Lendl slated to work with USGA during rules changes transition

She has the famous last name, but Daniela Lendl has already made quite the name for herself before turning 25.

She was a fine golfer, playing for the University of Alabama women’s team. She tried her hand at coaching for the University of Denver women’s golf team — as an assistant — then spent the last two years working for the Connecticut State Golf Association.

Beginning next month, Lendl will start working for the United States Golf Association to help with the transition process of the reworked Rules of Golf set to debut Jan. 1, 2019.

“It will probably be the only time in my lifetime that we will have such big proposed changes. This doesn’t come around very often,” Lendl said. “The experience I’ll get at the USGA will certainly be second to none. The opportunity to work with some of the greatest minds in the world is certainly intriguing.”

If the last name sounds familiar, it should. Daniela is one of five daughters to father Ivan, the former No. 1 tennis player in the world. She grew up in Goshen. Ivan now coaches another No. 1 tennis player, Andy Murray.

Daniela has had a number of different responsibilities with the CSGA. She is currently the director of women’s golf and member services. Last week, she ran the Connecticut Women’s Amateur at Manchester Country Club — a tournament Lendl won in 2009 at Smith Richardson GC.

“After I went to Denver, I realized tournament administration was what I loved and the CSGA has helped me with that,” Lendl said. “I’ve learned a lot from Mike (Moraghan, the CSGA’s executive director), Ryan (Hoffman, the director of operation, rules and competitions) and Brent (Paladino, director of competitions and communications). They’ve all taught me a lot and I will miss working with them, but I know they will always be there for me.”

The USGA opportunity was unexpected, but one Lendl couldn’t pass up. The organization is making a large number of rules changes, making them easier to understand and to access.

“I will be involved in answering a lot of inquiries with the new changes, which for me will be a great learning experience,” Lendl said. “Obviously, you’re not really expecting it. You don’t know when these opportunities will come your way. For me, I felt like it was a chance I was willing to take. I’m excited to be in a part of history in the golf industry with the changes coming up.”

The USGA is currently accepting input from anyone regarding the proposed rules. That should happen for the rest of the calendar year.

Lendl said her mom and dad both were supportive of her decision. She will be moving nearby the USGA office in Far Hills, New Jersey.

“The CSGA has certainly given me experience I couldn’t have gotten anywhere else. I’ll take that with me to the USGA,” Lendl aid.

Week in review

Autumn Serruta won her first Connecticut Women’s Amateur title last Wednesday at Manchester CC by two shots over former champion Jen Holland. John Elliott won the Connecticut Senior Open in a playoff over Billy Downes last Tuesday.

Bobby Leopold of Rhode Island won the New England Amateur at Metacomet CC in East Providence, Rhode Island last Thursday by a shot. John Abbott of Timberlin GC in Kensington and Rasmey Kong of North Haven were the top state finishers in a tie for sixth place, five behind Leopold.

Former Yale University golfer Thomas McCarthy was the lone qualifier for the U.S. Amateur out of Lyman Orchards GC last Monday, firing a tworound total of 5-under 137. Dean Naime of New York (137) and Nicklaus Harrington of Chaplin (138) qualified out of the CC of Farmington, also last Monday.

The U.S. Amateur will be held Aug. 14-20 at Riviera CC in Pacific Palisades, California.