About 10 years ago I was part of a team tasked with coordinating a charity golf tournament. I was one of just two women on a committee of ten who gathered to brainstorm a list of local celebrities to invite that would draw golfers and givers. This is where I first heard the name Lisa Longball. We put together a list of some pretty tough and notable folks; wrestlers, pro football and hockey players, politicians, but none struck as much fear in the hearts of the men around the table as did Lisa. I didn’t know Lisa then, but at that moment she unwittingly became my hero.
A Nike sponsored athlete, currently ranked top five in the world, seven time long drive champion and first woman to ever hit over 350 yards (3 ½ NFL Football fields) in competition are just a few of the accolades this native Calgarian has earned. During the busiest time of the year for a golf superstar, Lisa wasn’t too busy to chat with us.
DWM: Before you earned the ‘Longball’ moniker, you already had an impressive athletic career underway including track, competitive trampoline and tumbling. How did you make the leap to golf?
LL: My father introduced me to the game at the age of 13. I went to one Junior night with 60 boys and me. The pro told me to go hit my 6 iron while he worked with the boys all night. I quit until University where my boyfriend Anton, now husband, had just graduated and was invited to play at corporate and charity outings. He dragged me to the local municipal course and I fell in love with the game.
DWM: Was this always a part of the career plan? If not, when did you realize this was going to be a career path worth nurturing?
LL: After graduation I became an elementary school teacher. I truly believe teaching is a vocation. Having the summers off I would play as a single and my turning point is when the LPGA came to Calgary and I volunteered. It was watching the best female golfers in the world play that made me want to compete. I couldn’t break 100 to save my life but luckily there are competitions for people who can’t break 100.
Once I started competing against women I found I was 80-100 yards past them. I saw an advertisement for a long drive completion and entered. I won city championships with a 313 yard drive, hit 330 at provincial championships won my first National title and came 7th in the world all in one year! It was soon after that my husband said “Lisa you have a limited chance to be the best in the world at something give it a shot!” The rest is history.
DWM: What does a typical week look like for a golf rock star?
LL: Some weeks are more exciting than others but on one of my busiest weeks this summer I hopped on a plane on a Monday to fly in for a charity golf event. I was picked up and went directly to the golf course to play in 2 separate pro-am 9 hole games with sponsors from the event. The next morning I conducted clinics in driving, chipping and putting and then did an exhibition for all the tournament guests. For the next 5 hours I drove around the course hitting shots for guests and raising money for numerous charities.
I grabbed the last flight home that evening and was on the tee at 8 am the next morning for a corporate golf tournament. I hit balls for guests on a designated hole and raised money for charity and spoke at the dinner. I had a day to pack and have a wonderful mom and son day then the next day off to Reno, Nevada for the PGA Tour event the Reno, Tahoe Open. After landing I played 18 holes with the director of golf and got the overview of the event. The next day I was honored to do a clinic with famed golfer Annika Sorenstam. After my 1 hour clinic I gave my keynote speech “Drive Determines Distance” to the audience talking about how I went from a high handicap recreational golfer to the 7 time Canadian Long Drive Champion. I was honored to get a standing ovation. Next morning I took the first flight home so I could pick my little guy up. It is a whirl wind at times but I love it!
DWM: What are some of the key elements to successfully managing your commitments; family life, touring, speaking engagements and so much more?
LL: I have to be organized. My husband and I sit down every couple of weeks and go through our calendars making sure we have all the events, times, locations pickups and drop offs. I couldn’t do it without an amazingly supportive husband who is so good with our son. I book all my own travel so I can pick when and where I fly out of and I always know where I am going to be and if something is too tight timing wise.
DWM: Do you face many obstacles as woman in what has historically been a male dominated sport?
I think what is at times frustrating is when I am at a corporate or charity golf outing and the audience is typically 75 to 80% male I will at times get inappropriate comments, especially if there is a host bar. Guys will ask about my golf equipment and follow it up with “You want to see an extra stiff shaft baby”. If I had a dollar for every time I heard that, boy oh boy. The worst thing is these guys would be mortified if someone spoke to their wife or daughter that way. I keep my cool and don’t buy into the lude comments.
I also find I am held to a different set of standards. A gentleman who does what I do in terms of golf entrainment and speaking is expected to drink a pitcher of beer with the boys and stay out until 3 am. If I do that I am considered the drunken floozy, even if I do nothing inappropriate. It is not fair but it is reality. I have been to over 300 events as Lisa Longball, and I protect my brand voraciously. I know that no one can say one negative thing about my behavior or actions. It often means calling it an early night and watching a cheesy movie in my hotel room with room service but it is worth it!
DWM: Has this impacted the way you approach the sport or the decisions you’ve made on this journey so far?
LL: Definitely as a business woman if I am ever in doubt I always take the high road and bow out early. As for a competitor the women’s division is quite close-knit and so we all end up going out for lunches and dinners when on the road which is great!
DWM: Do you have a mentor or someone who inspires you?
I would have to say my mom. She absolutely taught me who I am and gave me the values that have carried me so far. She taught me about hard work, honesty and to always give your best. She also taught me to always be true to myself. People tease me that I am high energy. I often get asked how many coffees or Red Bulls I have had, neither of which I drink. I love life and am passionate about what I do because my mom gave me so many opportunities to express myself. She always had my back and went to bat for me. I also credit her for helping me be the best mom I can be. I catch myself constantly saying things to my son she said to me and parenting the exact same way. She is amazing and is my biggest cheerleader!
DWM: Name your guilty pleasure.
LL: That is easy! A Chai Tea custom latte with a warmed up ginger molasses cookie from Starbucks!
DWM: Name your best and worst ‘Martha’ moment.
LL: Best – The year I resigned my school teaching position to become a professional long driver I decided I needed to prove I was domestic in my off-season. I took on the task of cooking a turkey. I only made it for my husband and me in case it was awful as I am not highly regarded for my culinary abilities. I rocked it and it even had a great tan to it. My husband and I had turkey for weeks after that!
Worst – I wanted to make a lemon meringue pie to impress my family and husband. I bought one of those pre-made frozen shells and then hand-made the filling and meringue whip cream. I peaked it perfectly with my fork, baked it for the time it recommended until the tips of my meringue were golden brown. It looked like a master piece. I was so proud to serve it…until everyone took their first bite! The shell was all doughy. Apparently you have to cook the shell separately and THEN do the filling and topping. Who knew??? Baking fail!
DWM: We’re pretty sure you’re already doing it, but if you could get paid to anything for a living, what would it be?
I honestly have the dream job. I get paid to hit golf balls!!! I get to use my teaching back ground to share tips and tricks I have learned to help people with this ever seemingly frustrating game and give them “ah-ha” moments. I get to inspire people from the stage by sharing my story. I talk more about my failures than I do my successes and people really relate to that. When someone tells me I have inspired them to follow a dream or passion they left dormant I am on cloud nine!
If there were any other job I would love to get paid for it would be a professional movie watcher! I love, love, love movies…and popcorn. Ooops! That’s two guilty pleasures 
Be sure to check out Lisa’s website: www.lisalongball.com we’re certain you’ll find her as amazing as we do, and follow her on twitter too: @lisalongball.
