FROM LUERS STANDOUT TO PGA PRO

Emily Hanchar was back in Waynedale for a visit during the first week of September. Many of you may remember Emily as a standout golfer on the Bishop Luers Golf Team from 1991-1994, which was coached by Peggy Ruzzo McArdle. I caught up with Emily September 7 at her parent’s home on Winchester Road.

Emily graduated from Bishop Luers in 1994 and chose to attend Ferris State University in Big Rapids, Michigan. It was one of only four colleges in the country that was offering a Professional Golf Management Program. She attended on both academic and athletic scholarships and in addition to the Professional Golf Management Program she majored in Business Marketing with a minor in Retailing. Emily mentioned that one of her proudest achievements at Ferris State University was winning the Presidents Award for the highest GPA on the golf team.

She graduated from Ferris State University and began looking around for country clubs where she could ply her new education. She picked The University Club in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. “The timing was just right when I got out of college as there were many opportunities for women looking for a career in golf.” The position at The University Club was available because it was a new course that had been completed in 1994.”

The University Club is a private club designed for friends and supporters of LSU athletics. A percentage of every dollar spent at the University Club supports LSU athletics. The University Club also serves as the home of the nationally ranked LSU men’s and women’s golf teams.

Emily earned her PGA Card as a Class A member in 1998 and has been readjusting her life to the southern hospitality of Baton Rouge ever since. She was the first woman head Pro in Baton Rouge and in addition to her responsibilities at The University Club, she coaches women’s golf at St. Joseph Academy (High School) and a course at LSU. “I am so busy with running golf tournaments and coaching that I seldom get a chance to play.”

Emily was chosen by Callaway to represent their product line. She was one of thirteen, and the only woman from the United States and Europe to be selected as Callaway’s Custom Fitter of the Year. In addition she was chosen by the PGA as the Merchandiser of the Year in the Gulf State Section.

I asked her what she thought of Anaka Sorenson playing in the men’s golf tournament and about women playing at Augusta at the Masters.

“I am kind of old fashioned in that regard,” she stated, “I don’t have anything against it, but the men have their tour and we have ours, and it isn’t really necessary to mix them up.”

Emily talks with the ease and confidence of a professional and is hoping to marry and have a slew of children. One of her fondest memories is of her Grandpa Howey and her dad waking her up on Saturday mornings at Clear Lake and taking her golfing.