ZANESVILLE -- When describing professional golfer Michele Redman, those who know her best inevitably use the word "perseverance." On June 29, Redman is returning home to attend the Zane State College Foundation Afternoon Tee Women's Golf Outing at the Zanesville Country Club. There, her mother will be honored for her nurturing care and loving encouragement that were the impetus behind Redman's rise and outstanding accomplishments as professional golfer. Proceeds from the event will provide scholarships for area college women who, through their own perseverance, are changing their lives through education.
"I cannot think of a more appropriate person to honor at this first women's golf outing than Maggie Redman, who has so clearly created opportunities for her daughter to excel," said Pamela Jira, executive director of the Zane State College Foundation. "Thanks to Maggie's influence, Michele Redman is a wonderful role model for our students who are driven to reach their career goals in spite of obstacles they may face."
Michele Redman demonstrated her persistence at an early age when she began to play golf at the Zanesville Country Club, where her parents were members. Her mother suggested that her daughter -- who was also an avid tennis player -- concentrate on one sport in order to excel. Redman chose golf.
"Michele started hitting balls, and hitting balls, and hitting balls," her mother remembers. "It just took off from there."
In her early teens, Redman participated in her first tournament at the Columbus Country Club where she played remarkably well. Redman took what she learned from that first tournament and continued to refine her game. As a student at Zanesville High School, she was the only girl -- and the best player -- on the boy's varsity golf team. When her mother saw that Redman played better than even the coach, she knew her daughter had a future as a professional golfer.
Zanesville Country Club golf pro Mike Durant also witnessed Redman's early promise.
He played against Redman as a member of the boy's golf team at Rosecrans High School.
"There is nothing Michele wouldn't do to get better," said Durant. "I remember her criss-crossing the country to play golf or to get a lesson on her short game."
After high school, Redman played for Indiana University where she was the Big Ten Conference champion in 1987. Redman joined the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour in 1992.
Her professional career has included two LPGA wins and numerous top-ten wins. She played for a several years on the U.S. Solheim Cup Team, the women's equivalent of the Ryder Cup.
Now living in Minnesota, Redman will return to Zanesville where she will participate in honoring her mother at the Afternoon Tee Women's Golf Outing.
Redman will also conduct a golf clinic at the event sponsored by The Community Bank. Following the outing, Redman will travel to Toledo where she will play in the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic tournament.
"Golf has been a wonderful, wonderful experience for Michele," said her mother. "It's just like anything else in life -- you have your ups and your downs. You don't always hit the ball straight down the fairway. You have to forget about the shot you hit in the water. That's the mental part of the game -- that's the hard part. You just have to persevere."
For information about the Zane State College Foundation Afternoon Tee Drive for Women Golf Outing, visit www.zanestate.edu or call (740) 588-1206.
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