The Solheim Cup brought together some of the finest female golfers in the world. And Chiara Ferrari was in the middle of it as an intern at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Sterling, Virginia, where the 19th Solheim Cup was staged last month.
Even by the standards of her chosen profession, Ferrari’s journey has been characterized by determination and drive.
Appearing on the Wonderful Women of Golf podcast with host Rick Woelfel, she recalls how her turf career was launched.
A native of Italy, Ferrari was studying at the University of Padua when one of her professors asked what was, as it turned out, a life-changing question.
“My professor asked the class, ‘Would you like to go to California for six months?’” she says. “I said, ‘Of course.’ That decision made my journey in the industry start.”
Ferrari headed to the University of California, Riverside, where she completed her thesis on warm-season grasses. From there she returned to Italy and finished her work for a bachelor’s degree in land management and landscape protection.
While continuing her education, she worked as a greenkeeper at Montecchia Golf Club, a 27-hole facility located just outside of Padua and roughly 30 miles west of Venice. While there, she had the chance to volunteer at two Italian Opens and last year’s Ryder Cup.
“I enjoyed the Ryder Cup,” Ferrari says. “It was amazing. A really, really nice experience. I met so many people, (including) women. It’s different in Italy, there are not (so many) women. It was incredible.”
Ferrari adds her tournament experiences have left her with an abundance of memories. “Every time is different. Every time gives me a different feeling, different emotions, and I think different lessons. I really appreciate every tournament that I do.”
Five years after first traveling to the United States, Ferrari returned this past April to begin a six-month internship at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, where she was immersed in Solheim Cup preparations. “I’m very, very happy to work again in the U.S.,” she says.
Ferrari says her time at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club has been a learning experience in part because the club utilizes interns from around the globe. “They appreciate all the interns coming,” she says. “I’ve learned so many things. I’m so happy to be here. I’m so happy to be learning something different every day.”
Ferrari had the opportunity to volunteer at the U.S. Women’s Open at Lancaster Country Club this past spring. As has been the case at other events, she savored the opportunity to engage with the other women who were part of the crew.
“I’m really, really excited for all the women around,” she says. “They have, of course, more experience than me, and that’s why I enjoy all of the moments together and asking about problems on the course, about different lives and different ideas. It’s very, very powerful for me to listen to all the stories. It’s amazing to share all of these stories. In our job, it’s not easy to meet people like that.”
Golf Course Industry spoke with Ferrari two weeks before the Solheim Cup. She was looking forward to the event and reconnecting with some of her friends in the industry who will be part of the crew.
“I can’t wait to see all of my friends from last year,” she says. “I have many friends coming, (including) greenkeepers from Italy. So, I’m really excited to work a special tournament. It’s very important to me for my career.”
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