Caitlin Clark may be a basketball whiz, but she is making inroads in golf, too.
In July, 2023, Clark made her first golf appearance playing in the pro-am at the John Deere Classic, the PGA Tour stop at TPC Deere Run – a course located near the boarderline of Illinois and Iowa. Now, on Nov. 13, she’ll be the featured at the pro-am warmup for The Annika, the last event of the Ladies PGA Tour’s regular season at Pelican Golf Club in Bellair, FL.
This is a big deal, as Clark’s popularity has been clearly evident via social media – and not just with basketball fans.
Barry Cronin, the veteran media relations director of the John Deere Classic, believes that Clark’s pro-am round at the John Deere, was the start of something big. She played nine holes with Zach Johnson, then the U.S. Ryder Cup captain, and the other nine with Ludvig Aberg, an up-and-coming PGA Tour star from Sweden.
“That pro-am was the first taste of her super stardom to come,’’ recalled Cronin. “She was on the (media interview) podium with Zach afterwards and most of the questions went to her. It was like she was the PGA Tour player. Zach admitted that she was the star of the show that day.’’
Having grown up in DesMoines, Iowa, and starring for the University of Iowa women’s basketball team, Clark already had a local following at that tournament.
“There were thousands, mostly young girls, wearing her No. 22 Iowa Hawkeyes jersey around the course,’’ said Cronin. “She was disappointed in how she played, but clearly she was a competent golfer.’’
Things have changed since then. Now more than basketball fans in Iowa know about Caitlin Clark. Her play for the Indiana Fever gave the Women’s National Basketball Association a big boost, and Clark has learned more about golf. She’s even dabbled recently with with being a professional golfer in her offseason – perhaps jokingly, perhaps not.
Anyway, Clark’s appearance at the Pelican will boost a 72-hole tournament that is rapidly becoming among the most popular on the LPGA circuit. She will be paired with tournament host Annika Sorenstam in the pro-am and their honorary caddies will be IndyCar drivers Colton Herta and Marcus Ericsson.
Sorenstam, a golfing legend, won’t meet Clark until tournament week, but she’s looking forward to it.
“What she has done is amazing for women’s basketball but also for women’s sports, young girls and women in general,’’ said Sorenstam. “For her to come out here, it’s awesome that she plays golf. She really has an interest. It’s going to draw a lot of attention.’’
Golf-wise, The Annika is a significant event even without Clark. Two-time champion and world No. 1 Nelly Korda will be there as will Lilia Vu, the defending champion and world’s No. 2-ranked player. The field will be solid because of its dates. The following week is the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship, one of the biggest money events in women’s golf, at Tiburon in Naples, FL., and the traditional start of the 2025 season is also in the Sunshine State. The Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Championship will be played Jan. 30 to Feb. 2 at Lake Nona, a club in which Sorenstam is a member.
Clark’s role will supplement — but not overwhelm –The Annika tournament.
“She’s an ambassador for women and sport,’’ said Sorenstam. “She seems very athletic. I’m sure she can do anything she puts her mind to. She played quite a bit of golf growing up, and I believe it’s one of her passions when she’s not on the court making three-pointers.’’
Sorenstam is sure Clark will be worth watching as a golfer, not just because she’s a special athlete.
“I’ve only seen her swing on social media,’’ said Sorenstam, “but I’m not so worried about her. I don’t think she’s worried either. She’s an athlete. She’s used to big crowds. I’m sure she’ll shine, no matter what she does. She’s going to do awesome.’’