Suzy Whaley Will Lead Country Club of Rochester Junior Golf Family Clinic and Receive Walter Hagen Ambassador of the Game Award from CCR
Q&A to Follow Award Presentation with ESPN's Senior Golf Analyst Michael Collins
Rochester, NY—May 2, 2023—The Country Club of Rochester (CCR) will welcome Suzy Whaley, former PGA of America's President and PGA Master Professional for two exciting events. On Tuesday, May 16, Whaley will lead a Junior Golf Family Clinic for CCR and other area golf club junior members and their families. On Wednesday, May 17, The Country Club of Rochester (CCR) will present Whaley with its Walter Hagen Ambassador of the Game Award for her work to promote the sport and its values to younger generations through teaching and guidance.
The Junior Golf Family Clinic on Tuesday, May 16 begins at 4 p.m. at CCR, 2935 East Ave, Rochester. CCR members, families and junior families from area golf clubs are invited to participate and the media is invited to attend. Junior golfers from area golf clubs and their families who wish to participate can sign up through their golf shop. The age range is from 6 to 17 years old.
“We take great pride in our Junior Golf Program at CCR, and we’re honored to have Suzy Whaley come and host a special clinic on May 16," said Mike Urzetta, CCR Head Golf Professional."PGA Professionals strive to instill important values in young golfers, and Suzy is a prime example of someone who embodies them. Her unwavering advocacy for junior golf has earned her respect and recognition. To share her love for the game, we have invited junior families from other clubs to join us, making this a truly special opportunity to celebrate this great sport together.”
The Award Reception and Presentation will be held Wednesday, May 17 at CCR (entrance is on Elmwood Avenue). It begins with a reception at 6 p.m., the presentation will be at 7 p.m. immediately followed by a Q&A led by ESPN's Senior Golf Analyst, Michael Collins. Whaley will be presented with an engraved watch similar to the one presented to Hagen by the Prince of Wales after he won the 1922 British Open.
The media is invited to attend this event. The event is by invitation and will be attended by PGA of America officials.
The Walter Hagen Ambassador of the Game Award acknowledges individuals who play a role in the growth of golf. In this instance, Whaley is doing her part to promote the sport and its values to younger generations through teaching and guidance. The award is named after Walter Hagen, who was both the first head professional at the Country Club of Rochester and the first golf ambassador. Hagen introduced the game to youth worldwide.
"Mr. Hagen opened the doors of clubs and courses around the world to
professional golfers, previously only open to the “elite”. By doing so he crossed
the threshold of inclusion for many to enjoy and compete in the game of golf," said Matt Parrilli, president of the CCR Board of Stewards. "The Hagen Award recognizes Suzy Whaley as a Golf Professional who has lived her intention of inclusion understanding this fundamental principle is the path by which the game can flourish. Hewn through honorable competition, the player's character develops, and the game becomes a friend."
Previous award winner includes Darren Clarke in 2019.
About Suzy Whaley
The first woman ever elected to serve as an Officer of the PGA of America, PGA President and PGA Master Professional Whaley is the PGA Director of Instruction for the Country Club at Mirasol in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. She is also the PGA Director of Instruction for Whaley Golf. After serving two years as PGA Secretary, and two years as Vice President, Whaley was elected as the PGA of America's first female President at the PGA Annual Meeting in November 2018.
Recognized in 2019 as one of GOLF’s “Top 100 Teachers in America,” Whaley's resume includes:
Golf Digest Top 50 Instructor
LPGA Top 50 Instructor
Two-time Connecticut PGA Teacher of the Year
10-time Golf Digest State Teacher of the Year
U.S. Kids Golf Master Kids Teacher
She is a five-time PGA Jr. League Championship finals Coach and has instructed more than 300 children to collegiate golf. Previously, she enjoyed a five-year tenure at Jim Flick Golf Schools, before becoming the Head Golf Professional at Blue Fox Run in Avon, Connecticut, in 2002. From 2004-06, she worked as an LPGA golf commentator for ESPN, and began her own instruction and coaching business, Suzy Whaley Golf, after ESPN.
