Small but terrible
Daughter of ex-tennis champ dreams big
Brianna Navarrosa drove two hours from her dormitory at the University of Southern California (USC) to spend the weekend with her Philippine-born parents in San Diego, California.
The 18-year-old daughter and only child of former Philippine Columbian association (PCA) Open tennis champion Ringo Navarrosa and Anchie Alcantara took advantage of a break in training to come home.
“It’s been a while since I last saw them and I missed them and Koda so much,” she said.
Koda is the family dog.
Brianna drives a Toyota Rav4, a gift she received from her parents, both nurses.
She is a freshman at USC where she’s on a golf scholarship, taking up political science.
Although born in the United States, Brianna said she was taught Filipino values by her parents, like touching the back of the elder’s hand to her forehead as a form of paying respect.
“My parents raised me to be the person I am today — respectful, kind and humble,” Brianna said.
She was 12 years old the last time she visited her parents’ hometown in Maasin, Leyte. She hasn’t been to Metro Manila.
Brianna talked about an experience she would never forget during a round she played with her father and grandfather at the Ormoc City golf course.
“I had my own caddie who teed up my ball with sand and saw caribou and farmers on the side,” she said.
That’s when I realized I love competing and meeting other golfers my age as well. After the tournament, the other players and I would hang out and run around and eat hotdogs.
Brianna may have mistaken the carabao for a caribou, a reindeer native to North America.
Caddies are rare in the US.
“Only at the most exclusive country clubs,” she said.
“I was even gonna tee it up myself because I’m not used to having a caddie. But my caddie would run to the tee box and tee it up with sand.”
Brianna knew that her father was a tennis champion who attended the University of Arizona on a tennis scholarship.
“I actually started with tennis then I realized I genuinely had no chance,” she said.
She admitted to being scared with her father on the tennis court. “At six years old, I was running laps,” she chuckled. “I set up cones and did so many forehands and backhands.”
About the same time, Brianna said she would accompany her father at the golf driving range.
“I would bring my coloring books and just watch and sit. Then one day, I was like, oh, I’ll try this out and I guess my swing came naturally,” she recalled.
She had plastic kiddie clubs to swing and did not have a hard time swinging because of similarity with tennis.
At the age of eight, Brianna said she was competing in golf tournaments.
“That’s when I realized I love competing and meeting other golfers my age as well. After the tournament, the other players and I would hang out and run around and eat hotdogs,” she reminisced.
At 10, Brianna said she started beating her father regularly. “I think at first, he was a little taken aback and then he got used to it, but now he’s working on his game a lot since I left for
USC,” she said.
Ringo plays to an eight-handicap.
“We do have friendly wagers when we play together, but it can get intense. Sometimes, he’ll birdie and I’ll par or vice-versa and we won’t talk to each other,” Brianna narrated.
She went on to compete in a few Junior World tournaments, finishing fifth in her last appearance six years ago.
Two years ago, Brianna rallied from four shots down to win the 106th Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship, her second win for the season.
That win earned her an exemption at the 2019 CP Women’s Open, an LPGA event, where she failed to make the cut after shooting 73 and 74.
At the USC, Brianna said her game is at a good state but can always be better.
“I’ve gained yardage, precisely know my yardages, putting, etc. I love USC so much and I have such amazing and dedicated coaches along with the best teammates and hard-working staff,” she said.
Brianna said she spends four to five hours for practice and playing and about three and a half hours when not playing a round.
Her short-term goal is win in the NCAA while keeping good grades at school.
She wants to turn pro and win majors and compete with the big games.
Brianna does not want her five-foot-two frame get in the way of chasing her dreams.
“I want to show talent can come from any size, even from someone as small as me,” said Brianna.
While pursuing her golf career, she said she wants to become a lawyer as a back-up plan.
Brianna said she only has two idols — her father and grandfather.
It’s been a while since I last saw them and I missed them and Koda so much.
“They’ve had a huge impact in my dedication to golf and how to stay grounded. I learned to stay patient and enjoy the ups and downs,” she said.
“My dad’s experience as a tennis player and his words of wisdom will stay with me forever. Stay humble and work hard quietly and peacefully.”
Brianna said she will spend the time at home catching up on her studies.
“And coach my dad how to hit straight so he can actually have a chance against me,” she said in jest. She also looks forward to old-fashioned home cooking. “My favorite when I was younger was sisig. Grandma always makes Filipino corned beef, sinigang, tinola, fish and so much more,” Brianna said.
She was surprised to learn that she can represent the Philippines if she wants to for having Filipino blood in her veins.
If given the chance, Brianna said she would love to play for her parents’ mother country.
“That’s something I’d look forward to, but I have yet to continue to improve and grow,” she said.