Jan Stephenson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jan Stephenson |
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|---|---|
| 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) |
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| 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 (born 22 December 1951) is an amazing Australian professional golfer. She joined the LPGA Tour in 1974 and quickly became a star. Jan won three big golf tournaments, called major championships, and 16 other LPGA Tour events.
She has won a total of 41 tournaments around the world. This includes 10 wins on the LPGA Legends Tour. Jan has also made 15 holes-in-one during her career, with nine of them happening in competitions! In 2019, she was chosen to be part of the World Golf Hall of Fame, which is a huge honor for golfers.
Contents
Early Life and Amateur Career
Jan Stephenson was born in Sydney, Australia, on December 22, 1951. Even as a teenager, she showed incredible talent for 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 straight.
Professional Golf Career
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, which is a major professional golf tour for women in the United States. She was even named the LPGA Rookie of the Year for being the best new player.
Major Wins and Success
Jan's first LPGA win was the 1976 Sarah Coventry Naples Classic. Her most successful time was in the early 1980s. She won all three 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.
She won three tournaments in 1981, 1983, and 1987. Her wins in 1987 were her last on the LPGA Tour. Jan continued to play in LPGA events throughout the 1990s.
Challenges and Other Ventures
Jan faced a challenge when she was injured in an incident in Miami in 1990. This injury affected her left ring finger, especially in cold or wet weather. Despite this, she kept playing golf.
Later, Jan helped start the Women's Senior Golf Tour and even won tournaments there. In 2003, she made history by becoming the first woman to play on the Champions Tour. This tour is usually for older male professional golfers.
Beyond playing, Jan is also one of the few women who design golf courses. She even created an exercise video for people with arthritis. She does a lot of good work for charity, including being an honorary chairman for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Awards and Recognition
In 1985, Jan Stephenson was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame. 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 owns the Tarpon Woods Golf Club in Palm Harbor through her foundation, Jan Stephenson's Crossroads Foundation. This golf course helps blind and disabled people, as well as wounded veterans and first responders. Her goal is to "Give to Those that have Given so Much."
The Australian Government and other charities have recognized her for her kind work. In October 2017, she received an award from the Military Order of the Purple Heart. This was for her service to combat wounded, disabled, and blind veterans and first responders. Her Foundation was also named Charity of the Year by the Palm Harbor Chamber of Commerce in September 2018.
In 2018, Jan was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). This award recognized her great service to golf and to non-profit organizations.
Professional Wins (Summary)
Jan Stephenson has won a total of 27 professional tournaments.
- LPGA Tour (16 wins): She won 16 tournaments on the LPGA Tour, including her three major championships.
- ALPG Tour (2 wins): She won two tournaments on the ALPG Tour in Australia.
- Ladies European Tour (1 win): She won one tournament on the Ladies European Tour.
- LPGA of Japan Tour (2 wins): She won two tournaments in Japan.
- Legends Tour (4 wins): She has won four tournaments on the Legends Tour, which is for older female golfers.
- Other Wins (2 wins): She also won two other special events.
Major Championships
Jan Stephenson won three major championships during her career:
| Year | Championship | Winning score | Margin | Runner(s)-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Peter Jackson Classic | −10 (69-66-70-73=278) | 1 stroke |  Pat Bradley, Nancy Lopez-Melton |
| 1982 | LPGA Championship | −9 (69-69-70-71=279) | 2 strokes | JoAnne Carner |
| 1983 | U.S. Women's Open | +6 (72-73-71-74=290) | 1 stroke | JoAnne Carner, Patty Sheehan |
Team Appearances
Jan Stephenson also played for teams in golf competitions:
Amateur
- Tasman Cup (representing Australia): 1970 (winners)
Professional
- Handa Cup (representing World team): 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012 (tie), 2013 (winners), 2015
See also
- List of golfers with most LPGA Tour wins
- List of golfers with most LPGA major championship wins
