Helen Dettweiler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Helen Dettweiler |
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Dettweiler tees off at Palm Beach in 1937
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| Personal information | |
| Full name | Elizabeth Helen Dettweiler |
| Born | December 5, 1914 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Died | November 13, 1990 (aged 75) Palm Springs, California, U.S. |
| Nationality |  United States |
| Career | |
| College | Trinity College |
| Turned professional | 1939 |
| Former tour(s) | LPGA Tour (Founder) |
| Best results in LPGA Major Championships (Wins: 1) |
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| Western Open | Won: 1939 |
| Titleholders C'ship | 2nd: 1940 |
| U.S. Women's Open | 4th: 1950 |
| Achievements and awards | |
| World Golf Hall of Fame | 2024 |
Elizabeth Helen Dettweiler was an amazing American golfer. She was born on December 5, 1914, and passed away on November 13, 1990. Helen helped start the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA). This is a big group for women golfers. She also won a major golf tournament called the Women's Western Open in 1939.
Contents
Helen Dettweiler's Life Story
Growing Up and Starting Golf
Helen Dettweiler was born in Washington, D.C. Her parents were Helen and William Dettweiler. Her father owned a restaurant and bakery. Helen had two younger brothers. All three children loved playing sports. Helen played tennis, football, baseball, and softball.
Her brother Billy got her into golf. He was a talented golfer himself. When he was 14, he even qualified for a big amateur golf championship. Billy bet Helen that she could not hit a golf ball four times in a row. She lost the bet, but she found a new passion!
Within two years of starting golf, Helen began winning amateur championships. After finishing college at Trinity College, she traveled to play in many amateur golf tournaments.
A Voice in Baseball
Helen became friends with Clark Griffith. He owned the Washington Senators baseball team. One day, while playing golf, Helen told him she wanted to be a baseball broadcaster. Mr. Griffith helped her meet Arch McDonald, a famous announcer.
In 1938, Helen toured as a guest announcer. She worked for both Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball teams. This made her the very first female baseball broadcaster!
Becoming a Pro Golfer
Helen kept playing golf while she was broadcasting. She won championships in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and the Mid-Atlantic region. In 1939, Helen decided to become a professional golfer.
That same year, she won the 1939 Women's Western Open. This was a very important win for her. The next year, in 1940, she finished second in the 1940 Titleholders Championship.
Flying High in World War II
During World War II, Helen wanted to help her country. She joined the United States Army Air Forces' Air Transport Command. There, she worked as a cryptographer, which means she worked with secret codes.
In 1943, Helen joined the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP). These were brave women who flew planes for the military. Helen was one of only 17 women chosen to fly the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress. This was a very large bomber plane. She flew for 750 hours! Helen also became an assistant to Jacqueline Cochran, who led the WASP program.
After the War and LPGA
After the war, Helen went with Jacqueline Cochran to Indio, California. They worked on a book about the history of the WASP. While there, Helen designed a nine-hole golf course. This course later became part of the Indian Palms Country Club.
Helen became the golf pro at the club. She taught many famous people how to play golf. Some of her students included Jack Benny, Lucille Ball, and Danny Kaye. She also trained another great golfer, Beverly Hanson.
In the 1940s, Helen helped start the Women's Professional Golf Association (WPGA). She was even elected as its second president. When the WPGA ended, Helen was one of 13 women who founded the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) in 1950. The LPGA is still the main professional golf tour for women today.
In 1952, Helen joined the staff at the Thunderbird Country Club. She also taught golf at a course in Neskowin, Oregon. There, she organized a special invitational golf tournament. Helen continued to play on the LPGA Tour until the 1960s. After she retired from golf, she opened a clothing store in Palm Springs, California. Helen passed away from cancer on November 13, 1990, in Palm Springs.
Major Championship Wins
Women's Western Open
Helen Dettweiler won one major golf championship during her career.
| Year | Championship | Winning score | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1939 | Women's Western Open | 4 & 3 |  Bea Barrett (a) |
