Long before Maria Fassi ever turned professional, she dreamed of starting her own foundation. Fassi, 23, was inspired by her cousin Josefina Gomez, who is the same age and took up golf after watching Fassi compete in a tournament around six years ago in Mexico. Gomez has brain paralysis and is both mute and deaf.
“It’s been very inspiring to see her transition,” said Fassi, “and how she’s overcome so many different things that she’s had to do to be able to play the game.”
It’s because of Gomez that started the Maria Fassi Foundation and Fassi’s Friends, a series of inclusive and adaptable clinics that bring disabled and full-bodied kids together to learn the game of golf. Fassi held a kick-off event on Wednesday evening at Topgolf in Rogers ahead of the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship and a junior clinic at Pinnacle Country Club on Thursday afternoon in partnership with the local First Tee.
“Just seeing them hit a golf shot and the joy that that brings to them,” said Fassi, “I mean, I wish everybody had the opportunity to witness that. It’s so special.”
Fassi is in her third season on the LPGA. The popular Mexican player rose to prominence when she finished runner-up to Jennifer Kupcho at the inaugural Augusta National Women’s Amateur and then won the NCAA Championship the next month on Arkansas’ home course.
Her best finish this season was a share of 12th when partnered with famed Razorback Stacy Lewis at the Dow Great Lakes Bay Invitational. She went on to tie for 15th the following week at the Amundi Evian Championship.
Lewis said she has encouraged Fassi to have a focus outside of golf and believes this will help create a nice balance for the talented player.
“You can’t just do golf,” said Lewis. “You’re going to drive yourself crazy. So you need to have something you’re passionate about and something you enjoy outside of golf. I’m excited that she has found this.”
Fassi said that while this has been a dream for some time, she didn’t really set a timeline for when it would start. The fact that she hasn’t gotten off to the kind of start she had envisioned for her LPGA career made her realize that perhaps she was lacking in other areas.
“You wake up every day with a choice. You can live in fear of everything around you. Or you can push through those feelings and seize your destiny. I choose to be fearless.”@MariaFassi0 shares her #DriveOn story in her own words.
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— LPGA (@LPGA) September 23, 2021
“I know personally I needed just something bigger than myself to play for,” said Fassi, “and I know now I have that extra motivation to raise awareness and of course money for the kids that are going to be part of the clinic.
“I think it could be very, very good for my career, because I am definitely happier than I’ve ever been, and I have a bigger purpose than I ever have.”