Growing up in Jeannette, Pennsylvania, just 30 minutes from Latrobe—home of golf legend Arnold Palmer—Linda Gaudi was introduced to golf at the age of 12 by her father, Paul Gaudi, who coached the Jeannette High School golf team for two decades. Despite not playing on her high school team, and the absence of a women's golf team at her college, Slippery Rock University, Linda’s passion for the sport remained strong and she practiced independently.
As a child in a middle-income family, Linda did not have the resources to play travel tournaments the way other girls did. Her professional journey began when she transferred to the LPGA teaching division, where she was allowed to play several Tour tournaments, something she looks back on as one of her favorite golf experiences. Linda then moved to Virginia and joined the Country Club of Fairfax, and it was in this area where she truly made her mark coaching golf. Linda spent years coaching the McLean High School, Chantilly High School and Division I George Mason University golf teams. Since Fall 2018, Linda has also been the U.S. Kids Golf Northern Virginia Local Tour Director, further showcasing her commitment to young golfers’ development and growth.
To learn more about Linda Gaudi and her journey in golf education, watch our podcast.