Jan Stephenson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jan Stephenson |
|
|---|---|
| Personal information | |
| Full name | Jan Lynn Stephenson |
| Born | 22 December 1951 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) |
| Nationality |  Australia |
| Residence | New Port Richey, Florida, US |
| Career | |
| College | Hales College |
| Turned professional | 1973 |
| Former tour(s) | LPGA Tour (joined 1974) ALPG Tour (joined 1973) |
| Professional wins | 27 |
| Number of wins by tour | |
| LPGA Tour | 16 |
| Ladies European Tour | 1 |
| LPGA of Japan Tour | 2 |
| ALPG Tour | 2 |
| Other | 6 |
| Best results in LPGA Major Championships (Wins: 3) |
|
| Kraft Nabisco C'ship | 2nd: 1985 |
| LPGA Championship | Won: 1982 |
| U.S. Women's Open | Won: 1983 |
| du Maurier Classic | Won: 1981 |
| Women's British Open | DNP |
| Achievements and awards | |
| World Golf Hall of Fame | 2019 |
| LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year |
1974 |
Jan Lynn Stephenson is an amazing Australian professional golfer. She was born on December 22, 1951. Jan joined the LPGA Tour in 1974. During her career, she won three major championships and 16 LPGA Tour events.
Jan has achieved 41 victories around the world. This includes 10 wins on the LPGA Legends Tour. She also has 8 worldwide major championships. She has made 15 holes-in-one, with nine of them happening during competitions. In 2019, she was chosen to be part of the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Contents
Early Life and Amateur Golf
Jan Stephenson was born in Sydney, Australia. When she was a teenager, she showed great talent in golf. Starting in 1964, she won the New South Wales Schoolgirl Championships five times in a row. After that, she won the New South Wales Junior Championship three times in a row.
Professional Golf Career
Starting as a Pro
Jan Stephenson became a professional golfer in 1973. In that same year, she won the Wills Australian Ladies Open. She then joined the LPGA Tour in 1974. Because of her great start, she was named the LPGA Rookie of the Year. This award goes to the best new player on the tour.
Major Wins and Marketing Style
Jan's first LPGA win was the 1976 Sarah Coventry Naples Classic. Her most successful time was in the early 1980s. She won all of her major championships in a row during these years. These big wins included the 1981 Peter Jackson Classic, the 1982 LPGA Championship, and the 1983 U.S. Women's Open.
Jan Stephenson was also known for her unique and bold marketing style. She wanted to bring more attention to women's golf. Her approach helped make her and the LPGA Tour more famous in the 1980s.
Later Career and Challenges
On the golf course, Jan won three times in 1981, 1983, and 1987. The wins in 1987 were her last on the LPGA Tour. She kept playing LPGA events through the 1990s. However, she faced a challenge when she injured her left ring finger in 1990. This injury still affects her play when the weather is cold or wet.
Jan Stephenson later played and won on the Women's Senior Golf Tour. She even helped start this tour. In 2003, she made history by becoming the first woman to play on the Champions Tour. This is a tour for older male golfers. She also designs golf courses and created an exercise video for people with arthritis. She supports many charities, including being an honorary chairman for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Awards and Recognition
Jan Stephenson was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985. She also appeared on the Australian TV show Dancing with the Stars in 2011.
Jan is an Ambassador for blind and disabled golf through ISPS Handa. She also runs her own foundation, Jan Stephenson's Crossroads Foundation. This foundation helps blind, disabled, and wounded veterans and first responders. Her goal is "Giving to Those that have Given so Much." She has been recognized by the Government of Australia for her charity work. In 2017, she received an award from the Military Order of the Purple Heart. This was for her service to combat wounded veterans and first responders. Her foundation was named Charity of the Year in 2018 by the Palm Harbor Chamber of Commerce.
In 2018, Jan Stephenson received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). This award was given for her contributions to golf and to non-profit organizations.
Major Championship Wins
Jan Stephenson won three major championships during her career:
- 1981 Peter Jackson Classic
- 1982 LPGA Championship
- 1983 U.S. Women's Open
Team Appearances
Jan Stephenson has played for various teams throughout her career.
Amateur Teams
- Tasman Cup (representing Australia): 1970 (her team won!)
Professional Teams
- Handa Cup (representing the World team): 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012 (her team tied), 2013 (her team won!), 2015
See Also
- List of golfers with most LPGA Tour wins
- List of golfers with most LPPA major championship wins
