Gerina Piller is a professional golf player who plays for the Ladies Professional Golf Association.
She began playing golf at the age of 15 and won the state golf championship in 2003.
She became a professional golfer after distinguishing herself as an excellent player while in college at the University of Texas-El Paso in 2007.
After seeing the United States to her largest comeback victory of history in 2005, this 5 feet, 7 inches golfer has been named one of the top American golfers in the world.
Representing the United States of America thrice at the Solheim Cup and twice at the Rio Olympic Games and once at the LPGA’s International Crown, Gerina is undoubtedly one of the best and longest-lasting golfers on Tour.
Brief Biography Of Gerina Piller
She was born on the 29th of March 1985 in Roswell, New Mexico, United States.
Her full name is Gerina Michelle Mendoza Piller.
She attended Goddard High School before moving on to college at the University of Texas.
She is married to a fellow golf player who competes on PGA and Korn Ferry tours.
Gerina and her husband have been married since 2011.
On the 26th of April 2018, they welcomed their first child, a boy whom they named Ajeo James Piller.
10 Facts About Gerina Piller
Gerina’s Attempts And Failure
Gerina Piller attempted to qualify for the LPGA Tour twice but failed both times.
She eventually earned conditional status on the LPGA Tour for 2010.
She played at the Symetra Tour for three seasons after graduating and afterward earned her LPGA Tour card.
Gerina Piller Played Other Sports
Gerina was really good at sports.
As her mum couldn’t afford golf while she was growing up, she had to play the same sports as her brothers.
She grew up playing baseball, basketball, and volleyball.
Coming from the hometown of Roswell which is considered to be the birthplace of many sports legends in the world, this is no surprise.
Gerina was good at volleyball and golf but started off playing volleyball and was a success.
She even played on a championship volleyball team.
She realized she was more fulfilled with golf and had to make a switch.
She Started Playing Golf Late
Gerina started playing golf at the age of 15 and by this time, it was already considered late as most of her peers began the journey at an early age, playing in the AJGA’s.
However, Gerina didn’t and couldn’t even recognize some of the top Junior golf players at the time.
Due to this lateness, she was not recruited by colleges to play with them and she never traveled to the junior-golf-circuit.
Gerina’s Junior Championship Experience
When Gerina arrived at the driving range during the Junior PGA Championship, she was flabbergasted by the show of support and love.
She did not know people knew her and would be rooting for her.
She saw her name on placards and got hyperventilated.
Playing at this championship made her really anxious and freaked her out.
She Grew Up Under The Protection Of Child Welfare
Gerina and her siblings were products of the care of Child welfare.
Her parents separated when she was just 4 years old and she and her siblings had to be put under child welfare guidance.
Her mum eventually decided to right her wrongs and took to cater for them.
Gerina Piller’s ‘BIG BREAK’
She featured in the ‘Big Break Prince Edward Island’ show in 2009.
It was a reality TV show broadcast by the Golf Channel for athletes hoping to make a big break into sports and athletics.
Gerina Piller emerged runner up losing to Derek, the only male to make it to the finals.
Gerina Piller’s Connection With Legendary Golfer Nancy Lopez
Nancy Lopez is retired but is still considered a legend and hero in the golf scene
Gerina and Nancy not only hail from the same hometown, but they also attended the same high school.
Gerina names Nancy as her biggest golfing hero.
Her Stepdad Helped In Her Journey To Being A Golfer
Gerina’s mum remarried and while Gerina was sorting out for college applications, Gerina’s stepdad helped her put together a VHS tape to send to the colleges she was applying to.
Gerina needed a full scholarship as she wanted to go to college and she had two priorities in mind while picking the college to attend.
The priorities she had were a school that would challenge her academically and that had a golf team where she could play and be made a better player.
She eventually ended up at the University of Texas which turned out to be just what she needed.
Inspired By Her Mother
When Gerina, her mum, and two brothers moved to Portales, New Mexico, her mom began to better her life.
Gerina’s mum enrolled in Easter New Mexico University to get a university degree in order to be a PE Coach and positively change the bodies and minds of school kids.
Although her mum couldn’t afford to give them all they wanted at the time, the fact that she did not quit trying to be a better version of herself neither did she pause her life and dreams made Gerina draw inspiration from her.
Gerina says she wants to be like her mum and let her son grow up knowing that she did not quit playing golf because she had him.
She wants her son to see her play and win and not just hear tales of how good she was at golf.
Gerina Piller Had The Best Coach
When Gerina Piller joined the University of Texas, she joined the golf team coached by Jere Pelleteir.
Her coach saw a lot of potentials in her and thought it wise to give her a scholarship.
He was her swing coach who helped her win 4 tournaments in her senior year.
Apart from being an extremely good golf player, she graduated and earned a degree in Mathematics.
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