Maria Verchenova is a Russian golfer. Although golf is a minor sport in her home country, Verchenova seeks to emulate the success Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova in her chosen sport. Verchenova practiced ballet until age 15, when she decided to pursue golfing seriously, eventually going on to become the first Russian woman to play full-time on the Ladies' European Tour.Golf365: Exclusive: Maria's favourite things (May 2009)
Golf in Russia
Golf is such a rare sport in Russia that before 2006, there were only three golf courses in the entire country. Verchenova has said that she did not know the sport even existed when she was younger. She played her first game of golf at the age of 12, on a trip to the Czech Republic with her father.Times Online: The pioneer for a new sporting empire (November 27, 2008)
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Born
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Lives in Moscow
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Is the first Russian to play the Ladies European Tour full-time
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Considers accurate driving to be one of her greatest strengthsGolf365: Exclusive: Maria's favourite things (May 2009)
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Counts Russian golfer and former tennis player Yevgeny Kafelnikov as a close friendGolf365: Exclusive: Maria's favourite things (May 2009)
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First qualified for the Ladies European Tour in 2006
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