KETTERING, Ohio — For one local golf pro, getting the chance to compete in a major event is something nearly two decades in the making. 

What You Need To Know

  • Adele Snyder is a Lebanon, Ohio resident that’s playing in her first U.S. Senior Women’s Open

  • She took time away from competition to raise her family and focus on her career

  • Never giving up the game she loves, she’s qualified for her first major golf tournament since 2003

  • Her husband, Eric Snyder, will caddy for her during the tournament
 

As Snyder warmed up on the range, she couldn't help but think how sweet it is to be back at a major. 

“It’s almost 20 years—that was a big decision for me,” Snyder said.  

Snyder last qualified for a major in 2003 at the U.S. Open because she made the decision to step away from competition.  

“To say, I think I’m done,” she said. “I felt like I needed to start concentrating on the next part of my life and career and raising our sons. We made the right choice.” 

At 17, Snyder was the No. 1 ranked girls' player in 1986 and then became a three-time All-American at Stanford. As a pro, she won the 1996 Northeast Championship while eight months pregnant. Now, she’s the director of sales for Hostess Brands at Kroger. 

“I have a very busy life and a busy job,” she said. "I’m happy to put on my out of office and let everybody take care of all the details this week. Just celebrate this."

It’s an emotional topic to talk about, but also a personal triumph, and to do it in her home state, with her family behind her, means even more. 

Eric Snyder, Adele's husband, will be caddying for her during the tournament. (Spectrum News 1/Tino Bovenzi)

“It’s everything,” Eric said. “Ask my two kids that play golf. They’ll be up here taking days off from work—it’s awesome. I mean this is what you live for, right? The opportunity to compete in your later years, your golden years, if you want to call them that. It’s a special event.” 

Adele said she has to work off some rust, but is confident in her game heading into the tournament.

“The first goal is to make the cut, and the strategy is par is my partner, and no big numbers,” Snyder said. “Take the licks where they come and then capitalize where I can.” 

But no matter what, she said it just feels good to be back.

“I’m very grateful for the fact that I’ve been able to this game as I’ve gotten older,” she said. “I’m very thankful also that the USGA has made this championship possible, for people like us. It’s like a reunion out here, seeing people that I haven’t seen in 20-30 years, so I’m really gonna enjoy this week.”