By PAT EASTMAN
NORTON, Massachusetts – Walk in the front door of the William F. Connell Golf House, located on the campus of TPC Boston, take a right and walk down a hallway on your left is the Francis Ouimet Room, the theme being- American Golf began in Massachusetts.
Across from the Ouimet Room is the Pat Bradley Room. LPGA and World Golf Hall of Famer, Pat Bradley, has amazing room to display her prized memorabilia including trophies, WGAM amateur championship medal,1981 US Women’s Open Flag and her tournament irons, Hogan Award, Solheim Cup trophies, ring, and captain’s bag, Mother Kay Bradley’s cowbell and more.
Kay Bradley wanted her whole Westford, Massachusetts neighborhood to know Pat won on the LPGA tour. So from her front porch she proudly rang her Swiss cowbell after every win even if at three in the morning when Pat won in Australia. Kay also loved following grandson, Keegan, at TPC Boston handing out “Keegan’s Clan” pins.
Pat’s father, Richard, encouraged her at age 11 to take up golf along with her five brothers. Pat had unmatched concentration on the golf course. Dr. Rob Rotella wrote, “She is as mentally tough as any human being l have ever known.” When Pat was at the top of the leaderboard she had, “The Stare”, an intimidating expression. Pat attributes her competitive spirit and focus to growing up in a loving family along side of her five brothers. She learned survival of the fittest and how to hold her own. In 1989, the Bradley’s were the Jack Nicklaus Golf Family of the Year.
In 1995, Pat showing Keegan the ropes at the LPGA tour Friendly’s Classic in Agawam, Massachusetts. Earlier that year, Pat won her 31st and final victory on the LPGA tour at the HealthSouth Inaugural at Walt Disney World.
Pat’s first official win on the tour came from the Girl Talk Classic in 1976. Pat won six major championships, the career Grand Slam, first player in LPGA history to reach the $2 million mark in career earnings, then $4 million, twice LPGA Player of the Year.
Pat was diagnosed with Graves’ disease during the height of her career and with proper treatment she regained her strength physically and mentally to go on and win nine more times.
Every golfer, especially every LPGA and junior player, should visit the Pat Bradley Room. What an inspiration, Pat set the bar pretty high for anyone from Massachusetts to beat her accomplishments. But as seen at the recent LPGA tour FM Championship at TPC Boston, Massachusetts fans are rooting for Megan Khang to do just that.
Pat lives in Massachusetts in Hyannisport overlooking Nantucket Sound.
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Patriots, Red Sox, Celtics, Bruins have the best sports fans! Let’s get on the Massachusetts golf bandwagon. American Golf began in Massachusetts so keep the spirit alive.
Photos by Pat Eastman. She can be reached at eastmanpat@aol.com
