Happy Father's Day

On Sunday is Father’s day and I am so bummed to be away from my family. I am lucky to have some amazing men in my life. My father, Lutz, my brother, Alex, and my father-in-law, Ned, are all amazing dads and I would like to wish them all a happy father’s day.  However, I want to take this opportunity to focus in and thank my husband, Adam.  Adam is by far my better half.  He is incredibly kind, smart and very funny.  He is my number one supporter and has been amazing throughout this crazy journey.

Going back to playing professional golf has created a lot of stress in our lives.  Having to move to Florida in the winter (well, maybe not such a bad thing considering the Boston winters), travelling two weeks out of every month for tournaments and my practice schedule has taken a toll and changed our family dynamic. Oh, and throw moving to a new house in Massachusetts on top of that!!!! It is INSANE.  I used to be the main caregiver for the kids, but Adam has had to fill in in my absence.  He has an incredibly busy schedule with the Red Sox, but not once has he told me that I could not do something.  He is my number one supporter and changes his schedule around all the time in order to make sure I do what I need to do in order to improve my golf game.

Adam is the kindest and most sympathetic person I have ever met.  He always puts his family’s, friends’ and co-workers’ needs and feelings above his own. He is kind to others without expecting anything in return and always 'wants to make others happy.  I admire him so much for that.  He never leaves a conversation without asking the person if they need anything or if there is anything he can do for them.

He is an incredible father to our two girls and always manages to make us laugh.  Seeing him with our daughters melts my heart every day.  I am definitely the crazy, loud, and disciplinarian one between the two of us. A lot of times he comes back from work just to read a book to Stella or tuck Luiza into bed and then goes right back to the office.

Marriage is hard work.  Like many couples we have our differences and our marriage is not perfect. However I am lucky to be able to say that the most stressful times always bring us closer together.  I love him with all my heart and I learn from him every day.  One of my best friends’ mothers once told me that we should marry the person, whom we would like our kids to resemble.  I can only hope that our girls are just like their dad…that would be an incredible gift.

My Family

Since I have two weeks off before my next event I wanted to come back home to Boston.  I have been on the road on and off since December 19^th and it feels so nice to finally be back home, even if it is for a short time.  I am happiest when I am home with my family… nothing in the world makes me happier so I thought I would introduce you to my pack, my world, and my loves.

My hubby, Adam Grossman:

Adam and I met in 2006 through one of my best friends, Alex Messore, who was my agent at the time. We both went to Duke University and graduated in 2002. We met right before I got injured in 2007 and he has been my rock ever since.  We got married in 2009 and he is the main reason why I am able to make this comeback. He is always incredibly supportive and thinks of others before he thinks of himself.  He’s an amazing father, husband, and the best human being I have ever met. I am so lucky!

Stella: 

My mother always said that when I had kids I would have a little girl that was exactly like me and I would pay for all I made her go through.  Well… that little girl is Stella.  She is mini me with big brown eyes, is incredibly active, and loves life. Her favorite things are dancing, playing any kinds of sports, and of course FROZEN… please, make it stop.  She is Ms. Independent and incredibly stubborn like her mommy. Her smile melts my heart and her hugs and kisses are delicious. 

Luiza:

I was always worried if I was going to love my second baby as much as I loved Stella and then I met Luiza, who, let’s be honest, is mini Adam.  When she arrived I had to do a double take because I was expecting my second child to look like Stella and… I was WRONG.  We call her our little Gringa with her beautiful pale skin and light eyes.  She is the happiest baby and was sleeping through the night at 3 months old… Stella still does not sleep through the night. I love her smile so much and just could not imagine our family being complete without her. 

Bubbles and Gorby: 

Bubbles is officially my first child.  I got him in 2003 and he has been with me through my life’s major milestones.  He was there when I got my LPGA Tour card, played on tour, got married, and had kids. He is truly my partner in crime. 

Gorby is the star athlete in our family.  He can play with a ball and run and catch a Frisbee mid-air all day long.  He is incredibly protective of the girls, especially Stella, and is Adam’s best buddy.  

The Dream and the Journey

Hello and welcome! My name is Candy Hannemann and I am a wife, and mom of two little girls and an LPGA Professional golf player. I’m proud to hail from the beautiful city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and currently live in Boston, MA (could I have chosen a place that is more opposite to where I was born?  I don’t think so!)

This blog is about my journey back to professional golf after two surgeries, retirement, a wedding, two kids and having moved to the North Pole…wait…sorry I meant Boston. The reason for my comeback is simple…I want to earn a spot in the 2016 Olympic Summer Games in my hometown of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 

Representing my country at the Olympics is the opportunity of a lifetime and, in the months leading up to the Games, I decided that I owe it to myself to try to earn a spot on the Brazilian national team.  It will not be easy making a comeback with two kids after having been away from tournament golf for six years, but I am so excited and determined to achieve this incredible dream. 

This blog is about more than my journey back to competitive golf.  It is about my transition into becoming a working mother and wife and finding a careful balance between my family and my career; getting back into shape after giving birth only 5 months ago; and most of all it is about pursuing my dream and showing my kids that anything is possible. 

Thank you for following my journey; I look forward to sharing it with you!