Suzy Whaley

Suzy Whaley
— Golfer —
Personal information
Born	c. 1967
Nationality	United States
Career
Status	Professional
Former tour(s)	LPGA Tour
Best results in LPGA major championships
ANA Inspiration	DNP
Women's PGA C'ship	CUT: 2003, 2004, 2005
U.S. Women's Open	DNP
du Maurier Classic	DNP
Women's British Open	DNP

Suzy Whaley (born c. 1967)^[1] is a professional golfer, from Connecticut, who, in 2003, became the first woman in 58 years to qualify for a PGA Tour event when she qualified for the 2003 Greater Hartford Open, after winning the 2002 Connecticut PGA Championship. She was also the first woman to win a PGA individual professional tournament. She is currently recognized by Golf for Women as a top 50 female instructor and is a Board Member and Advisor for numerous organizations including Golfer Girl Magazine. She is an LPGA Teaching and Club Professional (T&CP) member who played on the LPGA Tour in 1993.

Whaley's achievement is questioned by some because the regional qualifying tournament she won, the 2002 Connecticut PGA Championship, which gained her a place in the Greater Hartford Open, was aided by her being allowed to play the course off tees 699 yards shorter than the men she competed against in that regional qualifying: she played 6,239 yards, while the men had to play 6,938 yards (a 10% shorter course).^[2]

This anomaly was addressed later by the PGA, under the "Whaley rule", introduced in 2003, which requires all entrants at qualifying tournaments, whether male or female, to play off the same tees.^[2]

In 2014, Whaley became the first female officer in the PGA, as PGA secretary.^[3]

References

1. "Whaley taking pressure in stride". ESPN. Associated Prtess. July 23, 2003. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
2. Blauvelt, Harry (January 28, 2003). "PGA changes rules for women". USA Today. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
3. Marot, Michael (November 22, 2014). "Suzy Whaley Becomes 1st Female Officer at PGA". ABC News. Associated Press. Retrieved November 23, 2014.