T-Time Podcast // Ep. 31: The Journey of Becoming One of the Top Senior Amateur Players in the Country with Shelly Haywood
Shelly Haywood has undoubtedly made a name for herself in senior women's golf. Her talent and dedication have earned her a reputation as one of the best in the country. However, playing at this elite level is no easy feat. It requires a significant investment of both time and money. Despite the challenges, Shelly has managed to emerge victorious, with an impressive track record that includes a win at the 2021 Pasadena City Women's Senior Amateur, a runner-up finish in the 2021 Ladies National Golf Association (LNGA) Women's Senior Amateur, and top 3 finishes in both the 2022 and 2021 SCGA Women's Mid-Amateur Championship.
Tori sits down with Shelly to delve deeper into her golf journey. Throughout their conversation, Shelly will share insights into her training regimen, her experiences competing at the highest level, and her challenges. Her story is one of perseverance, passion, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, and it is sure to inspire golf enthusiasts everywhere.
How Shelly Manages to be an Elite Golfer
Shelly is an elite golfer who carefully selects which tournaments to participate in. She prioritizes major tournaments and those 54 holes or more, including the LPGA, AGA Jones, Doherty, and USGA. She also competes in local tournaments in Southern California and has to balance her golf career with running her vintage furniture store specializing in mid-century modern pieces. Despite wanting to play in more tournaments, she has to be selective due to her busy schedule and the need to support herself financially.
Becoming an AM Golf Amateur
Shelly became an amateur golfer at 50 after a 10-year break from competitive play. She applied online to participate in senior women's golf tournaments and was quickly accepted. The introduction of the senior women's open at Chicago Golf Club in 2018 inspired her to start playing more and set her goal of qualifying for the event. Although she didn't qualify for Chicago Golf Club, it motivated her to continue pursuing her passion for golf.
Juggling between Golf and Business
Shelly finds it difficult to balance her golfing passion and her business responsibilities. She is lucky to play golf once a week and sometimes goes for stretches of two to three weeks without playing. Instead of quantity practice, she focuses on quality practice and puts the most effort into improving her short game. With the help of her coach, she has developed better techniques for her short game. When she does practice, she hits a bucket of balls and mostly plays on the golf course. She wishes she could play more frequently but acknowledges that her business requires attention too.
Shelly’s Two Biggest Wins
Shelly talks about her two best wins at the Jones Doherty Golf Tournament held in Fort Lauderdale every January at the Coral Ridge Country Club.
1. Jones Doherty Championship (Senior Division):
Shelly has had great success in the Jones Doherty Championship, having won the tournament twice and finished as a runner-up once. The tournament takes place every year in January at the Coral Ridge Country Club in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and consists of a stroke play qualifier followed by match play. Shelly enjoys competing in this event and particularly enjoys the course, which she feels is well-suited to her game. The tournament has a reputation for being one of the top amateur events in women's golf and boasts a long and storied history, as it is one of the oldest women's golf tournaments in the United States.
For Shelly, the Jones Doherty Championship is an important part of her annual golfing calendar, and she always looks forward to competing in it. She enjoys the challenge of playing against other top amateur golfers and relishes the opportunity to test herself on the challenging course. Despite her previous successes in the tournament, Shelly remains focused and driven, always striving to improve her game and achieve even greater success in the future.
2. California Women's Amateur Championship:
The tournament also holds a special place in Shelly's heart because it is played on the same course where she first started playing golf as a child. The course is known for its challenging layout and stunning scenery, which makes it a favorite among many golfers. Shelly feels a deep connection to the course and feels that it brings out the best in her game. Winning this tournament has given her great pride and accomplishment, and she hopes to defend her title in the future.
In addition to her success, Shelly has also been a part of winning teams in various golf tournaments over the years. She enjoys the camaraderie and support of her teammates and takes pride in contributing to the team's success. Shelly values the lessons and experiences she has gained through team competition, such as working together towards a common goal, dealing with pressure and adversity, and celebrating each other's achievements.
Shelly’s Hardest Losses
In 2019, Shelly recounts her hardest loss at the Southern Cal Senior Women's tournament. She had only started playing a year prior and was already a fierce competitor, setting high expectations for herself. The tournament was held at Victoria Country Club in Riverside, and Shelly led the first round by three shots with a score of 73. However, the following day, she struggled to find the club face and shot an 85, losing to Kathy Kart by three or four shots. Shelly was devastated, as she didn't have the necessary tools to win and didn't understand what it took to win a tournament. However, she learned from this loss and refused to let it bring her down. She even spoke with Kathy, who reassured her that she didn't need to prove herself, as everyone knew she was already an amazing player.
Shelly’s 2023 Goals
Shelly's main goal for 2023 is to qualify for the Senior Open, which takes place at Glen Dora in LA. She is currently in the top 30 of the World Amateur Golf Rankings for women over 50, exempting her from qualifying for the Senior Women's Examiner. In addition to this, Shelly aims to win the Southern or California Amateur Senior Amateur tournaments. However, her coach has advised her to adjust her goal board and focus on the process rather than the outcome of winning.
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