Golfer Gerome forgoes college to pursue professional dreams

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SPORTS • THE PRESS, NORTH RIDGEVILLE PRESS, WEST LIFE • MARCH 16, 2016
SPORTS • THE PRESS, NORTH RIDGEVILLE PRESS, WEST LIFE • MARCH 16, 2016
Any Time Is Tee Time
Golfer Gerome forgoes college to pursue professional dreams
NORTH RIDGEVILLE
By Joe Ostrica
North Ridgeville High School senior Nicole Gerome
is going for it. A standout golfer for the Lady Rangers
since her freshman year, Gerome is foregoing college athletic eligibility to pursue her dream of being a professional golfer.
“I had all the intentions of going to college to play
golf, then move on to play golf as a professional,”
Gerome said. “One day I was given an opportunity to bypass college and go after my dream playing golf now as
my career. With deep consideration of what it takes to go
the next level of being a professional golfer, I knew I
wanted to focus all my time working towards my dream.
“With support of my family, golf coaches, Core 5
Sports and, most importantly, God, I know its a great opportunity I couldn’t pass.”
Core 5 Sports Management is a Cleveland-based consulting, marketing and agency representation firm.
Gerome said she felt comfortable with them while submitting her application for Q School to the LPGA and attempting to secure a spot on the Symetra Tour starting
in the fall 2016.
“I love their core principles, which are honesty, integrity, dedication, perseverance and teamwork,”
Gerome said. “They believe in me and feel I can reach
my goals and bring enjoyment of golf for all to watch.
“Q School is qualifying golf tournaments. All qualifying tournament finalists win a membership for the following season - known as a tour card - to be able to play
on most tour events.”
A Division I state qualifier her junior year at North
Ridgeville, Gerome finished among the top 30 in her first
trip to the state championship. Despite Ohio’s nonfriendly weather for golfers during the winter season,
Gerome said she has been able to remain active in improving her game.
“I have a practice net and putting green set up in my
garage for the winter,” she said. “I also travel to different
states to play golf tournaments. I have a certified golf
strength trainer, Jeff Yannarell, who meets with we twice
a week in my home. Then I meet twice a week with my
swing coach, a pro at Cossett Creek named Darren Butler.
They are both helping me to be stronger and have more
accuracy in my game.”
Gerome said her goals for the summer are to keep
training, getting stronger and developing more endurance.
“Of course I want to enjoy being able to play the game
I love,” she said. “I can not express how excited I am to
be able to continue to play the game of golf. I look forward to traveling and being able to play on golf courses
all over the United States.
“Nothing is better than stepping onto the first tee, taking in all the beauty of the golf course and be blessed to
be able to play such a beautiful sport.”
Nicole Gerome follows through on her swing, and hopes that swing takes her to many competitions and courses throughout the country.
‘I knew I wanted to focus
all my time working towards
my dream.’
– North Ridgeville High School
senior Nicole Gerome
North Ridgevill
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smiles when sh s Nicole Gerome (and friend
Stitch of Disne
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Nicole Gerom
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All photos courtesy of the Gerome family
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