Kelly Tilghman- Bio, Career, Height, 7 Amazing Facts

Building a successful career in a male-dominated field is no mean feat. Kelly Tilghman is well known and celebrated as the first-ever female lead golf announcer for the all-male PGA TOUR. Even though she began her career in broadcasting by chance, she has proven over time that she ‘knows her onions’. She is knowledgeable, smart and genuinely cares about the players which shine through in her reporting.

Even though she has chosen to put an end to her twenty-two years broadcasting career with the Golf Channel, she has revealed that she can’t imagine herself totally quitting broadcasting. She just needs to take a step back and appreciate all that she has done before deciding the next chapter for her.

Who is Kelly Tilghman?

Born on the 6th of August 1969 in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. She is the first child and daughter of Phil and Kathryn Tilghman who went ahead to have 4 sons after Kelly. Her father once served as the Mayor of North Myrtle Beach for 14 years while her mother worked for many years as a media salesperson and a professional Shag dancer.

Growing up was fun for Kelly and she spent most of her time at the family-owned -Gator Hole- Golf course where she learned how to play golf and had lots of practice.

Kelly Started Her Career As a College Student

Kelly began to play professional golf while studying for her degree in Political Science and History at Duke University. She earned a scholarship to play on her university’s women golf team and played professionally in Australia, Europe, and Asia while serving as a teaching and touring pro.

After a Mini Tour overseas, she met a retired TV executive who commended her for her ‘distinctive’ voice and asked if she was interested in a career on television. This led to an internship at West Palm Beach, Fla., in 1996. This was where she met Scott Van Pelt from whom she heard about the Golf Channel and decided to interview for a position.

After she joined the Golf Channel, she was said to be too raw to appear on air so she put in time shadowing other reporters and in the video library. She then moved to a production assistant, and then graphics before getting to be on air.

In 2007 after PGA Tour signed a fifteen-year deal with The Golf Channel. Kelly became an anchor teaming up with Nick Faldo.

In 2018, Kelly retired from her position with the Golf Channel after a 22-year run.

Kelly Tilghman Is Very Tall

Kelly is not the tallest woman one would find, but she is still blessed with good looks and a great body. The beauty stands at a height of 5 feet 6 inches (1.68m) tall.

Intriguing Facts About Her

1. Growing up in the golf industry

Kelly Tilghman practically grew up in the golf industry. Her parents loved sports and operated a golf course for twenty-two years. This was how the love for the sports was instilled into her. The wealth of knowledge she possesses about the sport is one of the reasons she remains one of the best golf announcers to date.

2. Alleged racist comments about Tiger Woods

Kelly has had her fair share of controversies over the years. On the 4th of January 2008 during a Tour Telecast, she responded to her co-anchor (Nick Faldo)’s joke that young players should gang up on Tiger Woods by saying they should lynch him in a back alley.

Several civil rights activists called for her dismissal as her comment was perceived as racist and disrespectful to blacks. She apologized 2 days later and went on two weeks suspension because of her comment.

3. Her relationship with Tiger Woods is still cordial

During the time of Kelly’s controversial comments, Wood’s agent commented that she didn’t have any ill intent. Despite all this, she continues to enjoy a close relationship with Woods. She has appeared as an announcer on several of his video games including Tiger Woods PGA Tour 09, 10, and 11. She has also worked on several of his corporate outings.

4. Golf Playing Accolade

Kelly played golf professionally overseas and on mini-tours. In 1990, she won the Lady Paladin Invitational which was hosted by Furman University. She had 3 top 20 finishes and also tied for the 33rd place in 1991 NCAA placing Duke University in the 13th position.

5. Married Life

Kelly Tilghman has worked hard to keep information about her private life off the media. Even though information about her spouse is not known, she is happily married with a daughter (Ryan). She is yet to share the name or even a picture of her spouse and daughter. She has revealed that one of the reasons she decided to retire from her position as an anchor is to be able to spend more time in the home front.

6. Is Kelly Tilghman a Lesbian?

Being a prominent figure comes with pros and cons. Fans can speculate and even fabricate information about any celebrity. Some years back, it went around the rumor mills that Kelly was a lesbian and was dating a woman seriously but has chosen to keep things under the radar.

Kelly on the other hand never came out to openly refute or confirm the news. So it came as a shock while she was announcing her retirement in 2018 when she reiterated that she was happily married with a daughter.

7. She has gotten better at Public Speaking

This week marks my 20 yr anniversary working with @GolfChannel
I cherish the place and the people. pic.twitter.com/UISQcNvPeM

— Kelly Tilghman (@KellyTGolf) July 10, 2016

While in college, Kelly Tilghman recalls taking a public speaking course which she felt was a total disaster. She recalls doing a five-minute talk and was very self-conscious throughout and even forgot to blink. As she became a broadcaster and continued to work on herself, she has become a confident, poise, and ace announcer.

Complete profile of Kelly Tilghman