By PAUL GOTHAM
ROCHESTER, N.Y. — The ink has barely dried on the high school diploma, but Webster Thomas graduate Mikah McDonnell will get her first taste of professional golf later this week.
Winner of a fan vote, McDonnell will be among the field that tees off Thursday at Brook-Lea Country Club in the Symetra Tour’s Danielle Downey Credit Union Classic.
“It seems surreal,” the Webster Thomas grad said recently by phone. “I don’t think it has fully sunk in. If it had, I would be 10 times more nervous than I already am. I’m sure once the week comes and I play in the Pro-Am and the practice rounds, I’m going to get really nervous.”
The tournament honors the memory of Spencerport native and former University of Auburn golfer Danielle Downey who was tragically killed in a car accident in 2014.
McDonnell was selected in a vote which included other local favorites Jenna Hoecker and Tessa Teachman.
“When I found out about the fan vote, I thought there was something wrong,” McDonnell said laughing. “I didn’t believe it. I didn’t believe it all.”
On Thursday, she will be a part of a field that includes Symetra Tour players Janie Jackson and Allison Emery.
“I know going in, that this will be a really good experience. I’m trying to make the most out of it that I possibly can and have fun with it.”
A two-time Monroe County and Section V champion, McDonnell placed third in the 2018 NYS Girls Junior AM. She finished fourth and was selected as first alternate at the 2018 USGA Qualifier. She will attend William and Mary in the fall where she will continue her academic and athletic careers.
“High school golf was good because I was able to get out and play. To be able to play with girls at this level it will give me a good idea what college golf will be like and what I’m getting myself into this fall.”
In its 39th season of competition, the Symetra Tour has been known as the “Road to the LPGA” since 1999. Nine of the top 25 money winners on the 2016 LPGA tour spent time with the Symetra.
“Her eyes are going to be wide open,” tournament chair Mike Vadala said of McDonnell. “She’s getting this opportunity at home to tap into these people and pick their brains. I think it’s great. I’m really excited for her. I can almost tell you right now, the golf part is secondary. I know that won’t be that way for her, but to me it’s the opportunity that she’s getting. That’s what’s really important.”
The event kicks off with a Pro-Am on Monday.
Tuesday brings a Celebrity Golf Scramble with Syracuse University Hall-of-Fame coach Jim Boeheim, former Buffalo Bill star Jim Kelly, former Buffalo Sabres and Team USA captain Brian Gionta and international recording artist Elvio Fernandes all participating. Boeheim will be teamed up with Kelly Whaley, the daughter of Suzy Whaley – the first female president of the PGA.
“If you tried to take the biggest names in football, basketball, hockey and music locally, you might have them right there,” Vadala said last week on Fox Rochester. “It’s amazing that we got these people. They’re all so generous to the community and they all do so many things, but this is huge for us. It gives us a chance to get people to come out and see them.”
The full schedule of events can be found here. Tickets for the 2019 Danielle Downey Credit Union Classic can be purchased here.
Leave a Reply