Kelly Tilghman, a native of North Myrtle Beach, made history when she was named the first full-time female commentator on the PGA Tour, working through television’s THE GOLF CHANNEL. In 2007, she joined with veteran announcer Nick Faldo to co-anchor and cover PGA telecasts.

A 1987 graduate of North Myrtle Beach High School, Kelly was a natural athlete. She excelled in soccer and basketball, in addition to golf. Her father, Phil Tilghman, former mayor of North Myrtle Beach, opened Gator Hole Golf Club in 1980. Kelly worked there collecting balls after school and eventually picked up the clubs herself. During high school, she played in many junior golf tournaments and brought home many trophies.

Kelly comes from a family of golfers. Her grandfather, Melvin Hemphill, was a teaching golf professional at Forest Lake Club in Columbia, and her great aunt, Kathryn Hemphill, was a star on the Curtis Cup Team. Both were inducted into the South Carolina Hall of Fame in 1980. Seems she "had it in her genes"!

Kelly was awarded a scholarship to play on the women’s golf team at Duke University. Graduating in 1991 with a double major in history and political science, she moved for a short time to Phoenix. After winning a spot on the Australian Open, she was based out of Zurich, Switzerland and Boca Raton, Florida. For the next three years, she played international tours in Australia, Europe, and Asia. She recalls these years with much fondness, as her travels enabled the history she had studied and loved to come alive.

In 1996, she landed a job as an intern at  television station WPTV Channel 13 in West Palm Beach. This experience led her to the pay-for-view show on THE GOLF CHANNEL. She had a myriad of jobs at the then-fledgling station, ranging from administrative tasks to production. In 1997 she became an on-course reporter and the rest, as they say, is history.

She has a career many envy. She has met all the major golfers and has interviewed them as well…Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and of course Tiger Woods to name a few. Her popularity has grown along with the huge presence of the network. Her mother, Kathryn, is understandably proud! "I am certainly proud of all of Kelly’s accomplishments. I am most proud of the beautiful woman she has become. She is a real blessing."

Kelly adds, "Golf has always been a special part of my life. It has led me to the people and opportunities that I cherish the most. My parents are the ones who made it all possible, and I will forever be grateful for their support and encouragement."

94.9 the Surf is proud of Kelly Tilghman!