For more than 30 years, Northern Ohio Golf Charities have recognized some of the biggest names in the game that have given back to the sport. 26-time winner on the LPGA Tour, Judy Rankin is the latest to add her name to a list that includes Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson, and Nancy Lopez in being awarded this year’s Ambassador of Golf Award on Wednesday at the World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club.
“You wonder if you really match up with the people who have been honored before, if you are deserving,” Rankin told LPGA.com via email. “I hope so and am so appreciative. Flattered is probably a good word.”
Each year in Akron, Ohio the award is presented to someone who has contributed to the game of golf worldwide, promoting the ideals of the game. Executive Vice President of the PGA Tour Ty Votaw says Rankin was an enthusiastic choice for this year’s recognition.
“Her career both on and off the golf course has pretty much epitomized the word ambassador,” Votaw told LPGA.com. “She was one of the first players to travel the world, to play on the LPGA early in her career. Her television career has taken her all over the world and she’s been wonderful. She’s a World Golf Hall of Famer and all those things taken together we thought the timing was right to recognize her in this way. A most deserving champion.”
Rankin joined the tour in 1962 at the age of 17 and spent nearly 20 years on Tour before being sidelined in 1983 due to chronic back pain. Rankin then shifted her focus to broadcasting where she began in 1984 with ABC Sports covering the Women’s British Open. It’s the amount of time she has dedicated to the game that Rankin says is perhaps her biggest contribution.
“In one way, longevity,” said Rankin. “My playing career was one thing but more know me now because of television. After being kind of ill suited to the camera and speaking, I found my way. I have done my best to be honest about players’ games, while remembering that I know how hard it is and how talented they are. I have tried to express what I know about a lot of people to create the emotional attachment that creates lifelong fans.”
As her broadcasting schedule begins to ease, Rankin is once again shifting her career in another direction, recently starting a non-profit called the JTR Suitcase Fund to help girls in her native West Texas to be able to travel and play during the summer. The organization has added an online component where Rankin hopes to be interactive with fellow golfers.
“We are just beginning,” Rankin said. “A new website has launched very recently that I hope to be pretty active with on a weekly basis. Maybe fun, maybe informative and I hope worthwhile.”
Rankin will be recognized for all her worthy contributions Wednesday evening on the first tee at Firestone Country Club where fans will hear from the World Golf Hall of Famer who will also participate in a question and answer presentation during a dinner in her honor.
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