A little more than 18 months ago, PTL Golf Head Professional Pete Lockett was approached by Tour pro Alena Sharp to have a look at her swing. Shortly thereafter, Pete visited Alena at her home in Phoenix, Arizona in the US to talk through her goals. First, having just lost her LPGA Tour card, she wanted to win tournaments and earn her way back on Tour. Secondly, she wanted to represent her home nation of Canada at the Olympics for a third time. Since that meeting Alena managed to post two wins, earned her way back to the LPGA Tour full time and as of last week fulfilled her final goal of playing for Team Canada in Paris 2024.
Alena came into the competition with high expectations having closed with 69-68 the weekend prior to secure a top 15 in the CPKC Women's Canadian Open. That stellar play translated into a solid opening round 71 (-1) at Le Golf National putting her in T7 after day 1. Unfortunately, Alena couldn't get the putter going the rest of the tournament and finished outside medal contention, though her confidence is still high after what she and Pete both described as a very solid week of ball striking.
Alena wasn't the only one gaining interest during the competition. Pete was the only coach from the PGA GB&I at the Olympics golf competitions and has been featured in The Spin podcast from the Confederation of Professional Golf (CPG). Pete was also recognised at the ISPS HANDA Women's Scottish Open pro-am dinner along with the Olympians competing in the field.
In all it was a whirlwind week for the team and we're immensely proud of what both Pete and Alena have accomplished. A big thank you to Golf Canada for all their support and coordination in the lead up to and during the week. Alena has five more events on her LPGA playing schedule and there's always LA2028 to consider. After all, no Canadian woman has ever competed in four consecutive Olympic Games. This is a mark she and fellow Canuck Brooke Henderson will be aiming at in four years' time.
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