Spring Break
Men's Golf Spotlight: Freshman Gino Parrodi
Dan Cusack / Staff Reporter
Issue date: 4/1/09 Section: Sports
Gino Parrodi is used to playing golf four or five times a week in warm, clear weather in his native Mexico. This year, playing golf comes whenever the weather cooperates.
Parrodi, a native of Queretaro, Mexico, who played golf in high school in Texas, has done well in his first season leading the Panthers at the Samford Invitational and finishing third for the team at the Butler Spring Invitational.
In the first two tournaments of the spring and the last few tournaments of fall, the weather was far from what he was used to.
"The weather was brutal towards the end of October, and we could not start playing again until late February," Parrodi said. "At some points, you couldn't even see the ball. I got to play during winter break so everything is coming back to me."
For Parrodi this year has been a lot about adapting. His family lives in Mexico so he only gets to see them during breaks and despite visiting the United States growing up, it is a new experience living here.
"Living here is different," Parrodi said. "The food is different, and the people act differently than what I was used to."
He said the past two weeks have been especially tough because of tournaments, practice and schoolwork.
His teammates have helped him adjust.
Four players on the team are from outside the United States including childhood friend, sophomore Francisco Cherizola.
"We all understand what each other are going through, and we help each other through it," Parrodi said.
Cherizola, who met Parrodi when he was 12 years old on the golf course, was the one who persuaded Parrodi to come to Eastern and said he has helped him with the adjustment.
"He is a very competitive player just like myself," Cherizola said. "He has played at a consistent level and has been in the top three every tournament this spring."
Cherizola went through the experiences Parrodi is currently going through, including what to wear during tournaments.
"Last year I had no idea about what the weather would be like," Cherizola said. "So when he came here I showed him how to bundle up and get different things like rain gear. He's doing a good job and getting used to it."
Cherizola said it has been a great experience having a friend and fellow Mexican on the team.
Parrodi said he has enjoyed his choice to come to Eastern. Despite playing in competitive leagues in Texas, Division I golf has allowed Parrodi to play against some of the top players in the country.
"I always look forward to playing ranked players," Parrodi said. "We are a young team with a lot of freshmen, but we are getting a chance to play against some of the best players in the country."
Dan Cusack can be reached at 581-7944 or at dscusack@eiu.edu.
Parrodi, a native of Queretaro, Mexico, who played golf in high school in Texas, has done well in his first season leading the Panthers at the Samford Invitational and finishing third for the team at the Butler Spring Invitational.
In the first two tournaments of the spring and the last few tournaments of fall, the weather was far from what he was used to.
"The weather was brutal towards the end of October, and we could not start playing again until late February," Parrodi said. "At some points, you couldn't even see the ball. I got to play during winter break so everything is coming back to me."
For Parrodi this year has been a lot about adapting. His family lives in Mexico so he only gets to see them during breaks and despite visiting the United States growing up, it is a new experience living here.
"Living here is different," Parrodi said. "The food is different, and the people act differently than what I was used to."
He said the past two weeks have been especially tough because of tournaments, practice and schoolwork.
His teammates have helped him adjust.
Four players on the team are from outside the United States including childhood friend, sophomore Francisco Cherizola.
"We all understand what each other are going through, and we help each other through it," Parrodi said.
Cherizola, who met Parrodi when he was 12 years old on the golf course, was the one who persuaded Parrodi to come to Eastern and said he has helped him with the adjustment.
"He is a very competitive player just like myself," Cherizola said. "He has played at a consistent level and has been in the top three every tournament this spring."
Cherizola went through the experiences Parrodi is currently going through, including what to wear during tournaments.
"Last year I had no idea about what the weather would be like," Cherizola said. "So when he came here I showed him how to bundle up and get different things like rain gear. He's doing a good job and getting used to it."
Cherizola said it has been a great experience having a friend and fellow Mexican on the team.
Parrodi said he has enjoyed his choice to come to Eastern. Despite playing in competitive leagues in Texas, Division I golf has allowed Parrodi to play against some of the top players in the country.
"I always look forward to playing ranked players," Parrodi said. "We are a young team with a lot of freshmen, but we are getting a chance to play against some of the best players in the country."
Dan Cusack can be reached at 581-7944 or at dscusack@eiu.edu.
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