When Donna Brady and her husband Jim moved from California to Texas in 2006, she had committed to taking a year off from volunteering in golf. The universe had other plans.
“Mary Lucas, a fellow referee here in San Antonio, found out that I was a referee from California,” said Brady. “So, she asked if I would help out at the Women’s Four-Ball tournament. I had committed to taking a year off from the volunteer world. Well, that lasted all of five months.”
Brady began her volunteer career with the Women’s Golf Association of Northern California, which merged with the Northern California Golf Association in 2019. Since moving to Texas, Brady has now spent 15 years giving her time at countless TGA events across the state.
Brady and her husband Jim live in Fair Oaks Ranch, a quaint small town in the Hill Country located about 30 miles northwest of San Antonio. Outside of golf, Brady’s other passions include music and cooking.
Brady was introduced to golf at a later, but still early, time in life. Her passion for the game developed quickly, which speaks volumes about the sport’s ability to captivate people at any stage in life.
“I was 23 years young, and I was invited to play in a scramble tournament,” Brady said. “At that time, I was involved in commodities trading so this was a grain industry-related event in Southern California. I had never held a golf club in my life until then. Amazingly, for whatever reason, I was a really good putter so I became a real popular scramble team member that they would seek out.”
The game of golf has created many opportunities for Brady. On top of assisting the TGA, she has also served on the USGA Girls’ Junior Championship Committee for the last 12 years.
Brady’s commitment to the game of golf stems from the people she’s been able to meet and the opportunities it’s given her. Opportunities like meeting her husband.
“It’s important for me to give back to the game that created a marriage opportunity out of nowhere,” said Brady. “Golf is extremely important. I love playing the game, naturally, but more importantly, the people we get to meet throughout the world that play golf are just fabulous folks.”
Brady has spent her time volunteering at men’s, women’s, and junior events. Her most impressive golf feat may not come from volunteering, though. Brady is a good golfer in her own right and has proven to be an exceptionally straight shooter on par 3s.
She has made an impressive five hole-in-ones in her life. In fact, three of them were on the same hole and all five of them were made with a Titleist #2 ball.
The TGA greatly appreciates all of Donna Brady’s efforts over the past 15 years and recognizes the positive impacts she has made on our staff, her fellow volunteers, and players.
“There are many, many qualified people to highlight here in Texas,” said Brady. “It is an honor and I truly appreciate being highlighted. One thing that I always hope for is when people, especially retirees looking for something worthwhile to do, read a story like this, it will serve as a catalyst for them to become involved in the volunteer world.”
To learn more about becoming a TGA Volunteer, click here.
