When Gianna Clemente was first introduced to golf as a toddler, the stakes were not quite as high as the LPGA.
Range sessions with her father, Patrick, included friendly wagers over a bag of M&Ms or a Snickers.
“She grew up on the golf course. It’s in the family to be at the club all the time,” said Patrick, who played college golf at Youngstown State. “We tried to keep it fun.”
Patrick had no idea his daughter would show the strive and passion to become a rising star in the sport. He’s been able to see every step of the journey pulling double duty as dad and caddie.
“Golf started as something that I just wanted to be around my dad,” Clemente said. “Deep down, he loves caddying. He wants to be out here just as much as I do.”
‘There was this drive and fire’
March 23, 2024; Graniteville, S.C., USA; Gianna Clemente, of Fla., examines her ball on the 9th green during the final round of the Junior Invitational at Sage Valley Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Katie Goodale/THE AUGUSTA CHRONICLE-USA TODAY Network
Clemente, 16, is the top-ranked amateur in the Rolex AJGA Rankings. She won the American Junior Golf Association’s Mizuho Americas Open in May and helped lead Team USA to the U.S. Ping Junior Solheim Cup title Sept. 10. She received a sponsor invite to the Kroger Queen City Championship this week at TPC River’s Bend in Maineville, her sixth career LPGA Tour event.
In 2022, Clemente played in the inaugural Kroger Queen City Championship at Kenwood Country Club at 14 years old, becoming just the second player ever (Hee-Won Han) to Monday qualify for three consecutive LPGA events.
This time around, there’s no early-week pressure as she’s secured a spot in the field amongst the game’s best.
“Just to be on tour, week to week like this, this has been my dream since I was a little kid,” Clemente said in her pre-tournament press conference Tuesday.
It’s a dream that began with countless hours with dad between Squaw Creek and Avalon Lakes Golf Course in Trumbull County. Other sports like gymnastics and softball didn’t stick the way golf did. By the age of 10, she had won two major junior championships. At 11, she qualified for the U.S. Women’s Amateur and wasn’t fazed by the slew of cameras and media attention that came along with it.
“There was just this drive and fire. It was almost like she liked that attention. I thought that was a little unique,” Patrick said. “Everybody is nervous, but I thought the way she handled being put on that stage at a really young stage was different.”
‘I try not to be dad at all’
Gianna Clemente of the United States reacts with her caddie Patrick Clemente after saving par on the No. 9 green during round two of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur at Champions Retreat Golf Club, Thursday, April 4, 2024. David Paul Morris/Augusta National
The journey has been a process for Patrick, too. Trying to juggle the roles of dad and caddie was a hard hurdle to clear early on. He started as Clemente’s swing coach, but knew she had to pave her own way eventually.
“As a family and a support system, we’re smart enough to know that she needs to make her own path,” he said.
The secret? Patrick doesn’t let the dad role come out at all inside the ropes. In addition to a full-time swing coach, Clemente is coached by Jorge Parade from Liberty National. Patrick has backed out of anything swing-related and is focused on a game management role from the bag.
“Somehow, we’ve found a way to compartmentalize a little bit,” Patrick said. “On the course, if dad comes out, it doesn’t work. It’s knowing when to let her be or walk 50 yards ahead to let her work with a coach while I stay out of the way. That’s a healthy thing. Somehow, we still get along.”
‘This is his dream, too’
Gianna Clemente smiles while walking to the hole eight tee box during the second round of the 2023 U.S. Women’s Amateur at Bel-Air Country Club in Los Angeles, Calif. on Tuesday, Aug. 8, 2023. (James Gilbert/USGA)
When she first qualified for the Canadian Women’s Open in 2022, Clemente stepped on the putting green for the first time and was somewhat star-struck.
“I had no idea what I was doing,” she laughed.
Clemente has pictures with the likes of Morgan Pressel, Paula Reto and Lexi Thompson from her days with dad at the Dana Open in Toledo. When she found herself playing against her idols, nerves were initially at an all-time high.
“It takes time for those (nerves) to wear off,” Clemente said.
It’s all part of the gig now for both Clemente and Patrick. She dreamed of teeing it up with the best women’s golfers on the planet. He never thought he’d caddie at places like Augusta National.
“It’s amazing for me but I know it’s even cooler for him,” Clemente said. “This is his dream, too.”