For LPGA Legend Heather Bowie Young, Highland Meadows Golf Club is more than just a golf course. It’s the home of many firsts, including her first win and first top finish. But it was also the first place many learned she was dating her then caddie and now husband, Jeremy.
Jeremy Young carried Bowie’s bag for the 2005 Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic, the tournament where she picked up her first and only LPGA Tour win. A celebratory kiss alerted the world to their relationship, and now, 20 years later, Jeremy is once again on the bag at Highland Meadows Golf Club. But this time, it’s for the Legends of the LPGA’s Greater Toledo Classic hosted by Stacy Lewis.
“It was a hard launch,” Bowie Young said with a smile. “But yeah, I did think yesterday, it was 20 years ago, and I’ve got the same caddy and the same putter… Everything else has changed, but that’s it. And I still have long shorts too.”
The Florida native may not have a local tie to the tournament as either a native or collegiate Buckeye, but after a 25-year history with Sylvania, Ohio, she feels like part of the community. Warmly embraced every year she plays in this community, Bowie Young is always excited to return. And it was evident on Friday morning, even in rainy conditions, just how much the town loves and supports women’s golf at any level.
“There’s a country song out now that I heard last week, and it’s so true. This town’s been good to us, to both Jeremy and me,” said Bowie Young. “It’s been really good to me. I had my first top five, first top three, first win. I think I have a first through sixth here. I just love the town. I love coming here, how the town embraces us, and it’s just good memories.”
As for her history with the course, the 49-year-old is hoping to add to it this week at the Greater Toledo Classic hosted by Stacy Lewis. A dual tournament that will see both the Epson Tour and the Legends of the LPGA tee it up, with 42 former LPGA icons facing off against each other, competing for the inaugural trophy and $150,000.
For Bowie Young, the tournament serves two purposes: to prepare for another big tournament, the U.S. Senior Women’s Open, and to hoist another trophy in Toledo.
“I’m trying to get ready for the U.S. (Senior Women’s) Open, my first senior open, but I definitely came here to try to win the golf tournament,” said Bowie Young. “I want to have fun, but I’m going to try and win the golf tournament.”
Adding another win to her resume, especially in a place with such rich history like Sylvania, Ohio, would mean just a little bit more, both professionally and personally.
“A win’s a win. I think I did win a mini-tour event between then and now, but I haven’t really won a big tournament in 20 years, so it would be amazing,” Bowie Young added.
Outside of the ropes, Bowie Young is the head coach for Florida Atlantic University’s women’s golf team, shaping the next generation of stars in the female game, which is also the exact goal of the Greater Toledo Classic. She has followed some Epson Tour careers this year, specifically 2025 rookie and Epson Tour winner, Melanie Green, excitedly watching from afar.
But this week, Bowie Young gets to see it up close. She even considers it to be an opportunity to learn, too, not just a chance to serve as a mentor.
“I think they’ll learn something from us. I don’t know what, but I think I’ll definitely learn something from them, too,” said Bowie Young. “So, that’s what I’m looking forward to. They may see a hole differently than I do, or they may just carry themselves differently. And I mean, we can all learn from each other.”
Her pursuit of another trophy began Friday morning at 12:31 p.m. local time. Through 18 holes, she sits in a share of seventh at 1-under, not at all out of contention heading into Moving Day.