Nevada hosts inaugural 'Patty Sheehan Golf Tournament' to benefit women's golf program

The Nevada women's golf team hosted their inaugural 'Patty Sheehan Golf Tournament' at Somersett Golf and Country Club on Monday.

The Wolf Pack, LPGA Tour and World Golf Hall of Famer was a pioneer of the Nevada women's golf team, practicing with the men when she played in the late 1970s, as the women didn't have an official team until the late 1990s. During Sheehan's time at Nevada, she finished in the top-10 twice at the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) championships before transferring to San Jose State. In 1980, she was named the nation's top collegiate golfer, winning the Broderick Award and capturing an AIAW title.

Sheehan, who now resides primarily in Santa Barbara and Palm Springs, lived in Northern Nevada for 54 years, said she was honored when women's head golf coach Kathleen Takaishi asked her to be the name of the tournament.

"I am so proud of the Reno community for pulling together and and bringing so many people out to support women's golf here in Nevada," Sheehan said. "I couldn't be more proud. I haven't seen this much support, I don't think ever, so this is so exciting for me. It really means a lot that Coach Kathleen has asked me to be the name. I'm just really happy to be here and participate in this day of camaraderie and being a part of the team. This is what it's all about. To be able to say I did this 40-some years ago makes me very proud to see how much it's grown."

Coach Takaishi hopes the tournament will become an annual fundraiser for the program moving forward.

Sheehan added her and former Wolf Pack golfer, Robin Rose, have put together two different endowments specifically for the women's golf program, a scholarship fund and operational fund.

"The program didn't have much money and they've been kind of scraping the floor, Sheehan said. "So now they're going to be treated like, true teammates. The big sports get the highlights, but these girls, they've got great GPAs and they're such wonderful contributions to the community. I think Reno should be really proud of them."

To donate, click here.