Singapore: One of this century’s most astonishing feats by a female athlete may never have occurred if the incessant – and often toxic – chatter of social media had been around at the start of the millennium.

In 2003, Suzy Whaley was thrust into the global spotlight when becoming the first female since Babe Zaharias in 1945 to qualify for and participate against the world’s best male golfers in a PGA Tour event.

The day after securing her spot in the Greater Hartford Open via sectional qualifying, Whaley received some 800 requests for interviews. “We knew then it was a very big deal,” said the trail-blazing American, speaking candidly in the opening episode of the Asian Golf Industry Federation’s (AGIF) Women in Sports series of interviews.

Over the course of the nine months leading into the tournament, the mother-of-two conducted more than 3,000 interviews – television, radio and print media.

Reflecting on her accomplishments, Whaley, by her own admission, is relieved she didn’t have to put up with the scrutiny of social media.

“To be honest, I’m very grateful there wasn’t social media at that time. I received hordes of mail – from people who agreed with me playing … and people who didn’t agree with me playing.

“I can only imagine if social media had been a thing and if I would have been able to play to the best of my ability if people were chiming in on my decision, non-stop, 24/7.

“Today, social media can drive you into a very dark hole, if you let it. Because of that, I always try to be very positive on social media.

“When people are really taking a risk and stepping out of their comfort zone and doing something that no-one else has done for a very, very long time we should be applauding that and celebrating that. We shouldn’t be judging it.

“I knew the opportunity I had to change people’s perceptions of women on a golf course. That was worth every second of it.”

*The full interview with Suzy Whaley can be viewed at the Asian Golf Industry Federation’s You Tube page or by clicking here.