Marilynn Smith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Marilynn Smith |
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Smith follows the flight of her ball
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| Personal information | |
| Full name | Marilynn Louise Smith |
| Nickname | Miss Personality |
| Born | April 13, 1929 Topeka, Kansas |
| Died | April 9, 2019 (aged 89) Goodyear, Arizona |
| Nationality |  United States |
| Career | |
| College | University of Kansas |
| Turned professional | 1950 |
| Former tour(s) | LPGA Tour (Founder) |
| Professional wins | 23 |
| Number of wins by tour | |
| LPGA Tour | 21 |
| Other | 2 |
| Best results in LPGA Major Championships (Wins: 2) |
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| Western Open | 3rd: 1963 |
| Titleholders C'ship | Won: 1963, 1964 |
| Kraft Nabisco C'ship | CUT: 1984, 1987 |
| LPGA Championship | 5th/T5: 1961, 1966, 1972 |
| U.S. Women's Open | 3rd/T3: 1964, 1965, 1968 |
| du Maurier Classic | DNP |
| Achievements and awards | |
| World Golf Hall of Fame | 2006 |
| LPGA Most Improved Player | 1963 |
| LPGA Patty Berg Award | 1979 |
| Commissioner's Award (LPGA Founders) |
2000 |
Marilynn Louise Smith (born April 13, 1929 – died April 9, 2019) was a famous American professional golfer. She was one of the thirteen amazing women who started the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) in 1950. Marilynn won two big golf tournaments called major championships. She also won 21 other LPGA Tour events. She is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, which means she is recognized as one of the best golfers ever.
Contents
Early Life and Amateur Golf Career
Marilynn Smith was born in Topeka, Kansas. She started playing golf when she was 12 years old. She quickly became very good at it! From 1946 to 1948, she won the Kansas State Amateur championship three times. While studying at the University of Kansas, she won the national individual college golf championship in 1949.
Becoming a Professional Golfer
Smith became a professional golfer in 1949. She joined the Spalding sports equipment team. In 1950, she was one of the thirteen women who created the LPGA. This was a huge step for women's golf!
She won her first professional tournament in 1952 at the Fort Wayne Open. Marilynn went on to win a total of 21 events on the LPGA Tour. This included two major championships: the 1963 and 1964 Titleholders Championships.
Marilynn was one of the top ten money earners nine times between 1961 and 1972. Her best finish was fourth place in 1963, 1968, and 1970. In 1963, she was named the LPGA Most Improved Player. She also served as the LPGA's president from 1958 to 1960.
In 2006, Marilynn Smith was chosen to be part of the World Golf Hall of Fame. This honor recognized her amazing career and contributions to golf.
Beyond the Golf Course
Marilynn Smith was also a pioneer in other ways. In 1973, she became the first woman to work on a men's golf television broadcast. This helped open doors for other women in sports broadcasting.
Marilynn Smith passed away on April 9, 2019, just a few days before her 90th birthday. She left behind a great legacy in the world of golf.
Major Championship Wins
Marilynn Smith won two major championships during her career. Both of these wins were at the Titleholders Championship.
- 1963 Titleholders Championship: She won this after a playoff round against another famous golfer, Mickey Wright.
- 1964 Titleholders Championship: She won this title again the very next year, beating Mickey Wright by one stroke.
See also
- List of golfers with most LPGA Tour wins
