Louise Suggs, LPGA Founder and LPGA and World Golf Hall of Fame member, won 55 LPGA tournaments including 11 major championships. She is one of only seven women to win both the U.S. Women's Amateur and the U.S. Women's Open. She was the first player to win the LPGA Grand Slam in 1957. She served as the President of the LPGA from 1955-1957 and is the recipient of several prestigious awards. In 2000, the LPGA honored Louise by adding her name to the Rolex Rookie of the Year Award. That same year she and her fellow founders received both the Patty Berg and Commissioner Awards. In 2007, she was the recipient of the Bob Jones Award. Most recently the Golf Writers Association of America honored Suggs with the William D. Richardson Award.

Q&A with Louise Suggs – February 9, 2010

“People forget how hard it was for the Founders to get the LPGA up and running. We created a whole new industry for women, created playing opportunities for the players today.” Louise Suggs

What kind of car did you drive in 1950?
SUGGS: A '48 Olds convertible until I was given a Cadillac in 1952. I have been driving Cadillac's ever since.

What was your most memorable win?
SUGGS: The British Amateur because it was the culmination of everything I dreamed of achieving as an amateur player. [Suggs won the British Amateur in 1948 at Royal Lytham and St. Annes]

What kind of player were you?
SUGGS: I was a very consistent player and what I mean by consistent was I did not hit the ball off the fairway. Plus I was fairly long which a lot of people don't know. I played mainly a draw. I was a good putter, not sensational, and worked with my hands a lot in the game. It's the only thing holding on to the club.

What do you miss most about the Tour?
SUGGS: Back then I traveled by myself and stayed by myself. I felt I couldn't be too chummy with the people I played against, but I miss the kids, my friends.

Who brought out the best in your game?
SUGGS: Babe Zaaria - I would do anything I could to stop her from winning.

Who was the best player of your era?
SUGGS: People ask me that all the time. We had so many great players, many who never got the credit. Bety Rawls was a great scrambler, and everyone said Mikey Wright had the epitome of a golf swing.

What is the biggest difference in the game today?
SUGGS: The manicured golf courses, the technology of teaching, the golf ball. The ball is just too hot now. Back then we had to learn how to manufacture shots out of all types of lies. I am not sure a player today could hit out of a hole as well as we could. Plus the ball didn't fly straight like it does now. We had more shape to our shots then.

Where did you get your swing information?
SUGGS: Well, I played by feel. I copied Bobby Jones as much as I could. His swing was the epitome of a golf swing to me. Plus he was in my back yard so I could watch him all the time.

Topics: Suggs, Louise