University of Minnesota Athletics
Peronnin Gets Ready for Universiades
8/17/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Recent graduate Emie Peronnin has been selected to represent france at the upcoming Universiade Taipei 2017. The competition in Taiwan, which begins next week on the golf course, features university-aged athletes from around the world in a host of sports. GopherSports.com recently caught up with the Fréjus, France native to discuss the tournament and more.
What have you been up to since graduating in May?
Well, I moved back home in the South of France, not a bad place to enjoy the summer :). Mostly I have been taking care of my injury that I have dragged on for over a year. I have seen some of the best specialists and sports doctors and I think I should be back to 100% by the end of September. I have also been competing in small competition in order to prepare for the Universiades (which stands for University Olympiades).
How did you get involved in participating in this event?
I think I was approached by the French Federation during the spring semester, they told me I was pre-selected to the team and they would make a decision in June. After my strong finish in the spring, they called me back to tell me that I was selected along two other women to represent France at the Universiades in Taipei. I was thrilled, it was one of my goals for the season. I am very excited to participate in this event that will gather about 12,000 athletes from all over the globe.
Is this your first time competing for France, or do you have past experience to draw from?
It is not my first time, in fact I represented France last summer at the World University Championships. During the world championship, the coaches from the French federation talked about the Universiades and how amazing it was. They told me if I had another good season I will most likely be selected again. It is a very special feeling to represent your country, to wear your nation's color and compete against players from all over the world. I had a previous experience representing France but I was much younger, I played in the French team U16 in a match against Norway, Italy, Austria but it was a long time ago. I am very happy I have been able to represent France again.
How do you think the strong finish to your college career will help you?
I hope I can bring back the momentum I had at the Big Ten Championship and perform well in another big tournament. I know I have the abilities to score low on difficult courses. After my strong finish I have more confidence in my abilities and I think this is what can help me the most.
Has Coach Redman, or any past teammates, given you any advice about competing at an international level like this?
Coach Redman, Coach Cleary and I have been talking about competing at an international level and a professional level even before I came to Minnesota, it was my main objective for my college career. Both of them have guided me during my entire college career to reach this objective. I think at one point they believed that I was capable of competing at the highest level more than I did myself, and that is what kept me going. During my last Big Ten Championship, I remember on the last hole both coaches walked with me and told me that the game I played that week was the game they knew all along I was capable of and the game that will take me to the next level. I think more than advice, Coach Redman and Coach Cleary have shown me their confidence in my abilities and talent. One of the biggest pieces of advice I take from Coach Redman is to trust my talent and abilities, to know that I am capable of competing at the highest level and never being afraid of playing my best golf.
Do you hope to continue playing golf professionally? If not, what's next?
I definitely hope to play golf professionally, I should compete in the Ladies European Tour qualifying school at the end of the year, given that I am completely healed and back at 100% but this is definitely the GOAL. I doubted it at some point because of my injury and I was going to turn toward different careers. However, Coach Redman told me a couple months ago or so I should try and give it shot. She believes I can make it and with all her professional experience she thinks I have what it takes. I owe to myself, my parents for all their efforts through the years and the coaches to give my best in pursuing a career as a professional golfer.
Anything else you'd like to add?
I would like to thank all the people that helped me throughout my four years because they helped me to get to the point I am at in my life right and I could not have done it without them. I want to thank all the people in the athletics department and all the boosters and people that support the women's golf program. Go Gophers!
Players Mentioned
