With no one in their 40s at 2025 U.S. Women's Open, connection to the past even more vital

USA Today

29-05-2025

With no one in their 40s at 2025 U.S. Women's Open, connection to the past even more vital
ERIN, Wisconsin – Sandra Palmer walked onto the Golf Channel Live From set on Wednesday, threw up her arms and exclaimed, 'Well, I have arrived!'
On a cold and rainy Midwestern day at the 80th U.S. Women's Open, 82-year-old Palmer rolled in like a breath of fresh air. She's on site this week at Erin Hills Golf Course celebrating the 50th anniversary of her U.S. Women's Open victory, and the USGA asked her to speak to the 26 amateurs in the field at a dinner on Tuesday evening.
Palmer made such an impression that 17-year-old Jude Lee referenced something she'd said about the importance of having a routine in her pre-tournament press conference the next day.
Like the rain in Wisconsin, the heavens opened early at Atlantic City Country Club 50 years too, making the petite Palmer an unlikely person to win. She was hanging out in one of the practice tee's cabanas on Tuesday that week and noticed a lone figure out there in rain suit, grinding away.
That someone was LPGA founder Patty Berg, who would've been 57 at the time.
'I thought, if she can do it I can do it,' said Palmer, who suited up to practice.
This year at Erin Hills, 52-year-old Leta Lindley, who celebrates a birthday on Sunday, is the oldest player in the field by a mile. There isn't a single player in her 40s at mammoth Erin Hills. The average age is 26.
Finding a way to help young people connect with the past is paramount for organizations like the USGA and LPGA. Karrie Webb, 50, will be at Erin Hills on Thursday to celebrate the 25th anniversary of her first U.S. Women's Open victory.
Of course, it's up to the youngsters to make the most of it. Last year when Beth Daniel captained the Junior Solheim Cup, only two players handed her a club during a practice round asked: How would you hit this shot?
The winner this week will earn $2.4 million, a sum that's hard for players who competed even a decade ago to wrap their heads around let alone someone like Palmer, who won 19 times, including two majors, and earned $754,356 in 363 starts.
'We never dreamed it would become this,' said Palmer. 'I stand on the shoulders of a lot of people that made this happen.'
So much about tour life has changed since Palmer's time, but so much of what really matters is timeless.
Heather Daly-Donofrio, 55, used to play a lot of golf during off-weeks with JoAnne Carner. In addition to advice on technique, she'd ask about the intangibles, like how to get over a bad shot quickly.
'She's like Heather, you don't have time to think about the bad shot,' said Daly-Donofrio.
Recipe for winning a U.S. Open doesn't change
If they take the time to ask, said Daly-Donofrio, who now runs the USGA's national development program, what young players will find is that older players are willing to help. After all, it feels good to be asked, and the recipe for winning doesn't change.
Before Palmer played on the LPGA, she took a job in teaching. A cheerleader and homecoming queen at North Texas State, Palmer used a connection through a sorority sister to land a job in education without even needing an interview. The teaching job, however, didn't mean that golf was over. Quite the contrary.
She'd pack up her car on Fridays and drive three hours after class to see renowned instructor Harvey Penick, who became like family to her.
Penick would tell her to 'Give lady luck a chance, and then let God put his hand on your shoulder.' Saying it aloud even now gives her chills. It's the kind of thing that needs to be passed along.
Two years ago, Palmer got the call that she was going into the World Golf Hall of Fame. The news brought her to tears as she thought about all the people who helped get her there.
It's not often that young people have the opportunity to sit in a room and absorb the wisdom, wit and energy of someone as accomplished as Palmer.
'I'm the past and they're the future,' she said. 'I hope they can carry this game and remember the people along the way.
'Most of them wouldn't know who Patty Berg is or some of the all-time greats, but I hope they'll take a moment to find out.'
And, in the case of Palmer, ask for her phone number.
She'd be thrilled to keep in touch.