Caitlin Clark, the well-known basketball star, recently took part in a pro-am golf event held at the Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida. The event, part of the LPGA’s Annika driven by Gainbridge tournament, saw Clark joined by her Indiana Fever teammates, Sophie Cunningham and Lexie Hull, who acted as guest caddies for the day.
The presence of Clark and her teammates created a buzz, drawing a large crowd of spectators. The Golf Channel even provided a three-hour live broadcast of the event, showing the popularity and interest Clark brings to women’s sports.
Before the event started, Clark jokingly asked about Cunningham and Hull, wondering why they weren’t there to support her. Soon after, her teammates arrived, full of energy and curiosity about their caddie roles. They playfully checked their caddie bibs for snacks or drinks, adding to the lighthearted atmosphere.
With Cunningham and Hull as her caddies, Clark appeared even more relaxed and happy on the golf course, playing her second favorite sport. The three athletes shared jokes and smiles, making the day enjoyable for everyone around. As the caddies took their turn hitting the ball, Cunningham humorously mentioned her past golf experience, recalling an incident where she thought she might have hit a squirrel. Hull also took a shot, though it didn’t go as planned, blaming it on using Clark’s driver and teeing the ball too low.
Clark mentioned that she had spent the previous evening with her teammates, and even had Cunningham take a practice swing. She was impressed with Cunningham’s swing, saying it was better than she expected. She also noted that Hull, who enjoys golfing with her fiancé, is usually better than her performance on the 10th tee that day. Clark playfully suggested that her teammates might be better off sticking to drinking and walking around the course.
Despite being competitive, Clark doesn’t take her golf game too seriously. Her main focus is on making sure everyone around her has a good time, which helps to promote women’s sports. The Golf Channel’s decision to broadcast Clark’s pro-am round for three hours, even longer than some weekend coverage, highlights the attention she brings to the LPGA.
The crowd at the 18th hole was larger than usual, resembling the atmosphere of a typical Sunday at an LPGA event. Organizers had set up an autograph zone for kids, making the finish more organized and enjoyable for everyone.
The Gainbridge company received an award for their work with Clark at a previous LPGA event, recognizing the impact she has on the sport. While Clark spent one less day at this year’s event, her presence continues to bring excitement and energy to the tournament.
Cunningham praised Clark, calling her a “generational player” who elevates everyone around her. She also mentioned that while they missed Clark on the basketball court this year, they hope to be reunited soon, depending on the details of their agreement. Hull added that Clark is a great person, fun-loving, and still a bit of a kid at heart, showing a different side of her that many people don’t get to see.
The event at Pelican allowed fans to see this fun side of Clark, and for a day, the LPGA benefited from her star power and the increased attention she brings to the sport.
