Everyone in Germany knows Bernhard Langer, many know Martin Kaymer and some have also heard of the “golf punk” Marcel Siem. But on August 10, 2024, Esther Henseleit came into the spotlight: The young woman from Varel in Friesland became the first German golfer to win a medal at the Olympic Games.
Esther Henseleit finally has some time off after such a long and grueling season, is visiting home with her fiancé Reece Philipps and is then back on the road with golf. The 25-year-old has thrown herself into her usual outfit with a peaked cap and sponsor labels and is advertising the German Masters. The only professional golf tournament for women in Germany, which will take place in Winsen an der Luhe for the first time next year.
“It means a lot to me to be able to play in front of friends, my family and hopefully a lot of golf fans,” said Henseleit, relaxed and full of anticipation. She won’t just be there from June 26th to 29th. She will be the main attraction.
Olympic final round as if in a frenzy
The fact that things have come this far for the golfer from Varel in Friesland has everything to do with August 10, 2024. The day on which she went into the final round of the Olympic golf tournament in Paris with an almost hopeless five shots behind the medal positions.
“It was clear to me that I had to do something very special if I wanted to have another chance,” she told NDR looking back. And she did special things from the start. Played two birdies on the first two holes, which are lined with fearsome water hazards, and reduced the deficit to just three shots. After that everything felt like a dream. “It was unbelievable how many German spectators were there cheering me on. I had never experienced anything like that before.”
Buoyed by this support, Henseleit made good one shot after the other. And halfway through the lap, the blatant outsider was suddenly in the top group. “I saw it on the big scoreboard. Many professionals say they prefer not to look at it so as not to put themselves under pressure. But I’m far too curious. And that spurred me on.”
A good two hours later, Henseleit finished the round with two more birdies, played the second best round of the day with 66 strokes and actually won the Olympic silver medal behind New Zealand’s Lydia Ko. The crowning glory is the award ceremony. “It was so nice to experience this together with Lydia and Xiu. They are two of the nicest colleagues ever, it was wonderful.”
Sponsors are lining up for silver
The unique experience of Paris was now four and a half months ago. But Henseleit still feels the effects almost every day. Her name has become a household name in the sports world. Her manager Christian Reimbold puts it this way: “Esther is now known beyond the golf bubble. There are so many more inquiries from the media and sponsors.”
This means that success is also financially worthwhile, which is not a given in women’s golf. The decisive factors were the successes in the major tournaments and participation in the Solheim Cup. But above all, of course, winning the silver medal. “We now even have to reject sponsorship offers because there are too many.”
“There was definitely more attention and I’m trying to use that for good. If the medal inspires young golfers to chase their dreams then I’ll be very happy.”
—Esther Henseleit
At the press conference in Winsen an der Luhe, Henseleit had the silver medal with him. For the first time in this eventful year she has the opportunity to show the difficult piece to family and friends. After the Olympics, back in August, things continued straight away. With tournaments in Scotland and North America. And of course the Solheim Cup. The continent comparison between Europe and the USA, the counterpart to the Ryder Cup for men.
“It was also a childhood dream come true. It was a great honor that I was able to hit the very first tee shot of the event. And we put a lot of pressure on the Americans on the last day. It’s a shame that we didn’t quite make it.”
Reece Phillips – one man, three roles
It was a year in which everything worked out. Also private. Henseleit got engaged to her long-time boyfriend Reece Philipps. He embodies three roles in one person. Partner, trainer and caddy. Both of them are basically always together and they enjoy it. They haven’t yet thought about a fourth role, that of father. “The first priority is clearly golf. The other things still have time.”
She experiences how it works in her direct professional golf environment. Both Carolin Masson and Sophia Popov have had children in recent years and have returned to the professional tour after a break. “I have a lot of respect for that. Sophia is one of my best friends. She lives only ten minutes away in Arizona and we spend a lot of time together. The way she and Caro do it, being a mother and playing professional golf at the same time, is amazing.”
Goal for 2025: First victory on the American Tour
Nevertheless, neither of them are direct role models. At 25, Henseleit is also seven and ten years younger than Popov and Masson. And even without children, her life is stressful enough. The six weeks of winter break that she spends in Europe come at just the right time. Recharge your batteries for the next year, which isn’t quite as full of highlights. She still has goals: “I want to win my first tournament on the American tour next year.”
But before that, golf should play a subordinate role for a few weeks. Enjoying the Christmas season and the New Year in Europe is the number one goal.
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12/27/2024 | 11:17 am
