Kelly Tilghman: Relationship, Controversy & Net Worth
Kelly Tilghman became the first full-time female golf commentator on the PGA Tour in 2007, and she was an announcer for The Golf Channel.
As a prodigy, she excelled at golf, winning the Lady Paladin Invitational Golf Competition in 1990.
Sadly, she left the golf channel in 2018 with lots of compassion and awards.
In addition, Kelly has hit the headlines for a controversial comment she made on the 2008 PGA Tour.
The article discusses the personal life, career, controversy, social media, relationships, and net worth of Kelly Tilghman.
Quick Facts
Here are some quick facts about Kelly Tilghman:
| Full Name | Kelly Tilghman |
| Birth Date | August 6, 1969 |
| Birthplace | North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, United States of America |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | Duke University |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Zodiac | Leo |
| Father’s Name | Phil Tilghman |
| Mother’s Name | Katherine Tilghman |
| Sibling | Not Available |
| Age | 54 years old |
| Height | 5 feet 7 inches (1.70 m) |
| Weight | 66 kg (145 pounds) |
| Eye Color | Blue |
| Hair Color | Dark Brown (bleaches Blonde) |
| Profession | Broadcaster |
| Partner | Rocco Mediate (husband) |
| Children | Francesca Rose |
| Net Worth | $5 million |
| Social Media | |
| Merch of Tiger Woods | Signed used golf glove, Signed Photo |
| Last Update | April 2024 |
Kelly Tilghman: Age, Height, and Weight
This American broadcaster Kelly is 54 years old.
Tilghman is 5 feet 7 inches tall, with blue eyes and dark brown hair. Similarly, Tilghman was born under Leo’s zodiac sign.
Moreover, Kelly weighs roughly around 66 kilograms or 145 pounds.
Sunflowers and marigolds are their native flowers, and they are both as lively and joyful as persons born under the sign of Leo.
In addition, Leos are known for being energetic, fun, devoted, and genuine in their relationships, exhibiting their zest for life.
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Kelly Tilghman: Personal Life
Kelly was born in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, on August 6, 1969, to Phil and Katherine Tilghman.
Kelly’s mother works for a reputable corporation as a media representative.
Likewise, her father was a successful businessman and past mayor of North Myrtle Beach.
In addition, Kelly grew up in a golf-loving family, as her parents owned and maintained a golf course for 22 years.
She was raised in the sports world and began playing golf at a very young age. Moreover, Kelly Tilghman has also taught others to play golf while in University.
Similarly, this golf commentator is a huge fan of sports and loves to play football and basketball.
Education
She won a scholarship and went to Duke University after graduating from high school, where she played on the women’s golf team.
Kelly has also earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History before pursuing a career in professional golf.
Relationships
During her undergraduate years, Kelly confirmed that she dated an anonymous person in an interview.
Furthermore, she even relocated to Phoenix with one of them, where her ex-boyfriend was a teacher at Brophy College Preparatory High School.
Kelly did not specify any of her other boyfriends in the interview, but she did say that she was open to dating whomever while in college.
However, Kelly went on to say that after her connection with her ex-boyfriend didn’t work out.
Additionally, she dated several more men before eventually settling down with her current partner.
Rumors
Kelly Tilghman was rumored to be dating a young girl.
So far, while working in the media for more than two decades, her name has not been associated with any man.
Moreover, some of her critics and the public even created allegations about her being gay.
Tilghman’s homosexuality, on the other hand, is only a rumor.
Present
Kelly is in a relationship with Rocco Mediate at the moment.
Furthermore, Kelly has kept her personal life under wraps, but she said that she is blissfully happy with her husband and daughter in an interview.
However, the detail about the exact birth date of her child is not known.
Additionally, she stepped down from the Golf Channel in May 2018 to devote her attention to raising her baby.
On the other hand, Kelly says she hasn’t completely abandoned television and will return if she finds a satisfactory assignment.
Kelly Tilghman: Arnold Palmer Invitation
In 2017, Kelly became a member of the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Moreover, she advocated the Gene’s Dream Foundation.
