About
Phyllis C. Barone, a.k.a “The Queen on the Green,” has been involved in the golf industry for over two decades. Her initial draw to the game came while attending Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. In her senior year, she was looking for those three “easy” credits that she needed to graduate, so she dusted off her dad’s set of clubs and registered for the golf class. She soon realized those credits would not come so easily.
After graduating from Miami, Phyllis left for Europe and placed golf on hold. Upon returning to the United States a few years later, Phyllis became determined to get serious about the game. She then attended the John Jacobs’ Golf School in Crested Butte, Colorado. This turned out to be an excellent place to learn the basics of golf and a fun place to simply hang out.
Phyllis, now on her way to coronation, packed up her clubs and moved to Detroit. It was here that she took a job with U.S.A. Networks, a cable network that carried the first and second rounds of various golf tournaments including The Ryder Cup. Some of the special perks of this job allowed Phyllis to play golf at many premium courses such as TPC Sawgrass, Firestone and Pinehurst which only sweetened her palate for the game. Phyllis was now determined to follow her passion and make it a career.
Embracing her love for the game of golf, it came as no surprise she became publisher of a golf magazine, which has earned her the right to be inside the ropes, the status of a Queen. She definitely felt like royalty when she walked the fairways with “The King”, Arnold Palmer at the Country Club of Detroit during “The Turning Point”, an event held in his honor for the 50th anniversary of his winning the United States Amateur. She talked with and listened to Jack Nicklaus as he explained his rationale for the design of the final three holes of Harbor Shores. The Queen also played with Gary Player at the Grand Traverse Resort. It was here on the par 3, 12th hole of his own signature course, The Wolverine, where she became devastated then elated as he described her putting as “hogwash” then proceeded to give her a putting lesson right there on the green!
Now, with her new passion for having instruction, Phyllis has become very knowledgeable and feels qualified to offer suggestions on where and from whom to take lessons. Including her special lesson from Gary Player, she has been taught by some of the best: Rick Smith, Jason Guss, Cindy Miller, Bob Krause. Legendary golf royalty, Judy Rankin, offered her private instruction at The TPC Dearborn, during Oakwood Foundation’s Women’s Health Care Classic.
Phyllis has a reputation of always being prepared on the golf course. If a player needs snacks, sunscreens, ibuprofen, tums, etc., Phyllis will have it. Not only does she carry updated golf equipment, but she sports the latest in fashion and is enthusiastic about educating golfers on the features of her wardrobe selection.
When the spikes are on, The Queen says she’s ‘workin’. Whether the job calls for 9, 18 or 36, she takes on the task with a smile and a glint in her eyes that says let’s go!
Phyllis, a.k.a. “The Queen” proclaims and is living proof that “ Life is Good when Golf is in It.“
