Special to the Town Crier
Los Altos mom's big wins spur host of congratulations
Juli Inkster supporters are ecstatic in her hometown of Los Altos after the golfer's two major championship wins last month. When not on tour, Inkster practices at the Los Altos Golf & Country Club where her husband, Brian, is the club pro.
Friends and fans walking through the plush Pro Shop at the club June 30 commented about how deserving Inkster was of her victories at the U.S. Women's Open June 6 and the LPGA Championship June 27. She also finished third at the ShopRite LPGA Classic in between those major tournament wins, giving her nearly $600,000 in prize money for the month.
"I think it's time she got the recognition that's long been due her," said Eddie Velazquez. "She had it coming."
"Very little attention had been paid to her by the media - it's coming to her much later in life," said Phil Sheridan, head starter at the Pro Shop and longtime friend of Juli and her husband.
"It's the most deserving victory I could think of. She worked hard to get where she's at." Sheridan said Inkster practiced all the time before she had children and has worked hard to schedule time for practice while still mothering her two children.
Brian Inkster has been the head pro at the club for 20 years.
"The best thing is, she always beats her husband on the golf course," said Jerry Robertson, who has known Inkster since 1982.
"I watched her progress from winning three amateur golf championships to turning pro," he said. "She has a wonderful personality - and she's absolutely vicious on the golf course."
Velazquez played golf with Inkster. "I didn't play well, though," he said. "But I enjoyed the experience thoroughly."
"I think she's a great person," Velazquez said, noting that everyone around the club "wanted the best for her" and all the women on the tour seemed to like her.
Sheridan said, "You cannot underestimate Juli as a person ... This win will not change her at all, and that's something I think is very admirable."
He said there was a huge celebration after she won the LPGA Championship. "The pro shop was packed with people," all watching the tournament on the TV in the shop. "People deserted the course to watch it," he said.
The highlight for Velazquez was when Inkster "made those two putts she had to make, followed with an eagle and two birdies."
According to General Manager Ken Kelley, the club planned to put up signs celebrating Inkster when she returned to Los Altos on June 30. Nearby Rancho Shopping Center featured a huge congratulatory sign for Inkster from second-floor offices, following her U.S. Women's Open win.
The club also held a party for Inkster when she won the U.S. Open in early June.