WHEAT RIDGE, NORTH COLORADO: Paige Spiranac, who has garnered a massive following for her unique blend of golfing prowess and online charisma, recently treated her devoted fanbase to a trip down the memory lane of her career.
The golf influencer took to her Instagram Story to share some of her earliest posts, allowing her followers a firsthand glimpse into her humble beginnings in the field.
As Spiranac navigated through her digital archive, she recounted the treasured memories from her early days on the golf course, reflecting on the moments that laid the foundation for her remarkable career transformation into a social media star.
Paige Spiranac takes her followers through the journey of being a golf influencer
Paige Spiranac took to her Instagram to share several stories, the first of which was dedicated to the start of her career in 2015 from the hallowed grounds of San Diego State University (SDSU).
In the post, she can be seen practicing her golf swing, sporting what she dubbed as "untraditional clothes," hinting at her current golfing outfits often deemed as daring.
Spiranac opened up about her experience as a collegiate golfer at SDSU and how her fashion choices reflected both comfort and the more relaxed dress code of the time.
"Let's run it back to 2015. As a collegiate golfer at SDSU, I started sharing golf videos and pictures. I wore untraditional golf clothes because that's how I've always felt comfortable and tried to show a different side to the game. I grew up playing on munis where the dress code wasn't as strict," she wrote, captioning the picture.
Spiranac then shared a video with a heartfelt caption that read, "This video was in 2015 before my life changed," pointing out that back then she was still in the beginning days of her career.
In the stories, the golf influencer candidly discussed the changes she had made in her lifestyle and her choice of clothing, all of which had a profound impact on her confidence and, as a result, her career trajectory.
She even shared the memory of playing on the same Colorado golf course around eight years ago as a college student.
Spiranac also shed light on a pivotal moment in her social media journey that catapulted her into the spotlight, revealing that it all began when an article about her started making waves on the Internet, instantly transforming her online presence.
"In July of 2015 everything changed. An article was written about me which went viral. I went from having 500 followers to almost 100k overnight," wrote the social media star, adding, "At this time there was no such thing as the "IG golf girl" and no blueprint of what to do."
In September 2015, Spiranac's life took an exciting turn as she started to receive endorsement requests from prominent golf companies. These requests played a significant role in shaping her current career as a golf influencer.
"At this time there were only two paths. You play professional golf or go into broadcasting. I always felt people were trying to put me into one box or the other. But I wanted to do digital content and to play," stated the star in the post.
In 2017, she made the decision to step away from professional golf and channel her time and energy into developing a flourishing social media career.
In her own words, Spiranac acknowledged that this transition wasn't without its challenges, recalling the criticism she received, which, as she humorously noted, still comes her way.
However, she emphasized that every bit of that journey has been worth it, as she's witnessed the remarkable progress and growth of the sport she's passionate about.
She wrote, "I received so much s**t (still I do lol) but it's been all worth it to see how golf is progressing and growing."
Unveiling Paige Spiranac's career trajectory: From gymnastics injury to golf scholarships
Paige Spiranac's remarkable journey in the world of golf began at the age of 12 when a gymnastics injury altered the course of her life. As her dreams of being a gymnast took an unexpected detour, she found solace and passion on the golf course.
Her junior golf career in Colorado was nothing short of impressive, marked by victories in five events and the ultimate reward of a scholarship to the prestigious University of Arizona.
College transitions and triumphs
During her freshman year at the University of Arizona, Paige Spiranac took her first steps onto the college golfing scene, participating in three events. Later, she made a pivotal decision to transfer to San Diego State University, where her career in professional golfing flourished.
Her talent came to the fore when she clinched a top-ten finish at the Mountain West Championship and secured a monumental victory at the 100th Colorado Women's Golf Association Match Play Championship, defeating Brittany Fan in a memorable showdown in 2015.
Turning pro and the Cactus Tour
In 2016, Paige Spiranac made the bold leap to turn professional, embarking on a journey that would take her to the competitive greens of the Cactus Tour. While her professional career has seen its share of challenges, she remains steadfast in her pursuit of excellence.
Throughout her journey, Spiranac's determination and love for golf have been unwavering both as a professional player and a social media influencer.
