Vargas, McNelly Receive Holistic Experience at PGA Works Collegiate
May 17, 2022 | Women's Golf, Sports Extra
By: D. Scott Fritchen
Haley Vargas and Gabriela McNelly thought about a moment like this for several years, making the final walk together. They had done so at Colbert Hills too many times to count. But those trips were usually following practice rounds. This was different. Here they were, two Kansas State women's golfers, heading to the Union League Liberty Hill clubhouse one and two, first and second, at the women's PGA Works Collegiate Championship in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
"A great moment," Vargas said.
It hit McNelly when they hugged after their putts on the ninth hole. They signed their cards. They made the walk. It didn't hit Vargas until later. It hit her when she received the trophy at the awards ceremony at the front of the clubhouse. Club officials delivered speeches. She held the trophy.
"I thought, 'OK, it's real,'" Vargas said. "It set in for me that this had actually happened, and I won on a big stage. When I got the hotel and talked to my parents on the phone, that was a great moment."
Vargas, a native of Lubbock, Texas, fired a career-low 1-over par 215 to earn her first collegiate win at Union League Liberty Hill. She carded an even-par 70 second round and a 1-under par 71. McNelly, a native of Mico, Texas, shot a 4-over par 218 to finish in second place, her first career top-five finish. Her 11 birdies throughout the 54 holes were the most of anyone in her division.
The PGA Works Collegiate Championship is annually open to all minority men and women student-athletes playing collegiate golf at the Division I, Division II, Division III, NAIA and NJCAA level. The women's field included 24 golfers that played on two courses — the Union League Golf Club at Torresdale and Union League Liberty Hill. Torrensdale is a par-70, 5,715-yard course and Liberty Hill is a par-72, 6,159-yard course. Liberty Hill is regarded as the No. 1 city club in the country and was established in 1862.
Liberty Hill will be regarded by Vargas and McNelly as the place where they carved out their own personal history on May 4. Vargas will be a senior captain next year and McNelly will be a junior for the Wildcats.
"You're listening to the speeches and all of the sudden it's like, 'Wow, we've made it this far,'" McNelly said. "Haley and I play all the time, but to share that moment with her, that's something we're going to remember forever. Playing with her on the final round at the gorgeous course in Philadelphia is an experience I'll never forget."
It's not just the memory of the golf course that they'll remember.
On the eve of the first day of competition, attendees journeyed to the downtown Comcast Technology Center and listened to golf experts at the Beyond the Green, a career exploration event held in conjunction with the PGA of America Championships. "The event is designed to educate and inspire talent from historically underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in the business of golf and beyond," according to African American Golfer's Digest.
PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh told the crowd, "Golf is cool!" and made a lasting impact upon McNelly.
"He said, 'Grind with grace,'" McNelly said. "He was just saying that if you're going to work at something you grind and do what you have to do, but to treat people the way they need to be treated and act accordingly. Present yourself in a way that, yes, you're working hard, but not just as an athlete, but by going above and beyond to become a better person.
"I expected this to be just another tournament, but this experience was something that was so eye-opening and so rewarding being a college athlete."
The convention featured several panel discussions, including "The Golf Biz," "What's in the Bag," and "We Got Next," which featured a variety of experts involved in various aspects of the golf industry. Companies, such as Callaway, presented attendees with their services, internship, and career information. Student-athletes received valuable networking opportunities, as well.
"They just really presented us a lot of opportunities that we aren't able to explore as student-athletes because we're usually traveling when they have career days or are in our different competition seasons and miss those potential opportunities," Vargas said. "These employers know that we're getting our schoolwork done and are competing at a high level. They know what college athletes can accomplish with determination and hard work. They tried to give us these opportunities that are really immaculate and great."
Both Vargas and McNelly returned to their respective hometowns following spring final exams. They plan to compete in four or five events across the state of Texas over the summer. Vargas met with returning players to discuss expectations heading into the summer months. The team is scheduled to report back to Manhattan on August 18.
"We talked about working on our weaknesses and making them strengths and really devoting our time to golf," Vargas said. "I really emphasized to our team that we need to focus and get ready because our goal is to play in the postseason. We have competed at that level, and if our girls put in the work and are determined we can get there. We just need a strong season going in and to keep our expectation with the mindset of playing in May and we'll be there."
McNelly said she is "pumped" for the upcoming season and that her and Vargas showed that "Hey, we've got this." She said their performances provide reassurance that "the sky is the limit."
"I'm ready," she continued. "Me and Haley will be the upperclassmen next year. Having Haley as that senior leader, she's a great leader and we're going to do great things next year.
"I've had a lot of confidence. It's been about being patient and knowing it's coming. I put in the hours and the practice and made the sacrifices, and it was coming. I saw glimpses of it in Philly. Yes, I shot very well, but I still have little things here and there I can clean up. But it's golf, and you just have to keep on grinding and going."
