Emma Talley is the best high school golfer I have ever seen play but what made her even more special during her distinguished career was her personality. (Joe Hafley Photo)
Emma Talley was one of the all-time best high school golfers in Kentucky and was overdue to be inducted into the Dawahares/Kentucky High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame but now she is part of the 2026 induction class.
The 2012 Caldwell County High School graduate played in seven consecutive state tournaments from 2005-2011 and dominated play. She won SIX STRAIGHT regional titles. She won THREE state championships — 2008, 2010 and 2011 — and her last win was by 10 strokes. She also finished with the low score in the 2009 tournament but disqualified herself by reporting a scorecard error after play was finished.
“This situation has long been one of the best displays of character and integrity at a KHSAA state championship event,” the KHSAA said in its Hall of Fame release.
She was the nation’s No. 1 golf recruit according to Golf Week Magazine and qualified for the U.S. Open in 2011 and 2012. She won 10 American Junior Golf Association events, including the 2010 Huntsville Junior Open by 22 strokes with her 18-under par finish. She was on the 2010 Junior Ryder Cup Team and was a high school All-American in 2011.
Talley opted to player her college golf at Alabama. She was a four-time All-American and a three-time All-SEC selection. The Caldwell County graduate won the U.S. Amateur in 2013 and captured the NCAA Championship in 2015 to become only the fifth woman to win both titles.
She played on the LPGA Tour from 2017-2024 with 10 career top 10 finishes and 22 top 25 finishes. Talley was known as one of the most personable players on the tour who always took time not only to interact with sponsors but also with fans — and even media members.
While competing on the LPGA Tour, she worked for the tour in a variety of media roles, from social media to podcast host. She also started working with the Western Kentucky University women’s golf team.
Talley took great pride in the success that the late Cullan Brown and his sister, Cathryn Brown, both had and they both were lucky to have her as a mentor.
I considered myself lucky to get to know her and her parents. I was able to watch her play in six LPGA events and no matter what kind of score she posted, she always had time to talk and usually stopped on the course to say hello as I followed her play.
So, congrats to Talley on an honor that was long overdue.
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The Kentucky High School Athletic Association will induct its Class of 2026 into the Dawahares/KHSAA Hall of Fame presented by Roberts Insurance on April 26, at the Central Bank Center Ballroom in Lexington. With the introduction of this year’s 13-member class, the Dawahares/KHSAA Hall of Fame has grown to 542 all-time members since its inception in 1988. Tickets to the Induction Ceremony will be available for purchase at a later date on khsaatickets.org.
