DETROIT – This week has truly been a chance-of-a-lifetime-type week for me, playing a round of golf with a PGA Tour pro inside the ropes and giant red grandstands of the Rocket Mortgage Classic at the Detroit Golf Club. This was an incredible opportunity
As I reflect upon it, it actually began when I was a teenager. I’ve been a fan of the game of golf my whole life, thanks to my father, who is an avid player. He gave me golf clubs for my high school graduation gift and taught me how to play the game over my four years at Michigan State University.
I still can’t believe how patient he was with me when I was a beginner. He told me the golf course is where deals are made and where you can network with business and community and political leaders, so you need to know how to play.
Boy was he right, I have gained so many valuable relationships in business, philanthropy, and socially, all because of this sport that anyone can play together. Young and old, all shapes and sizes, athletes and non-athletes, male or female -- it’s that one unique sport that nearly anyone can have fun playing together, and even close a business deal while you’re at it.
This week it all culminated when out of the blue a loyal group of Local 4 viewers and avid golfers who purchased a team in the Rocket Mortgage Classic Pro-Am invited me to play with them. The Pro-Am is held the day before tournament play when everyday golfers get to play the course with a tour professional for a round -- a golfer’s dream!
Kevin Van Kannel, the President of UTEC Technologies, is the man who gave me this unforgettable experience and shared in this short interview during the Pairings Party when we first met in person -- the reason he wanted to play with me more than any pro golfer they may get paired with.
I truly can’t thank him enough and have no idea *how* to thank him yet, so I’m open for suggestions! He and his friends knew more about me and my coworkers than most. They watch us everyday and they knew I loved to play golf and thought they would just give it a try and invite me. I immediately accepted, and honestly, after a day with them, I have a whole new set of friends thanks to this game we all love.
NBC Sports Analyst Mike Tirico hosted the pairings party and has played in many Pro-Ams. I asked him for advice, and he said, “Don’t hit any of the spectators.” While we chuckled, that’s when reality set in that I was not only playing with a new group of people I had just met, as well asa golf pro, we were about to do it all in front of actual fans!
What a thrill playing with PGA Tour professionals, and to see up close and personal just how good they are. We started on the 10th hole for 9 holes with pro Brenden Steel, and I was in awe watching how well he navigated the course, with such precision hitting dart after dart, sinking putt after putt. It was incredible, and I truly believe he could win it all!
Yes, it was incredibly intimidating to not only hit after him, but also in front of small groups of fans in the stands and along the ropes watching us. I have never been so focused for a round of golf. I usually just play for fun, ride in the cart listening to music with my husband or friends, and nobody is ever watching, let alone trying to get my attention for autographs and fist bumps.
After nine holes with Brendan, I asked him about my game and advice for other everyday golfers out there. Here’s a short clip of what he had to say:
The remaining nine holes we played on the front nine of the course with pro Chad Ramey. He just turned pro this year, and this rookie has already won a tournament in the 2022 Corales Puntacana Championship in the Dominican Republic.
We walked the entire course with our caddies -- my husband on my bag -- and I quickly learned on the back nine, golfing like a pro without a golf cart is really tiring!
We racked up about 18,000 steps and six miles of walking, and by the last four holes, my game was struggling and so was I in the heat and humidity, with aching legs from all the walking and no breaks or sitting for nearly six hours!
All that said, overall, it was one of the most unforgettably special days of my life, and I am so proud I played well, considering the intimidating circumstances. I’m also so thankful to have made new friends and be the recipient of such an incredible act of generous kindness, with an entirely new respect and admiration for the pros who play this hobby of mine at the highest, most jaw-dropping level.
I hope you get a chance to see them for yourself over the next four days at the Detroit Golf Club!