A dual member of the PGA of America and LPGA Teaching & Club Professional division, Whaley was an LPGA Tour member in 1990 and 1993. She famously qualified and participated in the 2003 Greater Hartford Open, becoming the first woman since Babe Zaharias in 1945 to qualify for a PGA Tour event. This occurred after Whaley became the first PGA of America woman professional to win the Connecticut PGA Championship. Whaley also is a three-time Connecticut Women’s Open Champion; National LPGA Teaching & Club Professional winner; Connecticut PGA Section Champion; Connecticut PGA Club Professional Champion; and a two-time LPGA Northeast T&CP Section Champion. She competed in both the 2002 and 2005 PGA Professional Championships. Whaley also recently competed in the USGA Senior Women's Open, as well at the LPGA Senior Women’s Championship.
A 2016 Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Whaley also serves on both the ANNIKA Foundation Board and the PGA Tour Policy Board. In addition, she is an Honorary Director for the First Tee of Connecticut. Whaley was honored with the 2017 Betsy Rawls Award from the American Junior Golf Association for her service, dedication and contributions to women’s golf. She was also named a 2015 Sports Business Journal “Game Changer,” cited as a woman leader who has had a major impact on sports business. Whaley also received the 2015 Margo Dydek Award from the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun, for her ability to engage, challenge and inspire, while serving as a role model.
Whaley is one of the most accomplished/distinguished professional female golfers and instructors. She is the first female to ever serve on the board of PGA of America as a Secretary in 2015 to now holding the Honorary President position today. Her trailblazing nature is revealed in her numerous other accomplishments, including being named Sports Business Journal’s “Game Changer” in 2018, Golf Digest’s “Top 50 Instructor”, competing in the 2003 Greater Hartford Open which made her the first woman to qualify for a PGA tour event since 1945, instructing over 300 children to collegiate golf, and being inducted into the Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame.
A 1989 graduate of the University of North Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in economics, Whaley and her husband, Bill, are both PGA Members. Bill is the National Director of Golf for the PGA Tour Properties Division. They have two daughters, Jennifer and Kelly.
About Michael Collins
Michael Collins joined the ESPN.com golf team in 2011 and brings his unique perspective from 10 years as a professional golf caddie to his writing and video reports. Collins also previously worked for 20 years as a standup comedian.
In addition to his contributions to ESPN.com’s golf coverage, Collins also has appeared as a host and analyst on ESPN programs surrounding golf majors and has worked as an on-course reporter for some tournaments on PGA TOUR LIVE on ESPN+.
Collins also has appeared on numerous ESPN programs and platforms including Get Up!, SportsCenter, First Take and ESPN Radio to discuss golf and other topics. He also previously hosted the ESPN+ program America’s Caddie.
Collins is a native of Lancaster, Pa., and lives in Gainesville, Fla.
Remembering Walter Hagen: A Golf Legend
Born on December 21, 1892, Walter Hagen was a Rochester, NY native who grew up in Corbett's Glen, just across the street from The Country Club of Rochester (CCR). He began his successful career at the young age of seven, working as a caddy at CCR in 1899. By 1913, he had already become the head professional of the club. Hagen's impressive career included 45 PGA Tour victories, 11 of which were Majors. He was the first American-born player to win The Open Championship and served as Captain of the US team in the first six Ryder Cups. Hagen was also the first touring golf professional, a founding Member of the PGA of America, and fought for proper treatment for golf professionals at private clubs in the US and abroad. In 2008, a permanent bronze sculpture of Hagen was dedicated at The Country Club of Rochester in his honor.
About The Country Club of Rochester
Founded in 1895, The Country Club of Rochester (CCR) is one of the fifty oldest clubs in the United States. The 1953 US Women’s Open, the 1962 US Women’s Amateur and the 1973 US Women’s Open have been hosted on the Donald Ross-designed course. The Clubhouse Lounge is named after Walter Hagen. CCR celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2020.
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