(Arras, France – June 9 2005) Nicole Stillig-Gögele from Germany shares the lead with Belgium’s Lara Tadiotto after the first round of the €300,000 Arras Open de France Dames.
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| Nicole Stillig Gogele |
She has been working with Kevin Smeltz at the Leadbetter Academy in Florida as well as at the Roma Golf Academy, where the Siemens Austrian Ladies Golf Open Champion Federica Piovano has been training, as well as practising at her home course, ‘Golf de L’empreur’, in Brussels.
Gögele, 30, from Munich, has been feeling more comfortable with her golf this season after getting married to ex-European Tour professional Thomas Gögele on the 28th December last year.
She has been training over the winter with Denis Pugh, who also coaches Colin Montgomerie, at Royal Wisley GC in London.
“I’ve been playing very well so far this season and I had a five-under-par 67 in the first round in Rome,” said Gögele.
“But I haven’t converted that yet so I just hope I don’t mess up at the week-end.”
Dibnah and Sandolo both credited their new physiques to their success.
“I lost 40 pounds over the winter, which was pretty major for me,” confided Dibnah.
“There’s been no booze and lots of exercise and I’ve been riding my bike ten miles a day, as well as swimming and using a fit ball.”
Sandolo credited her personal trainer and the fitness work she has been doing for gaining an extra 25 metres on her drives. Her regime includes running, stretching and lots of abdominal work. She will be fighting fit for when shooting her new calendar, which will be produced for 2006.
