An Interview with

Miss USA

The new Miss USA, Tara Elizabeth Conner, describes herself as a "golf fanatic." The 5'5" twenty-year old Miss Kentucky, was crowned Miss USA on April 21st and will compete for the Miss Universe title on July 23rd in Los Angeles – live on NBC. What's also noteworthy is that Donald Trump – along with NBC – owns the company that produces Miss Universe, Miss USA and Miss Teen USA. That means we will be seeing more of her on television and perhaps on the golf course.

I wanted to learn more about how Miss USA became a golfer and was lucky enough to interview her on April 27th. Following are excerpts from our interview.

Q. How did you get interested in golf?

Miss USA: I first played golf last November. My boyfriend, who is a golfer, took me out on the golf course. I said "I'll take a shot at it." The first three swings I missed – that was pretty embarrassing. When I actually hit the ball, it went a good distance. Since then, I have had a few informal lessons from the high school golf coach and some friends. Everyone says that I have a real natural swing. My grandfather owned a driving range when I was little. I didn't play then, but maybe I have golf in my blood.

Q. Do you keep score or have a handicap?

Miss USA: For me, golf is a fun thing – it's not about competing. I keep getting better and now can par a hole – even birdie a hole. Most of the time I play scrambles when I play with friends.

Q. You go to college and work. How do you find time to golf?

Miss USA: I am a member of our local municipal course in Jamestown [Jamestown is a small town in the south central part of Kentucky]. Sometimes I play nine holes in the morning before I go to work – or after work. I try to play every day. I'm a golf fanatic.

Q. What if Mr. Trump invited you to play at one of his courses? Or, appear on The Apprentice?

Miss USA: The only course I have played is The Links here in Jamestown, but I would like to play one of Mr. Trump's courses. That would be awesome. I would really like to play golf with Mr. Trump. I don't think I will be intimidated. If I hit a bad shot, then I will laugh it off. Maybe I could give him a run for his money. I don't think they will find a spot for me on The Apprentice, but I will definitely let you know if they do!

Q. Let's talk about golf clothes. What do you like to wear on the golf course? What would you wear if you there was a "Golf Outfit Competition" at a beauty pageant?

Miss USA: I'm a casual person. I follow the dress code at The Links and usually just wear a skort and a collared polo-top. My golf shoes are not very flattering. If it were a golf outfit competition, I would probably wear a cute skort – on the short side -- my legs are one of my better assets -- and a short-sleeve polo. I would wear the top out – not tucked in – and a cute visor; all probably in light pink or light blue.

Q. Do you have a favorite golf ball?

Miss USA: Yes, I love those pink crystal balls with the pink ribbons on it that support breast cancer. Miss USA is an advocate for breast cancer and ovarian cancer awareness – I feel strongly about that.

Q. As Miss USA would you consider promoting golf for women – especially younger women in The First Tee and USGA-LPGA Girls Golf programs?

Miss USA: Yes, I would like to try that.

Q. Some women gripe because golf courses aren't very women friendly. What's your opinion on that?

Miss USA: That's not a problem for me. I live in a small town and everyone is friendly. Our local golf course has lots of women golfers.

Q. Can you recall an embarrassing moment on the golf course – and an impressive one?

Miss USA: Once I was chipping on to a green, and the ball went too high and too long and hit a dog! That was pretty bad. My best memory – my tee shot on a par-3 hole landed two feet from the pin and I made the putt for my first birdie!

Q. Miss Universe is just a couple of months away. How are you preparing for that?

Miss USA: I just try to keep myself healthy and my energy up.

Q. All the women golfers join me wishing you "Good Luck" in the Miss Universe competition July 23rd. And, please keep playing golf.

To read Miss Conner's official interview, click http://www.missusa.com/delegates/2006/files/KY-interview.html. To read about the Miss Universe Corporation, click http://www.missusa.com/corpinfo/index.html. (This interview appeared initially on www.cybergolf.com.)

Nancy Berkley is an expert on women’s golf. Her book, Women Welcome Here! A Guide to Growing Women’s Golf, published in 2003 by the National Golf Foundation, is the industry reference on how-to attract and retain women golfers. She updates her market research and offers insights in to the women’s golf segment on her website www.nancyberkley.com designed for golf course managers and instructors as well as women golfers.

Nancy consults with businesses and golf facilities on how to increase participation and revenues from women golfers. She reviews courses for golf travel publications including the May 2006 issue of Cigar Aficianado. Nancy writes the Woman’s Golf page for www.cybergolf.com, and is a contributor to www.ladiesgolfjourney.com. She is author of the Golf Corner for New Jersey Garden State Woman magazine www.gswoman.com.

A respected resource in the golf industry, Nancy participates in Golf 20/20, the annual strategic invitation-only conference sponsored by the PGA Tour, the PGA, the LPGA, and the World Golf Foundation. She has spoken at numerous golf industry conferences and is available for speaking engagements on a wide variety of topics about women’s golf. Nancy is a member of WIGI – Women in the Golf Industry Association.

Nancy describes herself as a bogey golfer and plays on her home courses in Florida and New Jersey.

To contact her, write, call or email Nancy at: Nancy Berkley, Berkley Consulting, 242 Eagleton Estates Blvd, Palm Beach Gardens, FL or at info@nancyberkley.com. For more information about Nancy Berkley see http://www.nancyberkley.com/676304.html.

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