THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, March 6, 2020 Page 7 The most golf tour wins By Th e Old Sachem Y ou know all about big PGA winners such as Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, but do you know the player with the most tour wins? It isn’t any of the above. It isn’t even Mickey Wright from last week’s column. It is Kathy Whitworth. Kathrynne Ann Whitworth was born September 27, 1939, in Monahans, Texas. The family moved to Jal, New Mexico, where her father owned a hardware store. She started playing golf at the age of 15 in New Mexico and won the New Mexico State Amateur Championship in 1957 and again in 1958. She briefl y attended Odessa College before turning professional in 1958 at the age of 19. Whitworth spent four years on the tour before winning her first LPGA tour tournament in 1962 in the Kelly Girl Open. Kathy started out poorly the fi rst year and considered quitting professional golf after earning only $1,300. She went to the renowned teacher of golf Harvey Penick, who convinced her to keep playing and gave her advice on her swing. As a young woman on the tour she became friends with Mickey Wright, Betsy Rawls, Gloria Armstrong and Jackie Pung, who also convinced her to keep at it, that it takes a while to become a leading player. Kathy won at least one tournament each year from 1962 through 1978, having great years in 1965 with eight wins, nine in 1966, eight in 1967, and 10 in 1968. Kathy Whitworth won 80 LPGA Tour titles, six more than the second-place golfer, Mickey Wright. Among her major championships were LPGA Championship, which is now named the Women’s PGA Championship, three times, 1967, 1971 and 1975; the Titleholders twice, 1965 and 1966; and the Western Open in 1967. She was the tour money winner, 1965 through 1968, and 1970 through 1973; the LPGA Tour Player of the Year 1966 through 1969 and 1971 through 1973; won the LPGA Vare Trophy 1965 through 1967, and 1969 through 1972 which is the award for the best scoring average for the year; Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year 1965 and 1966; Bill Stewart The Old Sachem the LPGA William and Mousie Powell award in 1966; and the Patty Berg Award in 1987. Kathy served three terms as the President of the LPGA and was captain of the U.S. Solheim team in 1990 and 1992, an international competition. Whitworth is a member of the New Mexico Hall of Fame, the Texas Sports Hall of Fame and the Women’s Sports Foundation Hall of Fame. She is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame and was the fi rst woman to reach career earnings of one million dollars on the LPGA tour. Between 1965 and 1973 she was the top money winner for the year. Although winning only six majors, understand that from 1968 through 1971 and 1973 through 1978 there were only two majors each year. Her biggest regret is that she never won the U.S. Women’s Open. Among her quoted sayings are “There’s an old saying, ‘It’s a poor craftsman who blames his tools.’” “It’s usually the player who misses those threefooters, not the putter.” and “No one ever conquers golf.” Someday maybe, someone such as Inbee Park may surpass her record of 88 tour wins, but Kathy Whitworth will always be known as the fi rst woman professional in the world to gather acclaim. Saugus Public Library Sponsored by: www.reverealuminumwindow.com The Saugus Garden Club Celebrating 75 Years and Growing New Friends of Saugus Public Library Flower Arrangements Interpreting A Book’s Title, Cover or Theme April 3 and 4, 2020 Categories: 1. Fiction: (works of imagination-novels, short stories and/or plays) 2. Nonfiction: (fact-based-biography, history, current events, etc.) 3. Children’s Book 4. Young Adults’ Book 5. Miscellaneous: (horticulture, flower arranging, hobbies, etc.). Exhibitors’ Meeting: Saturday, March 24, 2020 at Noon Designs are open to the public, including children accompanied by an adult/ Setup: Thursday, April 2, 2020 Noon – 3pm Exhibitors Show: Friday, April 3, 2020, 9am – Closing Show: Saturday, April 4, 2020, 9am – 3pm Entry Forms are available at the Saugus Public Library Please submit entry form by March 31, 2020 to: Lorraine DiMilla 8 High Street, Saugus 01906 lmdimilla@comcast.net 781.233.7541 Donna Manoogian 23 Hillside Ave, Saugus 01906 donna23@comcast.net 781-233-5640 • Family Dentistry • Crowns • Bridges • Veneers/Lumineers • Dental Implants • All on 4 Dental Implants • Emergency Dentist • Kid Friendly Dentist • Root Canals • Dentures • Invisalign Braces • Snap On Smile • Teeth Whitening We are the smile care experts for your entire family 505 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 Tel: 617-387-1120 www.gkdental.com In House Dental Plan for $399 (Cleanings, X-Rays, Exams twice a year and 20% OFF Dental work) Schedule your FREE Consultations today
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