'The Pat Bradley Room' to showcase over 100 of Bradley's career artifacts at Mass Golf

Pat Bradley, one of history’s most decorated professional golfers, is from Massachusetts, and she wants you to remember that. Next fall, Massachusetts will have a new historic attraction thanks to Bradley and the efforts of Mass Golf: The Pat Bradley Room at Mass Golf’s Official Headquarters in the William F. Connell Golf House in Norton.

“Massachusetts is a team sport state,” says Bradley, who excelled at golf, tennis and alpine skiing as a young athlete growing up in Westford, Mass. “They don’t really know me. They know some of the youngsters in golf coming up now, but I came up early. I grew up about 40 minutes from Norton. I’m hoping when the people come through and see my room, they see what I’ve done and they say, ‘geez, this young lady really had a career.’”

Earlier this year, Bradley reached out to Jesse Menachem, the Executive Director and CEO of Mass Golf, and offered her entire collection of trophies and memorabilia for a perpetual exhibit. “He was thrilled, and he said they would be honored,” recalls Bradley. “I have been smiling ever since.”

(AP Photo/Marty Lederhandler) - Pat Bradley was named LPGA Player of the Year twice.

Twice named LPGA Tour Player of the Year (1986, 1991), Bradley is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, the LPGA Hall of Fame, the Massachusetts Golf Hall of Fame and the New Hampshire Golf Hall of Fame. Her collection includes numerous trophies, tapes, photographs, and pieces of golf memorabilia and equipment from Bradley’s 25-year career on the LPGA Tour that featured 31 trips to the winner’s circle and six major championship titles.

“The crown jewel is my U.S. Open trophy,” notes Bradley, one of only six women in the history of women’s professional golf to complete the career grand slam (1986), meaning she won all four of the major championships held in her era.

“I had a replica made by a silversmith in England, and that will be on display,” says Bradley. “There are only two of us from Massachusetts who have won a U.S. Open – me and Mr. Francis Ouimet (1913). My room will be across the hall from his.”

Bradley is the winningest female golf professional to hail from Massachusetts; over 100 of her personal artifacts will be featured in the newly constructed exhibit. Two of the foremost experts in the field of collection and estate appraisal -- renowned sports estate and memorabilia appraisal expert Leila Dunbar and author, historian, and museum curator/consultant Rand Jerris – have been retained by Mass Golf to assist in itemizing, categorizing and valuating Bradley’s unique collection.

(Photo Golf Magazine) - Pat Bradley completed the career grand slam, winning all four majors held in her era.

Once an architect is secured, design and construction of The Pat Bradley Room will ensue with a ribbon cutting set for September 2025. In addition to her major championship trophies, visitors to her room will see, in Pat’s words:

• “My trophies, my golf bags, my Planter’s Peanuts from Nabisco…”

• “The set of Bob Rosberg’s clubs I used to win the U.S. Open at LaGrange.”

• “A picture of me at 15 years old with Mr. Ouimet and I’m just standing there, looking up at him, you know? Who knew, right?”

• “I was one of the 100 Heroes of Golf at the Centennial, so some items from that when we were honored at the Waldorf Astoria in New York.”

• “A picture and plaque from the Metropolitan Golf Writers – the Gold Tee Award, which is very, very special.”

• “A picture with Gene Sarazen. A picture with Althea Gibson. And that picture of me with Janie (Blalock) and Nancy (Lopez) – I mean, that will definitely be in there.”

• “My room will be down the hall from the Curtis Sisters and Donald Ross is right behind me, and Mr. Ouimet across the hall. So, when I go join them, we’re all going to have a blast talking about the game of golf.”

Bradley held little back for herself -- maybe a glass or two with the World Golf Hall of Fame logo – and is pleased to have her storied career represented and celebrated so completely in one place, a place she still calls home.

(Photo Rick Sharp) - Pat Bradley remains competitive on the Legends of the LPGA.

“I'm thrilled knowing that my things will be together for eternity,” says Bradley, who remains active on the Legends of the LPGA at age 73, most recently winning the 2022 BJ’s Charity Championship with teammate Jamie Fischer. Last month. she teed it up at The Woodford Legends Invitational in Versailles, Kentucky.

“I wanted to do this before I’m six feet under,” adds Bradley matter-of-factly. “We only have so much time, and sometimes that’s hard to talk about, but it's nice to look ahead and have people come through and see all of your accomplishments whether you're still here or not.”

Long before she was an LPGA Tour and Solheim Cup stalwart, Bradley won the New Hampshire Amateur in 1967 and 1969 and the New England Amateur in 1972 and 1973. In 1970, she earned All-American honors at Florida International University. She joined the Tour in 1974.

“I mean, I lost more than I won. That's golf,” says Bradley. “But I won more than most, and I just want people to know that I really worked hard and grinded, and I was rewarded. Knowing I will be in a beautiful spot is wonderful, and hopefully people will appreciate what I did.”

So, Pat, will you visit your room, your U.S. Open trophy?

“Oh, I will,” grins Bradley. “I'll stop by and see if anybody's polishing it.”

Well played, pro. Well played. 

Shared from FORE! Fridays, a weekly e-pub of stories and conversation starters designed to help you look good, play better and know more when it comes to golf.