Donna’s LPGA Career

Donna joined the LPGA tour in 1990 and steadily improved her ranking each year before getting her first win in 1993 and ending the year ranked ninth.  Golf Digest named her “Most Improved Player” in 1993.  By the end of 1994, Donna had won three more tournaments, including one major championship.  She ended the season ranked fifth, making her mark in the LPGA as one of the top players.

In 1996, she and teammate Mike Hulbert won the $1.5 million JCPenney Classic, the biggest win of her career, beating Tiger Woods and his teammate, Kelli Kuehne.  Donna had a great year in 1997, winning the Welch’s/Circle K Championship in Tucson, Arizona and finishing thirteen on the money list rankings.

1998 marked Donna’s most successful financial season of her career.  She captured her sixth career victory with a win at the Longs Drug Challenge and had four consecutive runner-up finishes:  the Sara Lee Classic, the McDonald’s LPGA Championship, the Michelob Light Classic, and the Oldsmobile Classic.  Donna finished the season as the top ranked American and was ranked third on the money list.

Unfortunately Donna dislocated her shoulder in 1999 and was out the last half of the season.  She made a strong come-back in 2000 and 2001 but decided it was time to expand her horizons.  Along with playing, she started working part-time for ESPN as an on-course commentator in 2001.  Since then she has continued to cut back her playing schedule so she could work full time for ESPN.  When she cut back her playing schedule she began concentrating on teaching golf.

In 2003 and 2004 Donna served as president of the LPGA players division.  The experience helped educate her about all facets of the golfing industry.  In 2004 and 2005, Donna worked full time for ESPN and taught at Pine Needles Resort with the legendary Peggy Kirk Bell in her ladies golf schools.