Kay has been linked to the LPGA since she was learning to walk. Her mother, Kathy Cornelius, competed on the LPGA Tour for almost 30 years. Kay walked hundreds of golf holes behind the ropes (and sometimes inside the ropes!) on the LPGA Tour as a young child.
She started to forge her own way in golf early on when she was the youngest winner of the U.S. Girlsʼ Junior Championship in 1981 at the age of 14. From 1979 to 1987, Kay competed in 19 USGA Championships. She earned NCAA All-American honors as a collegiate player at Stanford University. After graduating from Stanford, she turned pro and competed on the Ladies’ Asia Golf Circuit and Ladies’ European Tour.
Her attention turned to teaching during the late 1990s when she joined the LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals. During her 25 year teaching career, Kay has received numerous teaching honors including, 2004 and 2007 LPGA Section Teacher of the Year, 2012 LPGA National Junior Golf Leadership Award, 2014 US Kids’ Golf Top 50 Master Teacher, and 2016 and 2019 LPGA Section Junior Golf Leadership Award. Recently, she was recognized by Golf Digest on their list of Best Teachers by State (Arizona), 2019-2020 and 2022-2023. New: In October 2023, Kay was named as one of LPGA’s Top 50 Best Teachers (the LPGA is comprised of 1900+ teaching professionals).
During the past 25 years, Kay has found it extremely gratifying to serve the LPGA at both the section and national levels. During the early 2000s, she served as LPGA Major Evaluation Site Host and was the Director of the LPGA/USGA Girls’ Golf of Phoenix Future Stars Program. Currently, she serves as LPGA Central Section Education Ambassador and she is co-site Director of LPGA/USGA Girls Golf of Phoenix (SE Valley). Since 2006, Kay has enjoyed contributing to the growth and education of LPGA Members in her role as a National Evaluator on the LPGA Global Education Team. Kay teaches at Mesa Country Club and Gainey Ranch Golf Club in Mesa/Scottsdale, Arizona.
Awards/Honors
2004 LPGA Western Section “Teacher of the Year”
2007 LPGA Central Section “Teacher of the Year”
2005-2008 Golf Magazine “Top Regional Teacher”
2011, 2012, & 2013 “Top 50 Kids’ Teacher,” US Kids’ Golf
2012 LPGA Central Section “Junior Golf Leader”
2012 LPGA National “Junior Golf Leader”
2014 “Top 50 Master Kids’ Teacher,” US Kids’ Golf
2016 and 2019 LPGA Central Section “Junior Golf Leader”
2019-2020 Golf Digest “Best Teachers By State” (AZ)
2022-2023 Golf Digest “Best Teachers By State” (AZ)
2024-2025 LPGA Top 50 Teachers (New recognition)
Teaching Influences
Manuel de la Torre, “Top 100 Teacher” (WI)
Fred Shoemaker, Extraordinary Golf (CA)
Dr. Debbie Crews, Founder/Director, Better Your Best Mental Cross-Training, Opti-International
Johnny Bulla, 14-time Arizona Open Champion and 1941 Los Angeles Open Winner (PGA Tour)
Mike Adams “Top 100 Teacher” (FL)
Parents: Bill Cornelius, PGA Life Member. Kathy Cornelius, 27 year LPGA Tour Veteran and 1956 US Women’s Open Champion
College/Tour Life
Stanford University, Stanford, CA
1984-1988 Stanford Women’s Golf Team Member
Awards/Honors: 1988 NCAA All-American, Winter ’88 Stanford University Honor Athlete
1985 All Pac-10
Degree/Major: B.A., Sociology, 1988
1988-1997: Ladies Asia Golf Circuit, Futures Tour, Player’s West Golf Tour, & Ladies European Tour. Played in three Weetabix Women’s British Opens
Experience & Accomplishments
Class ‘A’ LPGA Teaching Professional at Mesa Country Club (since April 2018) and Gainey Ranch Golf Club (since May 2024)
Class ‘A’ LPGA Teaching Professional at Ahwatukee Lakes GC, November 2022 through September 2024
Class ‘A’ LPGA Teaching Professional at Foothills Golf Club, April 2018 through November 2022
Class ‘A’ LPGA Teaching Professional at Ocotillo Golf Club, October 1995 to December 2017
Named ‘Director of Instruction’ at Ocotillo Golf Club, December 2008.
