By RICHIE HALL
Last October, Brittany Kelly got the chance to experience something that was a reminder of her high school and college golf days.
Kelly played for the United States team in the inaugural Women’s PGA Cup, which took place at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin, Texas. The Americans won that first-ever cup, beating out the Canada team 671-675, with Kelly a major factor in the team’s victory.
Being part of the Women’s PGA Cup team was the culmination of a splendid year for Kelly. The former Hamilton Southeastern and Ball State University star also won two Indiana PGA tournaments, competed in her first LPGA major and was the runner-up at the National PGA Women’s Stroke Play Championship.
For all these achievements, Kelly was named the Indiana PGA Women’s Player of the Year for 2019. Kelly is the assistant professional at Woodland Country Club in Carmel.
“The 2019 golf season was truly special to me. It wouldn’t have been possible without the support I received from my family, Patrick White, Tim Diedrich and Callaway Golf, and the members and staff at Woodland Country Club,” said Kelly. “I’m so fortunate to continue to play the game I love and compete at a high level. I’ve always tried to have higher expectations for myself than anyone else has for me. This has allowed me to set my goals high and continue to work towards them every single day.”
Kelly’s first big tournament of the year was the National PGA Women’s Stroke Play Championship, which took place in February at Wanamaker & Ryder in Port St. Lucie, Fla. Kelly finished as the runner-up in that event, making a final-day run in the third round of the event before placing second by one stroke.
In June, Kelly traveled to Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn. For the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship to play in her first major tournament. Back in Indiana, she won two big events in the span of a few days: Kelly dominated the Indiana PGA Women’s Open at Purdue’s Ackerman-Allen Course, winning by 10 strokes. After that, Kelly headed to Purgatory to place first in the Indiana PGA Assistant’s Championship. The only woman in the field, she won by five strokes.
All the while, Kelly was focused on making the Women’s PGA Cup team, saying she had her sights set on playing the event as soon as it was announced.
“I adjusted my schedule to compete in the events needed to earn enough points to gain a spot on the team,” said Kelly. “It came down to the last event, which I barely made it on the team by less than 20 points. On paper, I was the fifth player on a team of five. I felt like I needed to make the most of the opportunity and contribute to the team.”
Kelly did just that. In the first day of the three-day competition, she carded a three under par 69, helping the team to move past Canada by two strokes after the first round. Kelly again led the team on a tough, windy Day 2 by posting a 75, then helped clinch the cup with a third-day score of 74.
“It’s incredible to look back on the event and know that my score counted every day for the team,” said Kelly. “We made history for women in the game of golf and PGA professionals across the world. It was truly an honor to be on the Inaugural Women’s PGA Cup Team and win the event. I’ve made friendships that will last a lifetime and memories that I will never forget.”
With the competition being close between the U.S. and Canadian teams, there were some pressure situations. But Kelly knew that she had the support of her teammates.
“The unique thing about being in pressure situations at the Women’s PGA Cup was that you could rely on your teammates to help you out,” said Kelly. “It reminded me of playing high school and college golf having the support and encouragement from my teammates and Captain Suzy Whaley. Those pressure situations are something I have enjoyed throughout my competitive career in every sport I competed in.”
Kelly, in fact, played with Whaley last year in the National PGA Senior Junior Team Championship. She also made some new friends during her memorable and historic week.
“The friendships I created that week with my teammates will last a lifetime,” said Kelly. “We had some great conversations, fun practice rounds, and amazing dinners. I will never forget finishing out the last putt and having the team spray me with water on the 18th green after we won.”
Kelly took part in two more big tournaments during the year, finishing tied for 12th at the LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals National Championship. She also returned to Wanamaker in Port St. Lucie, Fla. in mid-November to play in the National PGA Assistant Professional Championship, where she placed 15th.
Brittany Kelly had a major role in helping the United States team win the inaugural Women’s PGA Cup, which took place last October at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin, Texas. The Hamilton Southeastern and Ball State University star also won two big events and played in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship in 2019, and was named the Indiana PGA Women’s Player of the Year. (File photo by Hailey Garrett/Courtesy the PGA of America)