Maria Verchenova

2010-07-22T21:55:00.000-07:00

July 21, 2010 - Photos by David Cannon/Getty Images Europe

2010-07-22T21:41:00.000-07:00

Maria Verchenova excited about playing at the Evian Masters

2010-07-22T21:25:00.000-07:00

Maria Verchenova excited about playing at the Evian Masters

Maria Verchenova excited about playing at the Evian Masters
by LET
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Maria Verchenova says that she is excited to be competing at this month’s $3,250,000 Evian Masters, presented by Société Générale, which takes place from 22 – 25 July at Evian Masters Golf Club in France.

Just 12 months ago, Maria tied for 73rd place at the tournament playing on an invitation as Russia’s leading golfer.

The 24-year-old from Moscow is one of the world’s top 111 players in the field and will now bid to make her presence felt on the leader boards having received a special invitation again.

She said: “Obviously I’m really thankful for the invite. It’s so great to come back and play with a really strong field. I made the cut last year and I finished really low in the cut so obviously I want to make the cut and finish quite high. My putting is better and my game is better so why not?

“It’s one of the biggest events in the world and to see all the girls who are all the strongest girls in the world; they treat us really well in there and we have really nice dinners and the golf course is good so I think everyone is excited about it.”

She feels that the course, which sits above the banks of Lake Geneva, plays to her strengths.

“It’s really a driving course. I got a little bit longer so you’ve got to drive it straight, which is one of my strengths. Putting is the main thing down there so I’ll be working on that,” she said.

Maria’s best performance this year, in her third season on the Ladies European Tour, was tied 12th at the Lalla Meryem Cup in Morocco, however she also tied for ninth at the Comunitat Valenciana European Nations Cup in Spain, whilst playing alongside fellow Russian Anastasia Kostina, who plays on the US based Duramed Futures Tour.

“I had a good start and then I fell down,” explained Maria. “I had a few injuries. I’m coming back and my putting and driving is better. I played okay in Tenerife so it’s a good start for the Evian.”

After becoming the first Russian to compete at the Ricoh Women’s British Open in 2008, Maria is used to breaking barriers on the course and hopes to continue to blaze a trail, inspiring would-be golfers from her country.

Maria White Dress

2010-06-28T11:48:00.001-07:00

Pitched
Originally uploaded by poodlegolf

New Pic

2010-06-28T11:47:00.001-07:00

Maria
Originally uploaded by poodlegolf

Maria misses cut at Deutsche Bank Ladies Swiss Open

2010-06-28T11:37:00.000-07:00

Maria shot rounds of 74 - 73 to miss the cut at the Ladies European Tour Event. The event was won by Lee-Ann Pace.

Article on Maria from Ladies Europen Tour

2010-04-16T09:36:00.000-07:00

Russian Team looks forward to “one of the best events of the year”
by LET
http://www.ladieseuropeantour.com/content/let_content_news.php?Id=25381

Maria Verchenova and Anastasia Kostina love the Comunitat Valenciana European Nations Cup. In fact, Maria loves it so much that she says: “It’s one of the best events of the year!”

The Russian duo teamed up in the event for the first time in 2009, when they finished in 17th position. Despite being fairly low on the leader board, they made a number of new fans at La Sella Resort in Dénia, Alicante and can’t wait to get back there next week for the 2010 tournament.

Kostina said: “I look forward to playing the Comunitat Valenciana European Nations Cup all year long. And there are many reasons why. First of all, I always loved playing team events. It is a great honour to be able to represent my country. Second, the Comunitat Valenciana European Nations Cup is probably the best run tournament I have played in.

“The organisers and the tournament staff do an amazing job of taking care of all the players, which makes us feel very special. The atmosphere of the tournament is great. We also get to play a very nice golf course: La Sella in Dénia. Since I have played the European Nations Cup the last two years I know the golf course and know what to expect. So I have been practising the different shots I think I will need for that course.”

The 24-year-old from Nakhabino in Russia also competed at the inaugural event in 2008 with her sister Maria, finishing in a very creditable sixth position, but she also knows Maria Verchenova well from their days playing amateur golf.

