Kensington’s Jane Fitzgerald doesn’t do anything half way. So after having her best year in 2001, winning the Maryland Open and Mid-Atlantic Amateur and qualifying for two USGA events, Fitzgerald gave up competitive golf.
Raising two school-age children and holding down a full-time job left little time for practice.
But now, with one of her children in college and another in high school, Fitzgerald, 45, has the time. With the Maryland Open staged at her home club next week, she has a compelling reason to return.
When the Maryland Open comes to the Chevy Chase Club Monday and Tuesday, it will be interesting to see how Fitzgerald fares.
“When I play, I want to be able to put a lot of time and effort into it,” said Fitzgerald. “I was never interested in playing in tournaments if I felt like couldn’t be at my best.”
Fitzgerald’s best is impressive. In a 12-year span (1989-2001), she won five Maryland and three Mid-Atlantic Amateur titles. She also qualified for two U.S. Women’s Opens and several U.S. Amateurs.
Fitzgerald, a B-CC graduate, grew up playing at Kenwood Country Club. Her emergence as a junior standout was well timed as she earned a scholarship to Penn State.
“I came along at theright time — Title Nine,” said Fitzgerald.
After college, Fitzgerald had aspirations of turning professional. When she was referred to a local teaching pro, she got more than she anticipated. Two years after meeting Jim Fitzgerald, the two were married.
“I wasn’t interested in him. He was a little older,” said Jane Fitzgerald. “I was so serious. I was so focused on my game. If he was interested, it didn’t even register.”
But later that summer, when Jane Abood received a telegram from her teaching pro, wishing her good luck in the U.S. Amateur, she got the hint.
Today the Fitzgeralds are truly a golf family. Jim Fitzgerald is the head pro at Chevy Chase and Jane is the club’s merchandiser. Daughter Kelly plays at Lehigh. Son James, a junior at Gonzaga, plays for the powerful Purple Eagles’ golf team.
All have their various competitive pursuits. But their favorite times are when they’re on the course together.
“Every year on vacation in New England, we have family matches,” said Jim Fitzgerald, 51. “I used to take on their best ball. Can’t do that any more.”
FITZGERALD NOTES
» Jane Fitzgerald’s sister, Liza Abood, is a teaching pro at Olney Golf Park.
» Fitzgerald has played in all three USGA women’s events — the Open, the Amateur, and the Mid-Amateur.
» She has twice made it to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Women’s Amateur.
