Just as I did with Rob Labritz during the PGA Championship in May, during this year’s KPMG Women’s PGA Championship I’ve turned my column space over to Top 25 Instructor and LPGA and PGA Master Professional Alison Curdt, who competed in the event for a sixth consecutive time. Each day Alison — who teaches at Wood Ranch Golf Club in Southern California, is a licensed psychotherapist and in 2018 became the LPGA’s Teaching & Club Professionals Vice President — has been telling us what it’s like preparing for the event, teeing it up alongside the world’s best female players and observing how they handle competition. Though she missed the cut, she stuck around for the weekend, including the awards ceremony with champion Hannah Green. Here’s her final wrap.
By Alison Curdt
What a week it has been!
Sitting on my late night flight back to LAX Im able to reflect on the many amazing events that I’ve had the privilege to experience.
I arrived to the golf course mid-day to partake in my last player hospitality experience (the food was amazing each and every day, with the smoothie and milkshake bar being the hotspot for the week), before heading out to Hole 17 and relaxing in the viewing area to see some great shots approach the green on the challenging par 3.
Watching with other teachers, it was exciting to comment on the player’s many different styles. Ok, really we were “geeking out” on everyone’s technique and taking video to add to our teaching tool boxes for students to see in future lessons.
After several hours of seeing groups move through 17, I reported back to the clubhouse as I was honored to present the low-club professional award to Jimin Kang. Representing the LPGA T&CP division, Jimin was the only player of the nine qualifiers to make the cut.
Chatting with PGA President Suzy Whaley in the locker room about all things golf and the tournament as we prepared to see who the tournament winner would be, a slight drizzle started to fall as the final groups were approaching 18. President Whaley and I, along with key figureheads from KPMG and PGA were scheduled to present the winner on the 18th green with the trophy.
Hannah Green maintained her stellar play to secure the win. It was fulfilling to watch her first major win up-close and in-person then handing over the championship trophy alongside President Whaley to Hannah. After the conclusion of the awards ceremony, the trek to head back to the airport and life on the teaching tee became a reality.
It was a magical week to be in the environment of and LGPA Major event. Although my performance was nowhere near where I would’ve liked, I’m still blessed to have qualified and had the experience I had.
Now my mind shifts to qualifying for next year’s KPMG. Thanks to all who followed along this week! Till next time …
