Speaker Profile

PGA Honorary President and Master Professional Suzy Whaley is the President of Golf Nation, an online and connected TV OTT channel that brings golf lifestyle and premium videos together on a shop-able streaming content platform. As the Director of Instruction at The Country Club at Mirasol, one of GOLF’s “Top 100 Teachers in America and a commentator for ESPN, she will continue to expand golf's reach around the world with her new endeavor.

After serving two years each as PGA Secretary and PGA Vice President, Whaley became the first woman elected to serve as PGA President in 2018. She steered the Association through the onset of the global pandemic, leading to the establishment of the nearly $8 million Golf Emergency Relief Fund for golf industry personnel in need and an unprecedented growth in rounds played, using social distancing protocols established in conjunction with the CDC and Back2Golf.

Recognized with the 2019 Metropolitan Golf Association’s Distinguished Service Award, Whaley's resume includes numerous teaching awards: Golf Digest Top 50 Instructor, LPGA Top 50 Instructor, two-time Connecticut PGA Teacher of the Year, 10-time Golf Digest State Teacher of the Year and U.S. Kids Golf Master Kids Teacher. She is a five-time PGA Jr. League Championship finals Coach and has instructed more than 300 children to collegiate golf.

In addition to her current duties as a Commentator and Analyst for ESPN and ESPN+, she also served as an LPGA golf commentator for ESPN from 2004-’06. She has worked for SiriusXM radio for the PGA Championship, the Masters and Augusta Women’s Amateur Championship. Whaley also has managed her own instruction and coaching business, Suzy Whaley Golf. Previously, she 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.

A dual member of the PGA of America and LPGA Teaching & Club Professional division, Whaley was a LPGA Tour member in 1990 and 1993. She famously qualified and participated in the 2003 Greater Hartford Open, becoming the first woman since Babe Zaharias in 1945 to qualify for a PGA Tour event. This occurred after Whaley became the first PGA of America woman professional to win the Connecticut PGA Championship. Whaley also is a three-time Connecticut Women’s Open Champion; National LPGA Teaching & Club Professional winner; Connecticut PGA Section Champion; Connecticut PGA Club Professional Champion; and a two-time LPGA Northeast T&CP Section Champion. She has also competed in the U.S. Senior Women’s Open, LPGA Senior Women’s Championship, and 2002 and 2005 PGA Professional Championships.

A 2022 Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame inductee, she is also a Connecticut Golf Sports Hall of Fame and Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame member. Whaley also serves on both the ANNIKA Foundation Board and as an advisor for Sportsbox AI. In addition, she is an Honorary Director for the First Tee of Connecticut. Whaley received the 2017 Betsy Rawls Award from the American Junior Golf Association for her service, dedication and contributions to women’s golf. She also was named a 2015 Sports Business Journal “Game Changer,” for serving as a woman leader with a major impact on the sports business. Whaley also received the 2015 Margo Dydek Award from the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun, for engaging, challenging and inspiring as a role model.

A 1989 graduate of the University of North Carolina with a Bachelor’s Degree in economics, Whaley resides in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida,  with her husband Bill. They have two children, Jennifer and Kelly.