LPGA Global Education Team, National Evaluator, 2007-2020
2024-2025 LPGA Professionals, “LPGA Top 50 Teachers” (New recognition)
2022-2023 Golf Digest “Best Teachers By State,” Arizona
2019-2020 Golf Digest “Best Teachers By State,” Arizona
2016 & 2019 LPGA Central Section “Junior Golf Leader”
2014 “Top 50 Master Kids’ Teacher,” US Kids’ Golf
2012 LPGA National “Junior Golf Leader”
2012 LPGA Central Section “Junior Golf Leader”
Selected: 2011 & 2012 & 2013 US Kids’ Golf, “Top 50 Kids’ Teacher”
Tournament Director: 2011 & 2012 Joanne Winter Arizona Silver Belle Championships
Instructor: Katherine Roberts’ Yoga for Golfers Teacher Training Program, 2011 & 2012.
Selected: 2009 & 2010 US Kids’ Golf, Honorable Mention “Top 50 Kids’ Teacher”
Nominated: 2009 LPGA Nancy Lopez Award
Nominated: 2009 LPGA Central Section “Teacher of the Year”
Voted 2007 LPGA Central Section “Teacher of the Year”
Voted 2004 LPGA Western Section “Teacher of the Year”
Golf Magazine “Top Regional Teacher”
Nominated: Golf Magazine “Top 100 Teachers” 2007-2008
Titleist Performance Institute (TPI), Level I Certified Golf Fitness Instructor, 2008
Appointed: LPGA National Evaluator, December 2006
Director, Future Stars of Phoenix, a division of LPGA/USGA Girls’ Golf 2001-2006. Organized and conducted 11 sessions annually for girls who aspire to play collegiate golf
LPGA Major Evaluation Site Host, 2003, 2004, & 2005.
Co-owner Golf Design, Off-course club repair facility, Tempe, AZ, 1999-2008
Playing professional: Ladies Asia Golf Circuit, Ladies European Tour, Players’ West Tour & Futures Tour, 1989 to 1997
Competed in three Weetabix Women’s British Open Championships
Four year collegiate golfer at Stanford University, Stanford, CA. (1984-1988). Competed in every collegiate tournament except one during my playing days at Stanford
Stanford University ‘Honor Athlete,’ Winter 1988
Earned NCAA All-American honors while at Stanford University, 1988
Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from Stanford University, 1988
U. of Hawaii Rainbow Wahine Intercollegiate Champion, 1988
All Pac-10 at Stanford University, 1985
Two-time Arizona State Junior Champion, 1980 & 1982. Two-time Arizona State Amateur Runner-Up, 1980 & 1984
Competed in 19 USGA Championships, 1979-1987
USGA Girls’ Junior Champion, 1981. Held the record for the youngest golfer ever to win a USGA Championship (1981-1998)
Kathy Cornelius (my mother) and I hold the distinction of being the only mother-daughter USGA Champions. Kathy won the US Women’s Open in 1956
Junior World Champion, 1980 (13-14 age division)
Played in first tournament at age 7
Fun facts about Kay
Favorite Golf Books: Extraordinary Golf by Fred Shoemaker. Understanding the Golf Swing, by Manuel de la Torre. Learning Golf with Manuel, by John Hayes. The Inner Game of Golf, by Timothy Gallwey
Favorite Golf Courses: Pine Valley GC (NJ), Somerset Hills CC (NJ), Illahe Hills CC (OR), & Stanford University GC (CA).
Favorite Non-golf Activities: yoga, pilates, weight training (golf specific fitness), photography, & hiking.
Favorite Quote: “That which you seek is seeking you.” -Rumi