“I know Maria very well and I am very excited to play the European Nations Cup with her again this year. We played a lot of amateur golf together. Unfortunately we have not played much together since we both turned pro as I have played mostly in USA and Maria in Europe. I think our games will complement each other. I think our chances are very good,” she said.

Verchenova, who tied for 12th place at the recent Lalla Meryem Cup in Morocco, where she led after the first round, was also looking forward to playing with her partner: “The event is so much fun! It’s great to play as a team, because we hardly ever do it, since we play professional golf.

The 24-year-old from Moscow added: "Me and Anastasia have known each other for a long time. We played amateur golf together and had been playing for The Russian team but she went to America and I stayed in Europe, so we didn’t see each other a lot. But it’s great to get back to the time when we played team events a long time ago. It’s one of the events where we can all get together, have fun and enjoy good golf."

“We will try to win but it’s hard to say, because we hardly ever practise together. I think the main part is being a team, just getting in the right mood and fighting for it.”

Format of play for the 18-nation event will be fourballs (best ball) on Thursday and Saturday, with Valencian Cup on Friday and Sunday.

Valencian Cup is a variation on the Greensome Chapman System. In the normal Greensome Chapman System, both players tee off and then they switch balls. Player A plays Player Bs drive and vice versa. Usually, they would select the best second shot on every hole, and from that point until the ball is holed they would play one golf ball in alternate shot format.

The difference with the Valencian Cup system is that this system only applies to the par fours. For the par threes, alternative shots are played after the drives. For the par fives, players will hit three shots each, switching balls each time, and will then select the best third shot before playing alternative shots with the same ball for the remainder of the hole.

New Images Added to Gallery

2010-04-05T10:52:00.001-07:00

These and more images added today.

Article on Maria at Golf365.com

2010-04-05T10:36:00.001-07:00

http://www.golf365.com/news_story/0,17923,9786_6036760,00.html

Maria misses cut at Carte Si Ladies Italian Open

2009-10-23T13:01:00.000-07:00

Maria shot 78-76 to miss the cut last weekend.

Maria Verchenova to tee off at 1:25 in Carte Si Italian Open

2009-10-13T07:59:00.000-07:00

Maria Verchenova will tee off at 1:25 for this Thursdays opening round of the Carte Si Ladies Italian Open. Verchenova will be paired with Morgana Robbertze of South Africa and Margherita Rigon of Italy.

The tournament begins Thursday October 15.

Maria Verchenova to Compete at the Carte Si Ladies Italian Open

2009-10-04T19:49:00.000-07:00

10/4/09 posted on http://mariaverchenova.blogspot.com/

Maria Verchenova is in the field for the Carta Si Ladies Italian Open to be held at the Le Rovedine Milano G.C. from October 15th-18th.

Get European TV Streamed to your PC to Watch the Event Live!

Russian professional golfer Maria Verchenova will look to rebound from two consecutive missed cuts when she competes in the Carta Si Ladies Italian Open. The season thus far has been a bit of a mixed bag for Maria as she has only made 4 of 12 cuts. However, she has also gained valuable experience playing both on the European Tour as well as the LPGA Tour.

We do know one thing for certain, Maria will be sure to look every bit the part of star in the making, as she continues to create a buzz with her attractive outfits and great persona.

"I always like to bring something extra special to the golf course, so if I'm wearing sexier more stylish stuff like a shorter skirt or a nice tennis-style dress and people notice then great" - Maria Verchenova

Best of Luck Maria!

Article on Maria in the Chicago Sun Times

2009-10-01T10:30:00.000-07:00

Is Maria Verchenova the new (pretty) face of women's golf?
By Kyle Kosteron May 14, 2009 http://blogs.suntimes.com/cgi-bin/mt-tb.cgi/22724

Quick.

When's the last time you watched women's golf for any extended period of time that didn't include you falling asleep on the couch after watching the college basketball game that preceded it?

I'll go out on a limb and say it's been a while.

