yourself better.”
J: “If I’m ever having a bad round, she always sticks with me until the end. Mentally, she helps a lot by always being as positive as possible. She’s a fun coach, too. She is really young at heart.”
Describe how it was when you first started playing golf at a young age.
C: “I started when I was 8 years old. I remember when my grandfather took us out on the driving range. I fell in love with the game so I started practicing every day. My first tournament was a big international tournament in San Diego. My mom had signed me up not knowing this was one of the most prestigious tournaments, and the first day I was actually paired up with Tiger Woods’ niece. She just told me to have fun.”
J: “I started the year after she did. I didn’t really like it at first, but then I saw how much success and attention she was getting so I decided to stick with it. It grew on me and I started to love it very quickly.”
What is your favorite course to play on or where would you most like to play?
C: “Pebble Beach. I’ve met so many people there, from other amateurs to pros. I have a lot of memories on that course.”
J: “TPC at Sawgrass. I’m really looking forward to playing there sometime soon.”
What is one thing your sister has taught you to help your golf game?
C: “She has taught me how to fight and not give up even when you’re down. She is one of the feistiest people out there. You can just see it in her eyes.”
J: “Ever since I was little, I’ve always been a fast player and finished rounds so quickly. She definitely taught me how to slow down a lot. That helped me to think more about what I’m doing when playing.”
Who is your number one role model in your life?
C: “I take a little bit of something from each person. From my mom, she is so dedicated in whatever she does and never gives up. My grandfather is really strict with himself; he’s a perfectionist so that rubbed off on me. My dad teaches me to be humble and be modest.”
J: “Same answer. They all collectively helped up each step of the way.”
If you could play a round of 18 with three people, who would they be?
C: “Ernie Els, Jack Nicklaus, and Channing Tatum [actor]”
J: “Ben Crenshaw (again), Tiger Woods, and Phil Mickelson”
Who would win in a head to head match-up between you two?
C: “I couldn’t really tell you, it would be really close. We’re both very competitive with each other, so it can go either way.”
J: “It would be a toss up. I think I’ve made up some serious ground the last few years so it’s always close now.”
Christina and Jennifer, as well as the rest of the Miami Hurricanes Golf team will compete in two more tournaments, at Georgia State on March 30-31, and at home in Miami Lakes on April 6-7, before heading to Greensboro, N.C. to compete in the ACC Championships on April 17-19.
