Do you remember Suzy Whaley?
Sure you do. She's the effervescent PGA Professional from Farmington, Conn., who stunned the golf world in 2002, by becoming the first woman to compete among the guys in The PGA Club Professional Championship. A year later, Whaley became the first woman since Babe Zaharias in 1945 to qualify for a berth in a PGA Tour event.
That same Suzy - the subject of golf magazine covers and interviews by seemingly every media outlet - is back in the competitive spotlight. The 38-year-old PGA Teaching Professional at Blue Fox Run Golf Club in Avon, Conn., has gained a berth via the alternate list to compete in The 38th PGA Club Professional Championship, June 23-26, 2005 at Kiawah Island (S.C.) Golf Resort.
Has anything changed? Quite a bit, according to Whaley, not to mention that the media hype has also simmered.
"I'm thrilled to be in the CPC, and I have reservations through Sunday," said Whaley. "My game has changed over the last three years, due to strength conditioning. I feel stronger and have added yardage. But more importantly, the GHO (Greater Hartford Open of 2003) gave me confidence.
"That experience taught me what is possible for me on the course and a great deal about managing pressure. While I still get nervous, I've learned to control my nerves and focus on the task at hand without fear. Sometimes it works in my favor, and sometimes it doesn't. But each time I tee it up, I feel like I'm a competitor and not just a player in the field."
Whaley competed in last fall's Eastern PGA Club Professional Championship from tees that were approximately 85 to 90 percent of the distance played from the men's tees. She will be competing at The Ocean Course from a distance of 6,229 yards, while the men will play from 7,355 yards.
Whaley competed from the back tees in the 2003 Greater Hartford Open, missing the cut.
"My peers are very supportive of my accomplishments, and I continue to learn from them everyday," said Whaley. "I truly enjoy teaching golf, and I am thankful for all of my corporate and private clientele. As the National Spokesperson for Women's Golf Week, I have the opportunity to get more women to the course and back into the game.
Whaley hosted three clinics at TPC facilities, the first on June 3, 2005, at the TPC at River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn. She will continue to present the instructional clinics, on June 13, 2005, at the TPC at Jasna Polana, and on June 14, 2005, at the TPC at Boston.
Whaley's media savvy in front of the camera has been noticed by many, including Champions Tour and PGA Professional Peter Jacobsen, who is Whaley's manager.
Whaley has yet to sign a television golf analyst contract, but is serving periodically for golf events broadcast by ESPN, in addition to regular appearances on programs for the Golf Channel. She also was a featured presenter at the 2004 PGA Teaching & Coaching Summit.
The next immediate challenge for Whaley is the Ocean Course, the famed site of the 1991 Ryder Cup, and one of the most unique Championship venues in the country.
"I won't have a chance to play the Ocean Course before the week of the Championship," said Whaley. "I have only played the front nine once, and that was 1994, when the PGA held its Annual Meeting in Charleston. That was a long time ago. I will have to re-educate myself about the course."
The 38th PGA Club Professional Championship is presented by Titleist, FootJoy and Cobra; Buick; Club Car; and Amstel Light. The Golf Channel is a media partner. The PGA Tour is a contributing partner. The Greg Norman Collection is the Official Golf Apparel of The PGA Club Professional Champiionship.
The PGA of America, founded in 1916, is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the game of golf, while continuing to enhance the standards of the profession. The Association is comprised of more than 28,000 men and women PGA Professionals who are dedicated to growing participation in the game of golf.
