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 Schaeffer won 'The Apprentice' in 2007 (Photo: Courtesy of JAG Entertainment). If you’re Stefanie Schaeffer, you tackle both on national TV. In 2007, Schaeffer beat 17 other contenders to be that year’s go-to gal for Donald Trump via the reality television show, “The Apprentice.” The Southern California native’s resulting assignments were to oversee the construction and development of Trump’s Cap Cana project in the Dominican Republic and to serve as vice president of sales and marketing for Trump International Hotel and Tower in Las Vegas. Her duties — and ongoing relationship with the Trump Organization — also have required numerous public appearances, frequently in high-profile golf events. Most recently, she co-hosted the November CEO event coinciding with the LPGA’s ADT Championship at Trump International in West Palm Beach, Fla. She did it knowing that the Golf Channel might be broadcasting her 18-month-old swing and that she still wasn’t sure how far she could hit each club. Schaeffer said she is not immune to the pressure — or the frustration — that comes with playing golf at any level. “The game can turn me into the most profane, anger-ridden, whack job ever,” she said, while adding that she still can’t get enough. Schaeffer’s “addiction” began when she was practicing law in Orange County. On behalf of her firm, she raised money to enter a foursome into a Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles charity event. She also took lessons “to get good enough to play best ball,” as she told her instructor. During that charity round, Schaeffer hit a 7-iron approach shot a few feet from the flag. “I can’t tell you what hole it was. I can’t tell you who I was playing with. I can only remember the sound of hitting the sweet spot,” she said. “It was so amazing that I knew right then that I’d be playing golf for a long time.” Schaeffer is not short on ambitions. In addition to keeping her law and real estate broker’s licenses current, she hosts “Know Your Rights TV” and is launching her Stefi J Designs jewelry at Beauty Heaven in Irvine. She also is completing a book and audio tape empowerment program for businesswomen called “Strut Your Stuff.” Staying true to her golf goals, Schaeffer is finding ways to make the game a key part of her life. For example, she’s shooting a television series called “Hidden Jewels” spotlighting diverse golf courses. Pilot episodes are completed for Journey at Pechanga in Temecula and for Moorpark Country Club in Ventura County, Schaeffer’s home course. Other Southland candidates include Coyote Hills, Monarch Beach, Pelican Hill and Strawberry Farms. Schaeffer also plays in about 15 charity golf events per year, many supporting cancer prevention and research. Among tour events Schaeffer has scheduled for 2009 are the Nationwide Tour’s BMW Charity Pro-Am in North Carolina and the Champions Tour’s Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am in Florida. She’s hoping for a repeat invitation to the LPGA’s Kraft Nabisco Championship celebrity pro-am in Rancho Mirage the first weekend in April. To be ready, Schaeffer said that she tries to get in a lesson each week, which she reinforces with range sessions and two weekend rounds. Her scores are “hovering right at 100,” with a personal best of 96. For other women who want to take up the game, Schaeffer notes, “There is nothing sexier than a lady golfer who is both competent and confident on the golf course.” She recommends lessons, range sessions and practice rounds. Play like you’ll be nationally televised, or in Schaeffer’s words, “Get out there and strut your stuff.” MORE ON STEFANIE  Age: 34. Residence: Los Angeles. Occupation: TV host and spokesperson. Handicap: 26. Home course: Moorpark Country Club. Favorite courses: Keeping in mind that I’m a new golfer, there are many courses I haven’t played, but my favorites are the Plantation Course at Kapalua, Pebble Beach and Trump International. Favorite golf movie: “The Legend of Bagger Vance.” Lasting impression of Donald Trump: He is a brilliant business person and extremely down to earth. Biggest pet peeve on the course: Golfers who don’t maintain the course. Favorite course food: Raw almonds and tons of water. Favorite LPGA player: Either Nancy Lopez (she gives a lot of time to charity and I’ve heard she is one of the nicest people on an off the course) or Karrie Webb (I played with her at the Kraft Nabisco pro-am last year, and she had a lot of patience with the amateurs). Most treasured golf possession: A toss-up between my rhinestone skull-and-crossbones ball marker and my men’s Cleveland Launcher driver — the best driver I’ve ever hit. Woody Austin told me so! |
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