There were girls in the gallery at The Annika Pro-Am who went home and asked for their first set of clubs, and that’s pretty damn cool.
Kids want to follow in their hero’s footsteps. There’s a reason why so many picked up clubs for the very first time during the Tiger Boom. He made an old man’s game cool, and now kids who had posters of him on their walls growing up litter the PGA TOUR. It’s also the reason why the Scheffler Shuffle isn’t out of the ordinary at your local range—or on big stages like Drive, Chip & Putt at Augusta National.
The women’s game is just full of heroes—Annika Sorenstam, Lydia Ko, Nelly Korda, Rose Zhang, and dozens more. But there can never be enough icons involved with the game in order for it to grow.
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That’s why Caitlin Clark could (and should) be a huge asset for the LPGA and women’s golf.
On Wednesday, the WNBA star made her second appearance in The Annika Pro-Am at Pelican Golf Club, and fans were out in droves to get a glimpse of their hero.
RELATED:Breaking down Caitlin Clark’s Golf Swing
Clark has turned into one of the biggest names in sports, and that impact was even seen inside the ropes when Lottie Woad and Alexa Pano fanned out on the range. Everyone wants to spend a minute with the Iowa legend.
World No. 2 Nelly Korda, the biggest star in women’s golf, spent the morning with Clark, just as she did a year ago, and couldn’t believe the energy at the first tee.
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“It’s crazy,” Korda told Golf Channel. “I mean, that first tee was something out of a book, almost…It’s cool to see how many people she brings together into another sport…I mean, to see (how many young girls were there to see Clark), that’s probably the best part of being out here. Inspiring the next generation. Seeing those girls look up to us and saying they want to be in this exact spot in the next couple years, because we were those girls.
“I hope they love the game of golf as much as I do.”
It’s incredible to hear a player of Korda’s caliber and stardom explain how Clark impacts the younger generation. There’s a (good) chance those girls will go home and ask their parents for their first set of clubs, and that’s what it’s all about.
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I know her schedule must be insane, but the LPGA would be foolish not to involve Clark as much as possible. She could have a real impact on the future of women’s golf, and growing that branch of the game should be a top priority for the sport.
The next Nelly Korda might’ve been in that gallery today, and that’s fucking awesome.
RELATED:Nelly Korda’s Player Exclusive Golf Shoe Is All Charm, All Confidence