Maria Verchenova, a young Russian golfer may give dudes everywhere reason to tune in soon, as she attempts to become to golf what Maria Sharapova is to tennis.
She is not only proving herself a fine player in her own right, she is also paving the way for other young Russian girls - her sister Anna included.

Verchenova admits that tennis star Sharapova is a role model - but she is adamant about the reasons.

Watch Maria on European HD TV Channels!

"I am looking at Maria, not because of the way she looks but because of the way she plays," Verchenova explains. "I think Russian women are strong mentally. They are trying really hard and they are achieving things."

Verchenova is the first Russian to become a full-time member of the Ladies European Tour. She contended against golf heavyweight Anna Sorenstam at the 2008 Dubai Ladies Masters.

I'm not sure how good that makes her. It's been awhile since I watched golf.

What Maria had to say about getting the sponsors exemption for the P&G Beauty Classic.

2009-09-29T14:32:00.000-07:00

"With this being my first LPGA event in the United States, it's exciting, something I want to take advantage of,"
Verchenova said.

Verchenova, who arrived in Northwest Arkansas at 3 a.m. Sunday night after flying from Moscow to Atlanta over the weekend, has been practicing in Germany the last two weeks. To play in this week's event, Verchenova said she's missing three events on the Ladies European Tour — but it's well worth it.

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"This is my goal, I eventually want to play on the LPGA Tour all the time," Verchenova said. "But I'm going to play one more year in Europe and possibly think about (qualifying school) in the future. For now, I'm just trying to play good golf and have fun."

Verchenova spent Monday practicing on the range and playing a round with her caddie, Todd Dunnaway. She said she liked Pinnacle Country Club's renovated course and felt she had a chance to be a serious competitor this weekend.

A new yardage book even had to be made for Verchenova on Monday because she didn't understand the yardages — she wanted the lengths in meters.

"I looked at my yardage book and I was all confused, I only understand the metric system," Verchenova said.

Videos

2009-09-29T14:08:00.002-07:00

Quotes From Maria

2009-09-29T13:55:00.000-07:00

"'My dad took me to the Czech Republic when I was 12 and we went for a coffee at a golf club,' Verchenova said. 'The next day we went back and I tried hitting a few balls with a local coach. He said I had a talent for the game and I should play. When I got back we went to Moscow City Golf Club and that's how I started.

'I didn’t even know what golf was when I was young because my family was poor and everybody in Russia is focused on tennis. But thanks to my parents I was given a chance.'"

"Russia doesn’t have programs such as Korea, Japan, countries in Europe or the US have. We have support in tennis and hockey but not in golf so this is something we have to work on. It has been tough for me to get to this level considering the difficulties which came to me along my young career. I wish I could have had more support and experienced people to rely on in the past. But the exciting part is that I can be this person for the next generation and this is priceless! I will do all my best to be a good pioneer and give back."

Career

2009-09-29T13:41:00.000-07:00

Ladies European Tour Career

Career Earnings (Euro) 63,617.42
Tournaments Played 37
Tournaments Won 0
Top Ten Finishes 2
Completed Rounds 101
Low Round 66
Stroke Average 74.65
Total vs. Par +267

LPGA Tour Career

Honda LPGA T37th $9,035
P&G Beauty NW Ark MC 0

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

2007 S4/C Wales Ladies Championship 10th Place
2008 DB Ladies Swiss Open 11th Place
2008 Tenerife Ladies Open 5th Place

Images of Maria

2009-09-29T13:33:00.001-07:00

Maria's Bio

2009-09-29T11:22:00.000-07:00

Bio of Professional Golfer Maria Verchenova

Born: March 27, 1986

Residence: Moscow, Russia

Parents: Vitaly and Galina

Siblings: Anna

University: Russian State University of Sport and Tourism

School: Moscow Ballet School

Favorite Writer: Irwin Shaw

Favorite Poet: William Shakespeare, Boris Pasternak

Favorite Movie: Bodyguard

Favorite Music: Rhythm and Blues, Pop, R&B

Favorite Food: Italian

Favorite Drink: Water

Height: 5-6 (176 cm)