Patty Sheehan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Patty Sheehan |
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Sheehan in 2008
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| Personal information | |
| Full name | Patty Sheehan |
| Born | October 27, 1956 Middlebury, Vermont, U.S. |
| Height | 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m) |
| Nationality |  United States |
| Residence | Santa Barbara, California, U.S. |
| Spouse | Rebecca Gaston |
| Career | |
| College | University of Nevada San Jose State University |
| Turned professional | 1980 |
| Current tour(s) | Legends Tour |
| Former tour(s) | LPGA Tour (1980–2006) |
| Professional wins | 41 |
| Number of wins by tour | |
| LPGA Tour | 35 |
| Ladies European Tour | 1 |
| LPGA of Japan Tour | 3 |
| Other | 4 |
| Best results in LPGA Major Championships (Wins: 6) |
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| Kraft Nabisco C'ship | Won: 1996 |
| LPGA Championship | Won: 1983, 1984, 1993 |
| U.S. Women's Open | Won: 1992, 1994 |
| du Maurier Classic | 2nd: 1990 |
| Women's British Open | DNP |
| Achievements and awards | |
| World Golf Hall of Fame | 1993 |
| LPGA Rookie of the Year | 1981 |
| LPGA Tour Player of the Year |
1983 |
| LPGA Vare Trophy | 1984 |
| GWAA Female Player of the Year |
1984, 1993 |
| LPGA Patty Berg Award | 2002 |
| Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year |
1987 |
| Broderick Award | 1980 |
Patty Sheehan (born October 27, 1956) is a famous American professional golfer. She joined the LPGA Tour in 1980. During her career, she won six major golf championships and 35 LPGA Tour events. Patty Sheehan is a respected member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.
She also hosts the Patty Sheehan & Friends tournament. This event is part of the Legends Tour. It helps raise money for charities that support women and children in Northern Nevada.
Contents
Early Life and Amateur Golf Career
Patty Sheehan was born in Middlebury, Vermont. When she was 13, she was one of the best junior snow skiers in the United States. She went to Earl Wooster High School in Reno, Nevada.
High School and College Achievements
Sheehan won three state high school championships in Nevada from 1972 to 1974. She also won the Nevada State Amateurs three times (1975–1978). She won the California Women's Amateur Championship twice (1977–1978). In 1979, she was the runner-up at the U.S. Women's Amateur.
In 1980, she became the national individual intercollegiate golf champion for the AIAW. She was also part of the U.S. Curtis Cup team in 1980, winning all four of her matches. She received the Broderick Award in 1980. Patty Sheehan studied at the University of Nevada and San Jose State University. She is honored in both the Collegiate Golf Hall of Fame and the National High School Hall of Fame.
Patty Sheehan's Professional Golf Journey
Patty Sheehan became a professional golfer in 1980. She then joined the LPGA Tour.
First Wins and Major Successes
In 1981, she was named LPGA Rookie of the Year. Her first professional win was at the Mazda Japan Classic. The 1980s were a very strong period for her. She won four tournaments in both 1983 and 1984. She also won the LPGA Championship in both of those years. In 1983, she was named LPGA Tour Player of the Year. In 1987, she was recognized as one of the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year athletes.
Overcoming Challenges
In 1989, Patty Sheehan faced a personal challenge when her home was destroyed by the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. In 1990, she had a tough loss in the U.S. Women's Open. She had a big lead but ended up losing the tournament to Betsy King.
Continued Success in the 1990s
Sheehan started the 1990s strong with five wins in 1990. She won the U.S. Women's Open in 1992 and again in 1994. She also won the Mazda LPGA Championship in 1993 and the Nabisco Dinah Shore in 1996. The Nabisco Dinah Shore win was her last LPGA victory.
She earned her spot in the LPGA Hall of Fame in 1993 after winning her 30th tournament. From 1982 to 1993, she consistently finished in the Top 10 on the LPGA money list. In 1992, she made history by winning both the U.S. Women's Open and the Women's British Open in the same year. She was the first golfer to achieve this.
Team Play and Leadership
Patty Sheehan played for the U.S. Solheim Cup team five times: in 1990, 1992, 1994, 1996, and 2002. She also served as the team captain in 2002 and 2003.
Personal Life and Advocacy
Patty Sheehan is known for being one of the first LPGA players to openly share about her personal life. She and her partner, Rebecca Gaston, have two children. In June 2020, she was honored by Queerty as one of fifty heroes. This recognition was for her role in promoting equality and acceptance for all people.
Patty Sheehan's Major Championship Wins
Patty Sheehan won six major championships during her career:
- 1983 LPGA Championship
- 1984 LPGA Championship
- 1992 U.S. Women's Open
- 1993 Mazda LPGA Championship
- 1994 U.S. Women's Open
- 1996 Nabisco Dinah Shore
Team Appearances
Amateur Teams
- Curtis Cup (representing the United States): 1980 (winners)
Professional Teams
- Solheim Cup (representing the United States): 1990 (winners), 1992, 1994 (winners), 1996 (winners), 2002 (non-playing captain, winners), 2003 (non-playing captain)
- Handa Cup (representing the United States): 2006 (winners), 2007 (winners), 2008 (winners), 2009 (winners), 2010 (winners), 2011 (winners), 2012 (tie, Cup retained)
Images for kids
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Patty Sheehan in 2008
See also
In Spanish: Patty Sheehan para niños
- List of golfers with most LPGA Tour wins
- List of golfers with most LPPA major championship wins
