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On Tuesday I joined LPGA Commissioner Carolyn Bivens, a number of other LPGA players, and numerous friends and fans of LPGA Founder Elizabeth “Betty” Jameson at a memorial service in her honor. Betty passed away in early February at the age of 89. A native of Oklahoma, and a long time resident of Dallas, Betty won 13 LPGA events, including 3 major championships.
Betty relocated to my area a number of years ago, and early in my career had the chance to meet Betty. We shared a passion for hats! In fact, I spent some time with her just a few months ago following the ADT Championship here in Florida. Betty had been admiring my hat of the day, and as I have so many at home, I gave it to her! Her eyes glowed with pleasure, and I felt great about giving it to her!
She and the other 12 ladies who formed the LPGA were pioneers on my behalf. It wasn’t that long ago that women couldn’t even vote, let alone have their own professional sporting organization. Today, the LPGA is the strongest woman sports “league” in the world! This is due to the classy, courageous women who joined Betty in paving the way for me and my friends on the LPGA tour.
Some of my friends that joined me at her memorial gathering were Annette “Babe’ DeLuca, and Tish Certo (below).
Betty was the first woman to ever score lower than 300 in a 72 hole tournament. This is a pretty remarkable feat, considering that back in the 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s, courses were built for men, and equipment was nowhere as sophisticated as it is today. Betty is forever immortalized as one of the 13 Founders of the LPGA, and is a LPGA and World Golf Hall of Fame Member.
I am proud that Betty was my friend. I am thankful for her hard work and sacrifice in paving the way for me.
XO
MM
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