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Where Are They Now...Kelly Tilghman
12/13/2009 6:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Competing in a macho man's world never caused Kelly Tilghman to cower.
Growing up in North Myrtle Beach, S.C., she found her niche among four younger brothers, played Pee Wee football and was the lone girl to make the boys high school golf team.
So it shouldn't have been a surprise to see Tilghman become the first female play-by-play television announcer for the all-male PGA TOUR and land a major role on the Golf Channel.
Given an opportunity to team up with Hall-of-Famer Nick Faldo for TOUR telecasts in 2007, Tilghman -- a former Duke and professional golfer -- grabbed the mic and teed off, so to speak.
On the air, she catches the viewer's eye and ear.
"Kelly has a special 'it factor,'" Brandt Packer, producer of the Golf Channel, wrote in an e-mail. "People just like her on camera, she's very knowledgeable and really cares about the players. That comes from not only playing the game, but from really doing her homework every week."
Packer added that the Tilghman fans see on TV is the same person off camera, one still "true to her Myrtle Beach roots."
Tommy Roy, producer at NBC Sports, noted that Tilghman's "passion and knowledge combined with her likable, efferescent personality gives her the most important credentials necessary to be a successful TV host."
Tilghman, who broke into television as a intern in West Palm Beach, Fla., in 1996, calls about 20 tournaments per year in addition to her regular Golf Channel duties.
SLIP OF THE LIP
While comfortable in front of a massive audience, TIlghman is acutely aware the broadcast booth can quickly turn into a hot seat.
During a discussion at the 2008 Mercedes-Benz Championships about how young players might have a chance to beat Tiger Woods, she flippantly said: "Lynch him in the back alley."
That comment, perceived by some as racist, created a vociferous and wide-spread backlash. Rev. Al Sharpton, a Civil Rights leader, insisted that she be fired. There was no roar of protest from Tiger Woods' camp. Tilghman apologized and was suspended for two weeks.
"The most important thing I learned from that is intent doesn't always equal the outcome,'' she said. "My heart was in the right place. My words were not."
Those close to the scene knew there was no malice intended. She enjoys a strong friendship with Woods, is a voice on Tiger's video games and has worked several of his corporate outings.
"As a colleague, he is fantastic, the greatest athlete on the planet,'' Tilghman said. "As a friend, he is as loyal as the day is long. He is a great guy [and] has a great sense of humor. People unfortunately don't get a chance to know him like we do."
While enjoying a friendship with Woods and other golfers, she said it doesn't keep her from asking "tough questions."
"Golfers are great to deal with; they are pretty easy-going guys," she said.
SPIRITED AND FIT
Tilghman blends effectively on broadcasts with Faldo, a former Masters champion.
That they spend time together off the job, playing golf, going to dinner, and have many of the same friends, enhances their team chemistry.
"It's very easy to talk with him on the air,'' Tilghman said. "We like to keep it free spirited, very conversational."
Golf telecasts are usually marathons, sometimes lasting five or six hours. That requires stamina, unwavering concentration and a thesaurus-worth of well-chosen words.
To sustain mental sharpness, Tilghman does stretching exercises when off camera and drinks plenty of water.
Overall, she is a fitness fiend who eats healthy and follows a strict regimen of running and weight lifting, plus doing wakeboarding and wake surfing near her Windermere, Fla. home.
"I love fitness,'' said Tilghman, who has competed in triathlons and is currently training for a half marathon.
THE BREAK THROUGH
After a fling on the Mini Tour and overseas, Tilghman "stumbled" into broadcasting.
It happened while she was hitting range balls. A retired TV executive on the scene told her she had a "distinctive" voice and asked if she would be interested in a television career.
That conversation led to an internship at West Palm Beach, Fla., and later a connection with Scott Van Pelt, who hired her at the Golf Channel. Initially "too raw" to appear on the air, she began working in the video library, then put in extra time shadowing reporters to learn how to become an announcer.
"I worked days off, and days on I did two shifts,'' she said. "It was harder than the practice I put in on the tour."
In 1997 Mike Whalen -- Golf Channel's vice president of productions -- told Tiilghman if she could produce one good tape, he would give her live time on the air. She did a feature about a natural grass putting facility players could practice on at night and that was the break through.
BLUE DEVIL DAYS
Tilghman grew up around Gator Hole Golf Course, co-owned by her father. That's where she developed a solid game and became one of Duke coach Dan Brooks' first recruits in 1988.
As a Blue Devil, Tilghman won one tournament, had three top 20 finishes and tied for 33rd place in the 1991 NCAAs, which helped Duke place 13th.
Besides posting the top score for her team at the NCAAs, Tilghman cited another highlight -- being paired with a standout player from Arizona.
"After the round I asked her how to spell her name,'' Tilghman said. "It was -- Sorenstam."
That's as in Annika Sorenstam, now one of her friends.
"Kelly was a good player, a top recruit,'' Brooks recalled. "She [also] had a great sense of humor, more ways to disarm you."
Though admitting to possible bias, Brooks gives Tilghman a high grade as a golf broadcaster.
"I listen to some of the criticism [she gets] and I don't understand it at all,'' he said. "You see her humor. She's poised. The players trust her. I think she's fantastic. I love listening to her."
Tilghman played at Duke (1988-91) before the Blue Devils began their title run that has included five national championships under Brooks.
"We like to say we warmed Dan up,'' Tilghman quipped, then in a serious tone, added: "I should thank him for encouraging me to come to Duke. Duke has made such a difference in my life. Dan has made such a difference."
While in college Tilghman took a public speaking course and still recalls a five-minute talk. She was self conscious and didn't blink her eyes, according to the professor, yet pulled out an "A."
Now she's a poised, confident, ace announcer.
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