Suzy Whaley, a PGA Professional who has never let the improbable become a part of her vocabulary, is on a campaign this spring, one that she believes is crucial to the golf industry.

Whaley, who in 2002 became the first woman professional since the legendary Babe Zaharias to earn a berth in a PGA Tour event, is putting her energy into a vital segment of the golf population -- boosting women participation for this year's PGA McGladrey Team Championship.

"It's an exciting time to be in the golf industry," said Whaley, a PGA teaching professional at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn., and one of six regional PGA "ambassadors" promoting grassroots registration nationwide.

"The golf industry is giving increased attention to women's golf. Women's golf continues to gain attention from equipment companies, at practice ranges and country clubs. The growth potential is enormous. At this point, women's golf has so much room for expansion and growth."

The wife of PGA Professional Bill Whaley, the general manager at TPC River Highlands, Whaley also is the mother of two daughters, Jennifer (age 13), and Kelly, who turns 11 on May 6.

Whaley said that she has challenged herself to recruit the most women teams in the country at one facility for the TPC River Highlands Local Qualifying Event, July 4. Women's Day events, she said, is one drawing card that has potential to expand into a Local Qualifying Event.

"My daughters are both playing in our event, and I would love to have the chance to advance with them to the Section Championship," Whaley says. "To do that, however, they first will need a good amateur partner. And, we can increase our chances by having 18 or more teams compete here, which mean we can send two teams to the Section Championship.

"It's possible, and I can see a great opportunity for any player to have the chance to earn a trip to Pinehurst."

There are other goals that Whaley would enjoy seeing her peers meet over the course of this year.

"If we could get the children of PGA Professionals who don't play golf now to get out on the course, can you imagine what the growth of the game numbers would be like in a short time?" asked Whaley. "Bill and I have been careful not to push our kids to the course, but they love the game.

"The PGA McGladrey Team Championship is fabulous; one of those rare opportunities where amateurs can compete on a national stage in a championship run like a tour event.

"There are many players in the 15- to 25 handicap range to whom this becomes a fascinating opportunity to have that chance to compete."

Whaley's daughters have visited the Pinehurst Resort Web site to view some of the Championship venues, including Pinehurst No. 2, where their mother reached the semifinals of the Women' North and South Amateur in 1988. It was eventually won by her University of North Carolina teammate, current LPGA Professional Donna Andrews.

"I would love to go back to Pinehurst," Whaley says. "And, it would be great if it would be with my daughters."

Meanwhile, the work to grow the game continues for Whaley at her home club. The work isn't without an added sprinkling of Whaley ingenuity.

"You have to build some radical changes into your programs to maintain interest," says Whaley. "I am working on new curriculum that brings together human resource companies, where we can add new innovations.

"Golf has to be on the watch for what women are looking for in the golf experience. I believe that we can accomplish much more. It's an exciting time for me and it's up to all of us to get the message out."

To register for a Local Qualifying Event, visit PGA.com/teamchampionship.

The PGA McGladrey Team Championship is the result of a partnership between The PGA of America and RSM McGladrey, the Official Accounting, Tax and Business Consulting firm of The PGA of America. RSM McGladrey is the fifth largest accounting, tax and business consulting firm in the country when considered with McGladrey & Pullen LLP (a partner-owned CPA firm).