Orlando Pro Sandra Changkija: Breaking New Ground in the Golf World

Orlando pro Sandra Changkija made history on Sunday, becoming the first woman to win the Assistant PGA Professional Championship in the tournament’s 49 years. She shot an even-par 72 at the Dye Course at PGA Golf Club and finished three shots ahead of the field.

Changkija, once an LPGA Tour player, now works as an assistant pro at Lake Nona in Orlando. Out of 132 players, just two were women.

The PGA of America sets course yardages so women play about 85% of what the men do. Changkija played the Dye Course at 6,035 yards, while the men’s tees stretched to 7,122 yards.

“This means a lot,” Changkija said. “I’ve worked really hard on my game. Balancing that with a full-time job isn’t easy. These national events are mostly men, so for a woman to win really matters.”

Suzy Whaley, a pro from Connecticut who later became president of the PGA of America, was the first woman to win the Professional National Championship back in 2002. That victory earned her a spot in the 2003 Travelers Championship on the PGA Tour—just two months after Annika Sorenstam played the Colonial on an exemption.