LPGA Professional Ann Bloomfield knows how important it is to be true to herself.
She is soft-spoken and genuine, capturing your attention with her warm smile, but she understands the importance of being exactly who she is, so that others learn from her example both on and off the course. Staying true to herself and treating others like she would want to be treated is what Bloomfield feels has led to her personal and professional success throughout her life.
Bloomfield was raised in a small town with just over 1,000 people and one traffic light in Fairview, Mich. She did not come from a traditional golf family, as no one in her family played the game. Instead, Bloomfield grew up in a hunting and fishing camp run by her mother and father and was a basketball and track athlete.
Initially, she planned to pursue a career in law enforcement, but after serving as a cadet for the Oscoda County Sheriff’s Department, Bloomfield quickly realized that she wanted to get into business and serve her community in a different way.
She ultimately found a new career in golf, even though Bloomfield did not start playing until she was 17.
It was a friend of her father who introduced her to golf and taught her how to play, insisting that she would need to know the game if she wanted to get into business. After learning the game, Bloomfield worked at a local golf course where she spent summers hitting balls on the range and meeting many golf professionals.
Following a year of business school, Bloomfield enrolled at Ferris State University for a five-year Professional Golf Management program. During her second year, she was offered an assistant professional role during one of her many internships and decided to go for it, even though she was managing the demands of the program and caring for her aging parent.
“You not only needed to pass the academic tests, but also master the playing ability tests by junior year,” Bloomfield recalled. “That was a lot of pressure.”
She was one of only eight women in her class of more than 400 future golf professionals to eventually complete the program.
She held several positions in Northern Michigan before making her way to Milwaukee to work for the park district’s golf department. After just one year on the job, she was named Director of Golf for the Rockford Park District in 2015, becoming its third director in 41 years and serving as the head golf professional in charge of the Sinnissippi and Sandy Hollow courses.
Joining during a difficult time in the park’s golf history, Bloomfield has made a great impact by learning about the challenges and identifying opportunities to grow the business.
She had to make the tough decision to close one of the five courses on property, but then helped turn things around by expanding the others’ food and beverage offerings as well as merchandising efforts to strengthen revenues. Bloomfield has hosted more events, grown programs and created an environment where all are welcome.
“Nobody is turned away,” said Bloomfield. “I want people not to feel intimidated when they are out here as we all work to grow that aspect of the game and make people feel welcome for a long time.”
She has taken the same approach since becoming an LPGA Professional, which has provided Bloomfield with a community unlike any other. For the past two years, she has served as the Midwest Section’s Vice President, bringing back the Section Championship and hosting the event at Sand Hollow Golf Course.
Bloomfield has always given back to her organization. She actively participates on the LPGA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion task force not only to give a voice to those often not represented, but also to learn from others as well. She was honored with the Goldie Bateson Service Award in 2023 in recognition of her unlimited and outstanding service, time and dedication to the LPGA.
“I urge people to get involved,” Bloomfield said. “If you want to lead, you need to be the change you want to see at your job, in your organization and in your community.”
As a gay woman in the golf industry, Bloomfield believes that not everything fits into the nice and neat boxes that society often wants to create. Her entire life, she has worked to challenge ignorance with compassion and education. She exudes authenticity and wants others to know how good it can be to live your complete truth. “Live and let live” is her life mantra.
Bloomfield believes, “Everyone is facing a battle you know nothing about, be kind always.”
There are two things that really drive Bloomfield to stick by her motto each day: her two sons, Joe (10) and Ben (8), whom she adopted together as babies. She helps them discover the things they are passionate about, which at the moment are hockey, snacks and Legos. Bloomfield also brings her boys along to the golf course, hoping to expose them to the game that has changed the entire trajectory of her life.
But Bloomfield has faced false perceptions and judgment many times in front of her children.
People have questioned her for having adopted two African American sons as a gay white woman. A Catholic school once told her they would not admit her boys because it went against their faith to accept children with same-sex parents.
Bloomfield doesn’t dabble in pre-conceived notions and has continued to live her life in a way that encourages others to be themselves, courageously setting an example of what it means to be true to yourself and love who you are.
The road has not always been easy for Bloomfield, but she is always prepared to respond to people’s judgments with kindness, humor and compassion, treating others with understanding rather than anger when teaching them how to do and be better. She shows those who don’t understand her lifestyle the importance of making meaningful connections and doing what you love.
Bloomfield, even when receiving judgment and negativity from others, continues to lead by example.
“When you know better, you do better,” she said. “What I would challenge people to do is just try and do better. It doesn’t have to be perfect.”