⛳0️⃣5️⃣0️⃣ Léa Pendariès
By Léa Pendariès
Léa Pendariès. Photo: Alexis Orloff, FF Golf
Meet Léa Pendariès, a Franco-American student athlete bridging the transatlantic drives via golf.
Raised in Paris in the early twenty-first century, I’m a Gen Z baby bringing my A game on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean . My dad was a professional golfer and played tournaments on the PGA European tour when I was born, so most of my family activity on weekends and vacations centered around golf. It was one of the only common leisure activities that we all had in common, and – this may surprise many people – it’s a very kid-friendly sport.
Léa and her father, Marc. Photo: Léa Pendariès.
Léa’s Story
I was always surrounded by golf, from the green to the television to when we visited my grandparents (who lived on a golf course). Growing up, I also went to cheer on my dad as he played the pro circuits. So it’s no surprise that I had my first set of plastic clubs as soon as I could walk!
I remember things being very focused on my big brother, Adrien, who also played, but I had friends at the golf course and had lots of fun. Golf was more a leisure activity for me, something that gave structure to my life. When I was five years-old, I played in my first tournament and the game became more about competition as my parents started making family plans around our tournaments.
For me, playing golf in the United States took place even before going to university. Although I grew up in France, part of my family and my grandparents lived in the United States, so it was practical to participate in junior tournaments there during vacations. I also played in the States to get attention from coaches, since my intention (until Covid hit) was to play college golf.
I found that the level of play and quality of courses was better State-side. When I played in the American tournaments, the fields were bigger and more international, and you could feel an atmosphere of pressure. I think it’s very American that everyone wanted to be the best, to have the best equipment, and their parents were much more invested.
“I felt very French when I played in the States, even though I am half American. I remember feeling that the American girls were bigger, hit further, were stronger…the environment was much more competitive.”
There was also a big difference between French and American parents. American parents were very result-oriented, and it was all about being the best. In French tournaments for juniors, parents are less involved. They’re not thinking about the «coveted » scholarship.
Golf also opened my eyes to the fact that America is a consumer country. There was more money and resources, and it made the kids feel like they were like pros being exposed to the beautiful facilities, merchandise, volunteers, goodie bags, mini golf and game rooms, etc… It was way more “professional” in the States, and there was a sense of wanting the parents to feel that they got their money’s worth.
The Sports Diplomacy Connection
I felt very much like a French ambassador when I played in the States, and I was a proud French flag bearer at the Optimist International Junior Golf tournament in Florida.
I made a lot of friends when I played in the States and always made an effort to get to know my fellow competitors. I was told “how cool that you live in France! Why did you come all the way to the States to play? Is golf important in France?” I also tried to dress « French », to bring French snack food to tournaments…I tried to teach them French golf vocabulary! I also had to learn American golf vocabulary to better communicate with other players, so there was a lot of cultural exchanges as well as exchanges regarding the technical side of golf.
Everywhere I go, I take my French norms and culture with me, whether that’s on or off the golf course. Over time, I built relationships with Americans thanks to golf, and I like to share in person or on social media the French way of life.
Mapping the Connection
From Paris, France to Palm Beach Gardens, Florida
References
How to Cite This Entry
Pendariès, Léa. “Voices: Léa Pendariès,” FranceAndUS, https://www.franceussports.com/voices/050-la-pendaris (date of consultation).
Meet the Pendariès
