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.  

Facing Your Fears

Last weekend was my first official event back from retirement. I have not played golf competitively in six years and I have not played in a tour event in six and a half years - now that is a long time! I did not realize that it had been so long until I read it in an article that came out in Brazil and had to do a double take... it’s CRAZY!!!!

I was extremely nervous and truly scared to get back onto the green at the Florida's Natural Charity Classic in Lake Wales, Florida. And, despite trying to block out negative thoughts, these little moments of doubt kept running through my mind:

"What if I shoot a huge number?”
“What if I run out of golf balls?”
“What if I land the ball in a bunker and can't hit it out?"

Well, to be perfectly honest, it was not my best event. Some may even say it was a failure. I was so hoping to play all three days and unfortunately I did not make the cut to play on Sunday. However, I cannot let that steal my focus. I have chosen to take the positive aspects of my week and to use them going forward.

I learned…
That my physical abilities are rusty, but by no means gone.
That I need to work on my routine, especially when it comes to putting.
That most of the girls competing with me were not even born when I started to play - sad but true!
That not making the cut did not mean that I got the day off on Sunday... instead, I had the even harder task of facing Magic Kingdom weekend crowds with a two year old. (Side note: I am still confused as to why we agreed at 11pm on Saturday night to go to Disney the next morning with no prior planning!)

Most importantly, I learned that I still have the fire inside of me to compete and have to continue to fan it by persevering.

And so I move forward, closer to achieving my goal now that I have faced the fear of playing in my first event. I have two weeks off and then it’s on to the next one, but for now I’m back to Boston (and the cold) for a few days!!!!

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!