LOCAL KNOWLEDGE:

It’s been 18 years since the PGA Championship visited Sahalee County Club, and its challenges have not diminished. Jim Pike, the PGA General Manager at Sahalee, said that the course “is renowned for testing the best golfers in the world and this week it’s ready to test the world’s finest women golfers.”

And, those familiar with the not-so-subtle characteristics of Sahalee may count themselves fortunate. “Those players who have played here before (UW alums), or those who can work the ball exceptionally well, will have a distinct advantage on how to play and manage the golf course,” said Pike.

IT’S HUSKIES TERRITORY:

Sadena Parks, born in Raleigh, North Carolina, but who grew up in Tacoma, Washington, has a distinct edge on the world-class field in having experienced the idiosyncrasies of Sahalee Country Club. The 2012 graduate of the University of Washington estimates she has played more than 20 rounds at Sahalee. She’s also one of three University of Washington alums in the field, joined by SooBin Kim of Korea and Jing Yan of China, who each spent two seasons in the Huskies women’s golf program.

Course knowledge will be Parks’ extra “caddie” this week.

“I think it helps, because it’s a tough golf course,” said Parks. “You have to focus on your targets. It’s good to know what you need to know to play here and to work on those shots. When I came to this Championship, I knew that you have to hit a draw and to have to find the fairway from under the trees. People say that trees are mostly air. Well, they’re definitely not air!

“I’ve worked on a low worm-burner or a high draw,” said Parks. “They both work here.”

This is Parks’ sophomore year on the LPGA Tour, and finished tied for 22nd in last year’s KPMG Women’s PGA Championship. The fifth African-American to play on the LPGA Tour, Parks is also the first African-American to win on the Epson Tour since LaRee Sugg in 1998, and to earn her Tour card through the Epson Tour.

“You know it takes a team to play out here,” said Parks, whose team features swing coach and former PGA Tour member Gabriel Hjertstedt; caddie Dave Lindquist, who caddied a year for Hjertstedt; her father and sponsors.

CELEBRITIES IN TUESDAY’S PRO-AM:

The 62nd KPMG Women’s PGA Championship Pro-Am features a wide variety of star power. The entrants include Baseball Hall of Fame electee and former Seattle Mariners star Ken Griffey Jr.; former Secretary of State, Dr. Condoleezza Rice; actor Don Cheadle; TV host Drew Scott; former NFL Super Bowl safety Lawyer Milloy; NBA point guard Aaron Brooks; World Golf Hall of Famer Betsy King; Seattle Seahawks winning placekicker Steven Hauschka; and Seattle Seahawks Super Bowl winning wide receiver Jermaine Kearse.

Monday News & Notes - KPMG Women's PGA Championship

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