The new Miss USA, Tara Elizabeth Conner, describes herself as a "golf fanatic." The 5-foot 5-inch 20-year old Miss Kentucky, was crowned Miss USA on April 21st and will compete for the Miss Universe title on July 23rd in Los Angeles – live on NBC. What's also noteworthy is that Donald Trump – along with NBC – owns the company that produces Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA. That means we will be seeing more of her on television and perhaps on the golf course.
I wanted to learn more about how Miss USA became a golfer and was lucky enough to interview her on April 27th. Following are excerpts from our interview.
Q. How did you get interested in golf?
Miss USA: I first played golf last November. My boyfriend, who is a golfer, took me out on the golf course. I said "I'll take a shot at it." The first three swings I missed – that was pretty embarrassing. When I actually hit the ball, it went a good distance. Since then, I have had a few informal lessons from the high school golf coach and some friends. Everyone says that I have a real natural swing. My grandfather owned a driving range when I was little. I didn't play then, but maybe I have golf in my blood.
Q. Do you keep score or have a handicap?
Miss USA: For me, golf is a fun thing – it's not about competing. I keep getting better and now can par a hole – even birdie a hole. Most of the time I play scrambles when I play with friends.
Q. You go to college and work. How do you find time to golf?
Miss USA: I am a member of our local municipal course in Jamestown [Jamestown is a small town in the south central part of Kentucky]. Sometimes I play nine holes in the morning before I go to work – or after work. I try to play every day. I'm a golf fanatic.
Q. What if Mr. Trump invited you to play at one of his courses? Or appear on “The Apprentice”?
Miss USA: The only course I have played is The Links here in Jamestown, but I would like to play one of Mr. Trump’s courses. That would be awesome. I would really like to play golf with Mr. Trump. I don’t think I will be intimidated. If I hit a bad shot, then I will laugh it off. Maybe I could give him a run for his money. I don’t think they will find a spot for me on “The Apprentice,” but I will definitely let you know if they do!
Q. Let’s talk about golf clothes. What do you like to wear on the golf course? What would you wear if you there was a "Golf Outfit Competition" at a beauty pageant?
Miss USA: I’m a casual person. I follow the dress code at The Links and usually just wear a skort and a collared polo-top. My golf shoes are not very flattering. If it were a golf outfit competition, I would probably wear a cute skort – on the short side – my legs are one of my better assets – and a short-sleeve polo. I would wear the top out – not tucked in – and a cute visor; all probably in light pink or light blue.
Q. Do you have a favorite golf ball?
Miss USA: Yes, I love those pink crystal balls with the pink ribbons on it that support breast cancer. Miss USA is an advocate for breast cancer and ovarian cancer awareness – I feel strongly about that.
Q. As Miss USA, would you consider promoting golf for women – especially younger women in The First Tee and USGA-LPGA Girls Golf programs?
Miss USA: Yes, I would like to try that.
Q. Some women gripe because golf courses aren’t very women-friendly. What’s your opinion on that?
Miss USA: That’s not a problem for me. I live in a small town and everyone is friendly. Our local golf course has lots of women golfers.
Q. Can you recall an embarrassing moment on the golf course – and an impressive one?
Miss USA: Once I was chipping on to a green, and the ball went too high and too long and hit a dog! That was pretty bad. My best memory – my tee shot on a par-3 hole landed 2 feet from the pin and I made the putt for my first birdie!
Q. Miss Universe is just a couple of months away. How are you preparing for that?
Miss USA: I just try to keep myself healthy and my energy up.
Nancy: All the women golfers join me wishing you "Good Luck" in the Miss Universe competition July 23rd. And, please keep playing golf.
To read Miss Conner’s official interview, visit
http://www.missusa.com/delegates/2006/files/KY-interview.html. To read about the Miss Universe Corporation, visit
http://www.missusa.com/corpinfo/index.html.
Nancy Berkley is an expert on women’s golf. Her book, “Women Welcome Here! A Guide to Growing Women’s Golf,” published in 2003 by the National Golf Foundation, is the industry reference on how-to attract and retain women golfers. She updates her research and best practices on her website
www.nancyberkley.com.
Nancy consults with facilities on how they can increase participation and revenues from women golfers and is a frequent speaker at industry events. Nancy also reviews courses for “The Golf Insider,” an international golf and travel newsletter, and “Ladies Golf Journey,” a golf publication for women. She’s contributed articles to “Golf For Women” magazine and is the author of the 2004 PGA Magazine cover story about women golfers.
A respected resource in the golf industry, Nancy participates in Golf 20/20, the annual strategic invitation-only conference sponsored by the PGA Tour, the PGA, the LPGA, and the World Golf Foundation. At the November 2004 Conference, she moderated the panel discussions on player development with a focus on women golfers. She has addressed the National Golf Course Owner’s Association at their National Conference as well as at numerous marketing seminars for the PGA and LPGA professionals. Nancy serves as a consultant to the Golden Links Advisory Board of Corporate Meetings & Incentives, a PRIMEDIA Business Publication. Nancy is an experienced golfer and has competed on the Metropolitan Women’s Golf Association (N.J., N.Y., Conn.) interclub matches. She’s served on the Board and Golf Committees of her golf clubs in Florida and New Jersey.
In 1998, Nancy founded Berkley Consulting and The Woman’s Only Guide® to Golf to share her long-time passion for golf and to help grow the game. Prior to working in the golf industry, Nancy was an attorney for a Wall Street firm and then held a number of senior executive positions with Prudential Financial, including Assistant General Counsel and Vice President of Corporate Marketing & Business Integration. Nancy began her professional career as a high school teacher.
Nancy holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Minnesota; a master’s degree in teaching from Harvard University Graduate School of Education; and a law degree from Rutgers University School of Law, where she was a member of the Law Review. She is a graduate of the Program for Management Development at Harvard Business School.
Nancy describes herself as a bogey golfer and plays on her home courses in Florida and New Jersey. To contact her, write, call or email Nancy at: Nancy Berkley, Berkley Consulting, 242 Eagleton Estates Blvd, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 561-776-7243 or at
info@nancyberkley.com.
