Caitlin Clark, the standout guard for the Indiana Fever, is preparing for her participation in the upcoming LPGA pro-am tournament, The Annika Driven by Gainbridge, which will take place at the Pelican Golf Club in Belleair, Florida. Ahead of the event, Clark took part in a Women’s Leadership Summit alongside legendary golfer Annika Sörenstam, the namesake of the tournament. The two will tee off together at 7:00 a.m. ET on Wednesday, marking a significant moment in Clark’s burgeoning career as she steps into the world of golf.
During a pre-event interview, Clark was asked if she had ever faced off in golf against any of her WNBA peers. With a grin, Clark subtly took aim at her Indiana Fever teammate, Grace Berger. “I haven’t played with anyone on any other team, but some of my teammates golf,” Clark shared. “One of my teammates, Grace Berger, was a state champion golfer, so she’s pretty good. I haven’t had a chance to play with her yet though—I think she might be a bit scared. Her game must have gotten rusty since she became a professional basketball player.” It was a playful jab, as Clark added, “I don’t know why, but maybe she’s just intimidated!”
Grace Berger’s background in golf is no joke. Back in high school, she claimed the title of state champion golfer in Kentucky, which gave her a significant reputation even before her success on the basketball court. After high school, she transitioned to playing basketball at the University of Indiana, where she was a four-time All-Big Ten honoree. Selected as the No. 7 pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft, Berger’s basketball career is already off to an impressive start, though she continues to maintain ties to her golf roots.
In the 2024 WNBA season, Berger has had a modest impact, appearing in 11 games and averaging 2.8 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game. On the other hand, Caitlin Clark’s first season with the Fever was groundbreaking. She helped lead the team to its first playoff appearance since 2016, setting new records for the franchise, including the most assists in both a game and a season. With a fresh start in 2025, the Fever will see a change in leadership as they replace head coach Christie Sides with Stephanie White, the former Connecticut Sun Coach of the Year, who previously coached Indiana from 2015 to 2016.
Clark’s playful teasing of her teammate adds a fun layer to the growing camaraderie within the Fever organization. As both players continue to grow and develop their skills on and off the court, it will be interesting to see whether Grace Berger can prove herself on the golf course or if Caitlin Clark’s good-natured jabs continue to push her to take the plunge into a golf match. Whatever the outcome, it’s clear that both players have bright futures ahead, both in basketball and beyond.