Frequently Asked Questions
Re: September `97 Issue of Playboy Magazine

Q1: WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO APPEAR IN PLAYBOY?
LA: Ultimately, I decided it would be an effective way to help dispel some of the stereotyping of women golfers (i.e. LPGA golf pros are "butch", not-feminine, what have you). I'm a huge advocate for women playing the game, and it's a fact that most of the women in the sport don't fit the negative stereotype. Jan Stephenson infused a bit of glamour into women's golf with her appearance in Playboy in the '80s. I thought about it for a long time and discussed the concept with a variety of people before agreeing to the project.

Q2: DOES THIS RELATE TO FORMER CBS-TV COMMENTATOR BEN WRIGHT'S COMMENTS ABOUT WOMEN GOLFERS?
LA: Sure. Women's golf was finally beginning to take off in the `90s, and we were gaining greater access to golf courses, more press and TV coverage, the tour was growing each year, etc. I thought the stereotype of women golfers (which I'd been hearing all my life) was finally dying off. But his widely publicized comments back in `95 seemed to revive this skewed view. I thought that Playboy's concept of featuring "women in male-dominated sports" was an ideal subject for their beautiful glamour photography. It would show that women can excel in men's sports and still be feminine.

Q3: SO IN ADDITION TO DEBUNKING SOME OF THE MYTHS ABOUT FEMALE ATHLETES, YOU ALSO ARE ENCOURAGING WOMEN TO TRY OUT SOME OF THE MORE TRADITIONAL MALE SPORTS?
LA: Yes! The "walls" holding back women from trying many sports have come down--the only barriers left are mental (imagined). I like to tell people that "if you can visualize yourself doing something, then ignore what anyone has told you and start doing it!" It doesn't matter if it's playing golf or climbing mountains, pick up the phone and make arrangements to get started today. I'm here to show by example that a woman can be successful at work, in relationships and in athletics, and still be feminine throughout!

Q4: BESIDES BEING A GOLF PRO, YOU ROCK CLIMB, SKI, LIFT WEIGHTS AND RUN ROAD RACES. HOW DID YOU GET INTO ALL THESE "MALE" SPORTS?
LA: I believe it goes back to my sickly childhood. I had a failed kidney which was removed, and I darn near died. After winning that battle, I was raised by my parents to believe that any other battle or challenge would be comparatively small. I began golfing at age 7 with my father and three brothers. My high school didn't have a women's golf team, so I tried out for the boy's team and made it! In fact, I was a co-captain my senior year. I played many amateur tournaments (and won a few), then attended Penn State on a golf scholarship. However, despite my prowess at golf, I've always been curious to try out other sports and never passed up an opportunity to do so.

I highly value diversity of experience in my life, which may be the main reason I never tried for the pro Tour. Success on Tour requires a single mindedness I don't really possess. I have total respect for the women who do it, because their level of play is awesome. While I immensely enjoy playing golf (I have a single digit handicap), I also value the other facets of my life. What's more, I've been told for years that I have good communication and people skills, and with my degree in kinesiology (the study of human movement) I've become fascinated with golf "training" and instruction. It seemed natural for me to become a teaching pro, and I'm proud that I've become one of the more popular instructors around for both women and men. I've developed some unique approaches to golf training, and I'm told that I'm a highly effective instructor. That's the most gratifying part--seeing my students' handicaps drop and enjoyment of the sport rise!

Q5: HOW DO YOU THINK PUBLICITY FROM THE PLAYBOY FEATURE WILL AFFECT YOU PERSONALLY, AND HOW MIGHT IT AFFECT OTHER'S PERCEPTIONS OF YOU?
LA: I hope peoples perceptions are the same as they've always been, that "Lisa Ann is a highly confident women who marches to her own drummer and isn't afraid to take a risk." Hopefully, I will inspire them to expand their horizons in some way--whether it's a change in their view of women athletes or a change in what they view as possible in their own life! Surely, a few people might get down on me, but they really don't matter. Anyone who knows me, knows of my high character, morals, integrity and such, and I assume their high opinions will remain unchanged. Overall in the grand scheme of things, whether or not someone appears in Playboy magazine is a non-issue. It's a ridiculous waste of time to try to change anyone's mind who thinks it is a major issue.

Personally, I will to continue to encourage more women and children to get involved in sports, because there's so much to be gained by the "sports experience" (mentally and physically). And I will continue to express to everyone my belief that the main limitations in our lives are self-imposed, and that we all have the potential to accomplish great things. Of course, I will continue teaching golf, because I love it, and I look forward to making my "golf training" methods available to more folks across the country. Last but not least, I'd like help broaden the promotion of golf as a great sport for everyone to try. I believe what was once considered "the gentlemen's game" is really "everyone's game"!