It might only be a matter of time before Vargas and McNelly make another final walk — together.
Haley Vargas and Gabriela McNelly thought about a moment like this for several years, making the final walk together. They had done so at Colbert Hills too many times to count. But those trips were usually following practice rounds. This was different. Here they were, two Kansas State women's golfers, heading to the Union League Liberty Hill clubhouse one and two, first and second, at the women's PGA Works Collegiate Championship in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
"A great moment," Vargas said.
It hit McNelly when they hugged after their putts on the ninth hole. They signed their cards. They made the walk. It didn't hit Vargas until later. It hit her when she received the trophy at the awards ceremony at the front of the clubhouse. Club officials delivered speeches. She held the trophy.
"I thought, 'OK, it's real,'" Vargas said. "It set in for me that this had actually happened, and I won on a big stage. When I got the hotel and talked to my parents on the phone, that was a great moment."
Vargas, a native of Lubbock, Texas, fired a career-low 1-over par 215 to earn her first collegiate win at Union League Liberty Hill. She carded an even-par 70 second round and a 1-under par 71. McNelly, a native of Mico, Texas, shot a 4-over par 218 to finish in second place, her first career top-five finish. Her 11 birdies throughout the 54 holes were the most of anyone in her division.
The PGA Works Collegiate Championship is annually open to all minority men and women student-athletes playing collegiate golf at the Division I, Division II, Division III, NAIA and NJCAA level. The women's field included 24 golfers that played on two courses — the Union League Golf Club at Torresdale and Union League Liberty Hill. Torrensdale is a par-70, 5,715-yard course and Liberty Hill is a par-72, 6,159-yard course. Liberty Hill is regarded as the No. 1 city club in the country and was established in 1862.
Liberty Hill will be regarded by Vargas and McNelly as the place where they carved out their own personal history on May 4. Vargas will be a senior captain next year and McNelly will be a junior for the Wildcats.
"You're listening to the speeches and all of the sudden it's like, 'Wow, we've made it this far,'" McNelly said. "Haley and I play all the time, but to share that moment with her, that's something we're going to remember forever. Playing with her on the final round at the gorgeous course in Philadelphia is an experience I'll never forget."
It's not just the memory of the golf course that they'll remember.
On the eve of the first day of competition, attendees journeyed to the downtown Comcast Technology Center and listened to golf experts at the Beyond the Green, a career exploration event held in conjunction with the PGA of America Championships. "The event is designed to educate and inspire talent from historically underrepresented backgrounds to pursue careers in the business of golf and beyond," according to African American Golfer's Digest.
PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh told the crowd, "Golf is cool!" and made a lasting impact upon McNelly.
"He said, 'Grind with grace,'" McNelly said. "He was just saying that if you're going to work at something you grind and do what you have to do, but to treat people the way they need to be treated and act accordingly. Present yourself in a way that, yes, you're working hard, but not just as an athlete, but by going above and beyond to become a better person.
"I expected this to be just another tournament, but this experience was something that was so eye-opening and so rewarding being a college athlete."
The convention featured several panel discussions, including "The Golf Biz," "What's in the Bag," and "We Got Next," which featured a variety of experts involved in various aspects of the golf industry. Companies, such as Callaway, presented attendees with their services, internship, and career information. Student-athletes received valuable networking opportunities, as well.
"They just really presented us a lot of opportunities that we aren't able to explore as student-athletes because we're usually traveling when they have career days or are in our different competition seasons and miss those potential opportunities," Vargas said. "These employers know that we're getting our schoolwork done and are competing at a high level. They know what college athletes can accomplish with determination and hard work. They tried to give us these opportunities that are really immaculate and great."
Both Vargas and McNelly returned to their respective hometowns following spring final exams. They plan to compete in four or five events across the state of Texas over the summer. Vargas met with returning players to discuss expectations heading into the summer months. The team is scheduled to report back to Manhattan on August 18.
"We talked about working on our weaknesses and making them strengths and really devoting our time to golf," Vargas said. "I really emphasized to our team that we need to focus and get ready because our goal is to play in the postseason. We have competed at that level, and if our girls put in the work and are determined we can get there. We just need a strong season going in and to keep our expectation with the mindset of playing in May and we'll be there."
McNelly said she is "pumped" for the upcoming season and that her and Vargas showed that "Hey, we've got this." She said their performances provide reassurance that "the sky is the limit."
"I'm ready," she continued. "Me and Haley will be the upperclassmen next year. Having Haley as that senior leader, she's a great leader and we're going to do great things next year.
"I've had a lot of confidence. It's been about being patient and knowing it's coming. I put in the hours and the practice and made the sacrifices, and it was coming. I saw glimpses of it in Philly. Yes, I shot very well, but I still have little things here and there I can clean up. But it's golf, and you just have to keep on grinding and going."
It might only be a matter of time before Vargas and McNelly make another final walk — together.
Players Mentioned
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