The Gene’s Dream Foundation, which she co-founded with other professional golfers, was founded to develop new potential and assist junior golfers in qualifying for events.
Kelly also supported the “Mentor Cup” projects, which raised over $9 million in 2017 at Tidewater Golf Club.
Furthermore, she is working with Arnold Palmer’s daughter Amy and her spouse Roy to coordinate fundraising activities for juniors.
Kelly Tilghman: Career
Golf
Kelly Tilghman was a beginner golfer before she became an announcer.
She has won the Carolinas Junior Girls Championship in 1987 and the Carolinas Golf Association Women’s Four-Ball Championship in 1988.
After her debut in Scottsdale, Arizona, Tilghman became a professional golfer.
In addition, from 1994 to 1996, Tilghman then competed on the Australian, Asian, and European Ladies Golf Tours.
She did, however, leave her brief golf career to pursue a career in television.
Announcer
Tilghman started as a videotape librarian at the Golf Channel in Orlando, Florida.
Kelly was a co-anchor on shows like “Golf General,” “Sprint Post Game,” and “Live From…”, among others.
Moreover, she also presented several Golf Channel original shows, including “Academy Live” and “The Grey Goose 19th Hole,” among others.
Kelly Tilghman made a splash by becoming the first full-time female PGA TOUR play-by-play announcer.
It happened after Golf Channel signed a 15-year television rights agreement with the PGA TOUR.
Tilghman teamed up with Nick Faldo, a six-time major winner at the firm.
Kelly Tilghman moved to MSNBC in 2012, where she was the midday anchor for the Olympic Summer Games in London.
In addition, she was also a studio host for Golf Channel’s 2016 coverage of golf’s return to the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
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Retirement
Kelly Tilghman announced her resignation from Golf Channel following a lengthy career as an announcer.
She revealed this information in 2008 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando, Florida, USA.
Kelly Tilghman: Controversy
When announcing the Mercedes-Benz Championship in 2008, Kelly Tilghman stated something provocative.
Furthermore, when discussing Tiger Woods’ supremacy, Tilghman suggested that young PGA Tour players “lynch him in a back alley.”
Moreover, she was suspended for two weeks due to her comments.
After a surge of outrage, the Golf Channel decided to suspend her, including a call for her dismissal from racial rights crusader Rev. Al Sharpton.
Tiger Woods’ camp, on the other hand, was unconcerned and issued a statement saying, “It is a complete non-issue.”
According to Sharpton, Woods did not demand Tilghman’s punishment does not negate the fact that the remark was hurtful to African-Americans.
Kelly Tilghman: Net Worth
Kelly’s wealth comes primarily from her broadcaster and golf announcer work. In addition, the Golf Channel paid her a yearly salary of $375,000.
Furthermore, this 54– year-old American announcer was also a previous golf mentor and a player.
The first full-time female golf commentator, Kelly Tilghman, has an estimated net worth of $5 million.
She possessed a $1.4 million home. It has five bedrooms and three bathrooms, totaling 4,493 square feet.
Her residence is in Windermere, Florida, where she lives with her family and children.
Kelly Tilghman: Social Media
Kelly is much of a social media user. Moreover, she is not available on Instagram or Facebook.
However, she does seem to have a Twitter account. Tilghman’s username is KellyTGolf in her Twitter handle.
She does have a verified profile on the platform and has over 168k followers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What role does Kelly Tilghman play at the Arnold Palmer Invitation?
Kelly Tilghman is the Arnold Palmer Invitation’s ambassador. It was announced in 2019.
What is Kelly Tilghman doing currently?
CBS Sports recruited Tilghman to conduct The Clubhouse Report on CBS Sports Network after a two-and-a-half-year hiatus from media.
When did Kelly Tilghman leave The Golf Channel?
Kelly Tilghman was a founding member of The Golf Channel and remained with the company until March 2018.
When was Francessa Rose born?
In 2014, Kelly and Rocco had their first child. However, this information has not been confirmed because neither Kelly nor Rocco has verified it.
