December 16, 2020 | BY AAGD STAFF
For Montaup Country Club’s Kay Bullock 2021 has changed her life for the better. Sweeping the annual player roster by 85 points, Bullock earned her first title as Rhode Island Golf Association’s Women’s Player of the Year by overtaking fellow clubmate Nancy Diemoz.
“It feels like a huge accomplishment for me after all of the years I have been playing,” said Bullock during a Rhode Island Golf Association (RIGA)interview with GolfGenius.
“Winning Player of the Year makes me feel like I belong with the top female golfers in the RIGA. It feels really good,” said the 55-year old who plays at a three handicap.
“I truly enjoy being around all the ladies and the camaraderie. I always say I want to have fun even while I am competing. I told my husband the time I stop having fun on the golf course is when I will give up the game. It’s all about having fun for me.”
The designation is historic because, in the 118-year history of the Association, Bullock becomes the first African American to win the Player of the Year award.
“It’s absolutely wonderful and I didn’t know I was the first,” said Bullock during the interview. “I have coached golf at Classical High School for the last few years and a lot of the African American girls are timid when I encourage them to come and try the game. Most of them believe that it isn’t a sport for them but a white-only sport. I want to introduce more African American girls to the game. Golf isn’t the type of game for one type of person. It’s truly a game for everyone.”
Bullock grew up in Beliz enjoying basketball and soccer. She was totally unfamiliar with golf. A latecomer to the sport, she was 35-years-old when she picked up her first golf club, married with five children in the household, and a husband, her time caring for family was demanding. She even once shared through a Providence Journal interview her claim that, “Nobody is going to catch me dead playing that stupid game.”
However, it was the encouragement of her golfing husband (Peter) that pushed her to learn the game. Egged on by him Bullock signed up for lessons. “When I took that lesson, I didn’t hit one golf ball and I immediately fell in love with the game,” she said.
Flaunting a rousing persona, Bullock keeps busy working as a Teachers’ assistant at Classical High School, an assistant girls basketball coach for the Purple, as well as the head golf coach. She serving her community and is a member of the Button Hole Board of Directors, an organization that enriches the lives of young people by providing facilities and programs that develop strong character, teaches life values, and champion success through the game of golf. There, and elsewhere, she uses her skills and knowledge to try to encourage as many youths in her area as she can.
With golf being one of her favorite activities, Bullock is devoted to playing while also encouraging more diversity and inclusion in the game.
