WA Golf News March 28, 2025

Tacoma-Pierce County Sports Hall of Fame honors three local golfers

This year, a trio of Washingtonian golfers – Michael Putnam, Michelle (Wooding) Murphy and her sister Audrey Wooding – are set to be enshrined within the Tacoma-Pierce County Sports Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will be held May 13, 2025, at the McGavick Conference Center in Lakewood. The three players, all of whom are from the area and learned the game at Fircrest Golf Club, have since had playing careers that illustrate their contributions to the Northwest golf community. Michael Putnam – the older brother to PGA Tour winner Andrew – was part of the winning 2005 Walker and Palmer Cup teams. During his professional career, he notched three victories on the Korn Ferry Tour, scoring two of them in 2013. That year, he was that tour’s regular season money list winner and named as its Player of the Year. Through it all, Putnam maintained his connection to University Place, Wash., where he has lived his entire life, which made it all the more special when he qualified for the 2015 U.S. Open, held that year at Chambers Bay.

Putnam waves to the hometown gallery before hitting his opening tee shot during the first round of the 2015 U.S. Open at Chambers Bay in University Place, Wash. (Copyright USGA/John Mummert)

“Golf is a journey, and there’s a lot of little steps on that journey you’ve got to take,” he said. “And there’s a lot of people that helped shape my journey locally.” Putnam referenced locals Ken Still, Joe Thiel and Dusty Brett as specific golf inspirations. He maintains a connection to the game today, playing twice per week and teaching junior golf at Evergreen Golf Club in Redmond. Also being inducted are sisters Audrey Wooding and Michelle (Wooding) Murphy. Their golf foray also began at Fircrest, doing so alongside their three brothers . Michelle recalled how she was readily equipped with “hand-me-down" golf clubs. Becoming competitive was an immediate goal when she picked up the game, and golf has been a constant in her life since.

Michelle (left) caddies for Audrey during the 1993 U.S. Women's Open at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Indianapolis, In.

Achievements didn’t take long. Michelle won the 1986 and 1987 PNGA Women’s Amateur Championships and played collegiately at the University of New Mexico, making way for a rewarding pro career. The LPGA Tour, Europe and Asia are just some examples of where she’s played, and she qualified nine times for the U.S. Women’s Open. Later becoming a college coach, Michelle served the University of Portland (2004-2011) and Hamilton College (2018-2022). Now li ving in upstate New York, she is the CEO of Murphy Performance Golf while still maintaining a competitive desire, having played in the U.S. Senior Women’s Open the past two years. Being inducted in the Tacoma-Pierce County Hall of Fame is certainly a proud moment. “It’s quite an honor,” Michelle said. “Something I didn’t really expect because I haven’t lived in Tacoma in a long time. I’m flattered.” It’s also special to share the honor with her sister. “[Audrey] has always been my closest golf ally,” Michelle continued. “We have supported each other through it all, when she was coming up in junior golf and college golf, and played a little on the LPGA Tour. And then her daughters getting involved with golf has been really cool.” Fellow inductee Audrey’s own golf career started similarly triumphant. She won the 1985 PNGA Junior Girls’ Championship and 1987 WJGA Championship, leading to a college career at Stanford University. Representing the Cardinal, her team placed third in the 1992 NCAA Women’s Golf Championship.

Audrey (furthest left) and Michelle (furthest right) in Vancouver, B.C., in 1988. (Courtesy of Michelle Murphy)

Audrey competed in two LPGA Tour seasons before deciding to step away from the game. A decades-long career in engineering, teaching math (after earning a master’s degree) and transitioning into the tech industry followed, and she’s now the chief operating officer of her own venture. Her golf connection has been maintained through her ties to the Stanford programs, as well as by her daughters beginning to play. She cites that as part of the feeling of accomplishment that comes with her induction. “I’ve been to a number of tournaments and things like that with [my daughter], and she’s like, ‘W ow Mom, you’re actually really good ,’” Audrey said. “And I’m like, ‘Oh, I guess she’s right.’ So those are the types of ways I’ve come to realize what I’ve done is quite an accomplishment.” She is also well aware of her sister’s induction. “Really, really special to be able to [be inducted] at the same time,” Audrey said of sharing the moment with Michelle. “We’ve spent so much time together on the golf course.”

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