Editor's Note: Laura currently serves on the PGA Golf Management’s External Advisory Committee. The purpose of the committee is to assist the program in achieving continuous improvement and provide advice on matters pertaining to programs and curricula.
I was born and raised in Oakland, Nebraska and as an only child, I began playing golf at age 8 with my parents at Oakland Golf Club. I am a graduate of Oakland-Craig High School and graduated from Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Missouri with a degree in Communication Arts.
I have served in many roles throughout my professional golf career including:
-The General Chairman of the 1996 U.S. Women's Amateur Championship at Firethorn Golf Club, Lincoln, NE;
- Board of Directors of the Women's Trans National Golf Association from 1997-2002;
-USGA Regional Affairs Committee 1997 – 2001;
-USGA Women's Mid-Amateur Championship Committee 1998 – 2001;
-USGA Women's Committee 2001 – 2012;
-USGA Women's Committee Nominating Committee 2014 – 2015; and
-USGA Regional Affairs Committee 2012 – present.
In my role as being a qualified Rules of Golf official, I have officiated at the:
-U.S. Women's Open 1997-2012;
-U.S. Opens 2009 & 2011;
-U.S. Senior Open 2013;
-British Women's Open 2010;
-U.S. Women's Amateur 2001-2011; and
-U.S. Amateur 2006
I have served as an officer of women's golf associations at Firethorn Golf Club & The Country Club of Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska and Southwind Golf Club, Garden City, Kansas. Served as Tournament Director, board member, club representative for the Nebraska Women's Amateur Golf Association, and the Nebraska Golf Association Board of Directors. And I was inducted into the UNL Chip-N Club Hall of Fame and the Nebraska Golf Hall of Fame.
I have always been in love with the game of golf because it is a game of honesty and integrity. Golf attracts wonderful people. I have been so fortunate to serve my clubs and many golf associations as a Rules official and volunteer. I envy the young men and women in the PGA Golf Management Program now as there are so many wonderful opportunities for employment in the golf industry. From being a club pro or working for one of the golf tours or golf associations or golf equipment or merchandise companies to retail golf, just to mention a few.
To get a college degree and become a PGA Professional at the same time, is quite an accomplishment for these talented students. Oh to be young again!
More details at: http://pgm.unl.edu