Famous Women Golfers

Women golfers have been around far longer than most realize. Mary, Queen of Scots, was an avid golfer. St. Andrews golf course was built during her reign. In 1552, she called her assistant a "cadet." It then became "caddy", thus creating a new term. Only the very wealthy played golf, and the Ladies' Golf Club of St. Andrews was founded in 1867. Lady Margaret Scott won the first three British Ladies Golf Championships which started in 1894. She then retired in 1897.

Ada Mackenzie, Canadian First Lady of Golf, was named female athlete of year in 1938 after major wins. American women came to dominate the sport beginning with a win by Babe Didrikson Zaharias in 1946, followed by Patty Berg and Louise Suggs. Zaharias was one of the founding members of the LPGA in 1949. In 1978, Nancy Lopez, in her first professional year won five tournaments in a row. Kathy Whitworth was the first female to win over $1 million during her career. Annika Sorenson, Karrie Webb, Suzy Whaley, have also all had remarkable careers despite the odds stacked against female golfers. Today, the youngest amongst the rising stars are Michelle Wie, Paula Creamer and Morgan Pressel.

Men did not accept women on the golf course at first. This was because golf was considered the "gentleman's sport." Because of this, women had difficulty getting course times and practice times. Many courses would also not allow women players. After World War II, more and more females began to golf. "Babe," and other outstanding female golfers of the time, made it possible for the female golfers of today to be openly accepted. Some are so good, they are challenging the men in PGA tournaments.