PGA of America Secretary Suzy Whaley to be Honored as 2015 Sports Business Journal "Game Changer"

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. -- PGA of America Secretary Suzy Whaley has been named one of Sports Business Journal’s “Game Changers: Women in Sports Business” as part of its 2015 class of 36 honorees. The goal of Game Changers is to tell the stories of women who contribute to the success of the sports industry. The award aims to highlight individuals whose stories have yet to be told. The awards ceremony will take place in New York City on Sept. 17. 

Whaley is the PGA Director of Instruction at Suzy Whaley Golf in Farmington, Connecticut. In 2014, she became the first woman elected to serve as an Officer of the PGA of America. An LPGA Tour member in 1990 and 1993, she famously qualified and participated in the 2003 Greater Hartford Open, as she became the first woman since Babe Zaharias in 1945 to qualify for a PGA Tour event.

The first PGA of America woman professional to win the Connecticut PGA Section Championship, Whaley is also a three-time Connecticut Women's Open Champion. Additionally, she has captured wins at the National LPGA T&CP Championship; Connecticut PGA Club Professional Championship; and is a two-time LPGA Northeast T&CP Section Champion. 

A selection of past and current “Game Changer” award winners include: Tara August, Turner Sports; Mary Byrne, USA Today Sports; Rebecca Chatman, NBC Olympics; Stephanie Druley, ESPN; Sue Hunt, United States Tennis Association; Beth Hutter, Golf Channel; Anne Occi, Major League Baseball; and Heidi Sandreuter, Under Armour.

“It’s an honor to be recognized among such talented and passionate women,” said PGA Secretary Suzy Whaley. “As someone who has been involved in the golf industry in various roles for the majority of my career, my hope is that receiving this honor will shine a spotlight on the many women in this sport who work diligently every day to better the game for all.”

Recognized as one of the country’s top instructors, Whaley previously enjoyed a five-year tenure at Jim Flick Golf Schools, before becoming the Head Golf Professional at Blue Fox Run in Avon, Conn., in 2002. From 2004-06, Whaley worked as an LPGA golf commentator for ESPN.

The Sports Business Journal “Game Changer” award was established in 2010, and has been presented to women sports professionals from varying realms of the industry. Sandy Cross, Senior Director of Diversity & Inclusion at the PGA of America was among the 2014 class of honorees. 

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