University of North Carolina Athletics
Photo by: Andy Mead
Whaley Sets Course Record in Hartford Women's Open Win
June 15, 2018 | Women's Golf
CHAPEL HILL – After leading the team with a 73.24 stroke average last season, rising senior Kelly Whaley won the Hartford Women's Open in record fashion to begin the summer.
Not only did the Farmington, Connecticut native finish the 36-hole event 7-under par, Whaley shot a women's course record, 5-under par 65 in the second round at Keney Park Golf Course on June 10. Whaley began the tournament with three consecutive birdies in round one at Goodwin Park Golf Course to shoot, 2-under par 68.
The course at the Goodwin Park Golf Course featured a par-70, 5,543-yard course for round one, while round two's Keney Park Golf Course was a par-70, 5,694-yard course.
After her exciting start to the summer, Go Heels caught up with Whaley about the Hartford Open.
Go Heels: You're about a month into summer break right now. How has your summer been going?
Kelly Whaley: My summer has been great! I am taking 3 classes right now, and finishing all of them next Thursday which is exciting! I am taking 2 chemistry classes at Quinnipiac University and one online class for UNC. I have been practicing and spending time with family, when I am not studying but overall it has been amazing to be home this past month.
GH: Looking at this past weekend at the Hartford Women's Open, how does it feel to win your first tournament of the summer?
KW: It feels amazing to have won my first summer event. I have had to balance school and golf for the first month of summer and to have it all work it, really was a great feeling. I have been working hard with my parents, who are my coaches, on certain aspects of my game. It really showed in my performance and I am just so happy that my practice is paying off when it matters.
GH: You had a good first round, shooting 2-under par. What was your thought process as you went through the course on the final day?
KW: Going into the final day, I just wanted to it take one shot at a time and treat each hole as its own tournament. In my mind, I just tried to give myself as many birdie opportunities as I could and if I missed, I knew I missed trying to make it. I really focused on keeping my mindset positive and confident throughout the day.
GH: What has been your focus lately on the course?
KW: My focus on the course has been on one or two swing thoughts and then really just focused on treating each shot as the first one. This allows me to not get too far ahead or in the past, it keeps me in the present.
GH: What is next for your summer plans?
KW: I have the US Women's Amateur Qualifier on July 3rd and then I am heading to the Women's North South Amateur Championship on July 7th. From now until July, I will be practicing and spending time with friends and family.
Stay up to date with Carolina Women's Golf by following the Tar Heels on Twitter and Instagram.
Not only did the Farmington, Connecticut native finish the 36-hole event 7-under par, Whaley shot a women's course record, 5-under par 65 in the second round at Keney Park Golf Course on June 10. Whaley began the tournament with three consecutive birdies in round one at Goodwin Park Golf Course to shoot, 2-under par 68.
The course at the Goodwin Park Golf Course featured a par-70, 5,543-yard course for round one, while round two's Keney Park Golf Course was a par-70, 5,694-yard course.
After her exciting start to the summer, Go Heels caught up with Whaley about the Hartford Open.
Go Heels: You're about a month into summer break right now. How has your summer been going?
Kelly Whaley: My summer has been great! I am taking 3 classes right now, and finishing all of them next Thursday which is exciting! I am taking 2 chemistry classes at Quinnipiac University and one online class for UNC. I have been practicing and spending time with family, when I am not studying but overall it has been amazing to be home this past month.
GH: Looking at this past weekend at the Hartford Women's Open, how does it feel to win your first tournament of the summer?
KW: It feels amazing to have won my first summer event. I have had to balance school and golf for the first month of summer and to have it all work it, really was a great feeling. I have been working hard with my parents, who are my coaches, on certain aspects of my game. It really showed in my performance and I am just so happy that my practice is paying off when it matters.
GH: You had a good first round, shooting 2-under par. What was your thought process as you went through the course on the final day?
KW: Going into the final day, I just wanted to it take one shot at a time and treat each hole as its own tournament. In my mind, I just tried to give myself as many birdie opportunities as I could and if I missed, I knew I missed trying to make it. I really focused on keeping my mindset positive and confident throughout the day.
GH: What has been your focus lately on the course?
KW: My focus on the course has been on one or two swing thoughts and then really just focused on treating each shot as the first one. This allows me to not get too far ahead or in the past, it keeps me in the present.
GH: What is next for your summer plans?
KW: I have the US Women's Amateur Qualifier on July 3rd and then I am heading to the Women's North South Amateur Championship on July 7th. From now until July, I will be practicing and spending time with friends and family.
Stay up to date with Carolina Women's Golf by following the Tar Heels on Twitter and Instagram.
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
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