Michigan Golf Journal April 2021

in Ann Arbor, Godaiko Japanese Restaurant, was contracted to serve Sushi to the LPGA players at the former Volvik LPGA Championship. But the idea of baking became more personal during Covid-19 when Nemo wanted to say thanks to health care workers with some baked treats throughout the spring and summer. The made-for-TV baking competition just added a new sideline to his life. Nemo caught the ‘golf bug’ from his maternal grandfather – an interest that became more serious after watching the LPGA tournament for three years at Travis Pointe when he and the family served – and where one of his Godparents won the inaugural 2016 tournament. But we’ll get to that in a minute. “My mom’s side of the family are the athletic ones (tennis players), my dad’s side is into cooking,” the 6 th -grader said, with both his articulate and fun side coming out. “Watching the LPGA at Travis Pointe inspired me to try golf and the rest is history pretty much. I just love the sport. It’s just so much fun. “I took a lot of what I learned on the golf course when I went on the (Baking) Show. For example, in golf, you’re not always going to get your way. You’re going to have bad shots. You’re going to have bad days, and you’re going to be under pressure to perform well and you have to learn to overcome that. Being on the show was the same way except that you have to put your dish on the plate. I definitely think they link together. “All the shots are different in golf,” Nemo continued with his adult-style analysis. “You’re going to have good lies and bad lies. You’ll be in a bunker or next to the water. I see that in cooking and baking as well. You’re going to have to find a way to make something outside of the box.” LPGA Tour Influence: He has kept the ‘golf bug’ alive and striving for great heights by his Godparents, the LPGA Tour’s Jutanugarn sisters, Ariya and Moriya of Thailand – the home Continues on page 33 >> 31 April 2021 www.michigangolfjournal.com