Harper Lin
WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark is a rising golf star. Clark, who has been playing golf since she was six years old, has participated in several pro-am golf events, including the RSM Classic in Georgia, the LPGA's Annika Pro-Am, and the PGA Tour's John Deere Classic. Clark, who describes herself as an average golfer with a handicap of around 16, has drawn large crowds to her pro-am appearances and has a strong social media presence, generating 34 million impressions for the LPGA. Clark's love for golf comes from her father, who introduced her to the sport at a young age.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 13 November 2024 |
| Day | Wednesday |
| Time | 7 a.m. ET |
| Location | Pelican Golf Club, Belleair, Florida, USA |
| Competition | LPGA 'The Annika' Pro-Am |
| Group | Nelly Korda, Annika Sorenstam, Dan Towriss, and Jason Rickard |
| Handicap | 16 |
| Score | Low 80s |
| Previous competitions | John Deere Classic pro-am, RSM Classic in Georgia |
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What You'll Learn
Caitlin Clark's golfing ability
Caitlin Clark is a WNBA star, known primarily for her basketball prowess. However, she has also been playing golf since she was 6 years old, and her father, Brent, got her into the sport. She has described herself as an "average golfer", but her participation in several pro-am events suggests a strong ability to play the sport.
Clark has a handicap of around 16 and is capable of shooting in the low 80s. She has played in pro-am events at the RSM Classic in Georgia, the LPGA's Annika tournament in Florida, and the PGA Tour's John Deere Classic in Illinois. Clark has also teamed up with world No. 1 golfer Nelly Korda and 10-time LPGA champion Annika Sörenstam.
Clark's golfing ability has drawn attention from fans and the media alike. Her participation in pro-am events has been seen as a boost for women's golf and sports more broadly. NBC Sports executive vice president of golf, Tom Knapp, commented that "anytime you're able to get a special person like Caitlin Clark jumping into our sport, it's great for everybody".
Clark's golfing ability has also been noted by her peers. Sörenstam, who has 96 titles worldwide, offered Clark advice before a pro-am tournament, saying, "You're an athlete and used to crowds, and I'm sure you play better under pressure".
While Clark has said that she won't be joining the LPGA Tour anytime soon, her participation in pro-am competitions and her strong golfing ability suggest that she is a talented golfer who can hold her own against some of the best female golfers in the world.
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Clark's golf tournaments
Caitlin Clark, the WNBA star, is known for her exceptional basketball skills, but she has also been showcasing her golfing abilities. Clark has participated in several golf tournaments, including pro-am events, and has drawn large crowds with her popularity.
One of Clark's notable appearances was at "The Annika", an LPGA Pro-Am competition hosted by World Golf and LPGA Hall-of-Famer Annika Sorenstam. The tournament took place at the Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida, from November 11 to 17, 2024. Clark played nine holes with Nelly Korda, the No. 1 player in women's golf, and the back nine with Annika Sorenstam herself. The event attracted a large crowd, with many fans eager to catch a glimpse of Clark's golfing skills.
Prior to "The Annika", Clark had also participated in another pro-am tournament on the PGA Tour. She played in the RSM Classic in Georgia, where she teed off with fellow Iowa native Zach Johnson and PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan. Clark's presence at these golf tournaments has brought attention to the sport, with many people interested in seeing her perform on the golf course.
Clark describes herself as an "average golfer" with a handicap of around 16. However, she has shown impressive skills, including her ability to read greens and make long putts. She has also demonstrated a relaxed and enjoyable approach to the game, reminding herself that it's not her primary sport and that she should savour the experience. Clark's passion for golf stems from her father, Brent, who introduced her to the sport at a young age.
In addition to her golfing endeavours, Clark has an endorsement deal with Indiana-based Gainbridge, the presenting sponsor of the LPGA's penultimate tournament. She also took part in a women's leadership summit hosted by Gainbridge, where she discussed her love for golf and her journey in the sport. Clark's participation in golf tournaments showcases her versatility as an athlete and her dedication to pursuing her passions.
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Clark's golfing partners
Caitlin Clark, the WNBA star, has been playing golf alongside some of the sport's biggest names. Clark, who is an "average golfer" with a handicap of around 16, has been taking part in pro-am tournaments, including the RSM Classic in Georgia, the LPGA's 'The Annika', and the PGA Tour's John Deere Classic.
Clark's love of golf began with her father, Brent, who introduced her to the sport at a young age. She has described herself as a "big fan" of PGA Tour star Rory McIlroy. While she doesn't plan to change sports, Clark has joked that she would become a golf pro and has been focusing on playing as much golf as possible during the WNBA offseason.
Clark's golfing ability has been described as "exceptional", with commentators praising her ability to read a green and make long putts. Her participation in pro-am tournaments has drawn large crowds, with one commentator noting that she brought a "big buzz" to the LPGA Tour.
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Clark's golfing schedule
Caitlin Clark's golfing schedule has included a variety of pro-am tournaments. Clark, a WNBA star, has taken her talents to the golf course during the basketball offseason.
In November 2024, Clark participated in the LPGA's The Annika Pro-Am tournament in Belleair, Florida. She played alongside Nelly Korda, the No. 1 golfer in the LPGA world rankings, and Annika Sorenstam, a 10-time LPGA champion and tournament host. Clark's appearance at The Annika drew a large crowd, with over 1000 spectators in attendance.
Following her performance at The Annika, Clark made a surprise appearance at another pro-am tournament, this time on the PGA Tour. She played in the RSM Classic in Georgia, marking her second straight week of playing in a pro-am event.
Clark's participation in these pro-am tournaments showcases her versatility as an athlete and her passion for golf, which she has been playing since she was six years old. While she considers herself an "average golfer", her performances and the attention they have garnered have positively impacted the visibility of women's golf and sports more broadly.
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Clark's golfing endorsements
WNBA star Caitlin Clark has a number of endorsement deals with major brands, which is impressive for someone who is still at the beginning of her professional career. Clark's talent and popularity have caught the eye of many companies, and she is estimated to be worth $5 million.
Clark's endorsement deals include well-known brands such as Nike, Gatorade, State Farm, Wilson, Xfinity, Panini, Lilly, Hy Vee, and Gainbridge. Nike has reportedly signed an eight-year deal with Clark, worth $28 million. In addition to these brands, Clark's participation in the LPGA pro-am was part of her endorsement deal with Gainbridge, an Indiana-based insurtech company.
Clark's involvement in the pro-am event was highly anticipated, with NBC Sports executive vice president of golf, Tom Knapp, expressing his enthusiasm for her participation. The event was expected to bring more attention to women's golf and sports in general. Clark's performance and comfort playing in front of a large crowd were noted, showcasing her talent and ease with media attention.
While her WNBA salary provides a steady income, it is the endorsement deals that significantly boost her total earnings. These endorsements highlight her immense popularity and her ability to attract big-brand partnerships. Clark's financial journey is just beginning, but her diverse income streams and marketability have already caught the attention of many.
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Frequently asked questions
Caitlin Clark has been playing golf since she was 6 years old. Her father, Brent, got her into the sport at an early age.
Caitlin Clark made her professional golf debut in the summer of 2023 at the John Deere Classic Pro-Am in Silvis, Illinois.
Caitlin Clark has a handicap of around 16 and is capable of shooting in the low 80s. She describes herself as an "average golfer".
Caitlin Clark has played in several pro-am tournaments, including the John Deere Classic Pro-Am, RSM Classic, and LPGA 'The Annika'. She has also participated in LPGA Tour and PGA Tour events.
