At the PGA of America’s Annual Meeting in California, Suzy Whaley (PGA) became the first female president of the PGA of America in the organization’s 102-year history.
The PGA Golf Management Program at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln was able to send two students to the meeting to observe the operation and the election of its officers for the next two years. Representing Nebraska were Nate Vaughn (current student club president) and Gretchen Keller (past student club secretary).
Whaley is the director of instruction at Suzy Whaley Golf in Farmington, Connecticut and is a PGA Master Professional with the PGA of America. Suzy was also the first women since Babe Zaharias to qualify for a PGA Tour event when she won the Connecticut PGA section championship in 2002 that earned her a spot in the Greater Hartford Open.
Keller found the PGA of America’s Annual Meeting to be an incredible experience. Gretchen noted, “Seeing Suzy Whaley become the first female president of the biggest sports organization in the world was so inspiring and it is an experience I will never forget.” The students were able to observe the internal workings of the delegation process, meet with many of the current PGA of America officers and have dinner with many of the past officers of this great organization. Keller also stated, “I think this was exactly what the world needed and Suzy’s accomplishments will provide another stepping stone towards the game of golf becoming more inclusive for females.”
Vaughn shared his experience as being educational to actually observe the internal work of the PGA organization that we learned about during our Qualifying Level classes. Nate said, "We were able to watch the delegates discuss and debate resolutions on the floor of the assembly and to observe how the officers transacted the business of our organization. It was very exciting and informative. And being on hand to watch Suzy Whaley elected to the highest office of our organization was history in the making!"
Thanks to Gretchen and Nate for your excellent representation of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln at this year's annual meeting of the PGA of America!
More details at: https://go.unl.edu/cbc7