Quotes from around the world of golf regarding Louise Suggs, who passed away today at age 91
“It’s with a sad heart to learn today of my good friend Louise Suggs’ passing. I feel so very grateful and honored to have gotten to know Louise throughout my career and to be able to call her my friend. Louise always joked with me that she taught me everything I knew....she always said it a little tongue-in-cheek. Louise may not have taught me to play golf but she really did teach me to love and appreciate all that is the LPGA as passionately as she did. Rest in peace, Louise. Miss you already.” -- Karrie Webb, LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame member
“Louise was truly one of a kind. Blunt, tough, smart but with a heart of gold. She loved the LPGA and had an unmatched level of caring for, and commitment to, the Tour. We loved her!”-- Charlie Mechem, former LPGA Commissioner
“Louise was the conscience not just of the LPGA but for all of golf. Her life was about fairness, equality and the belief that hard work and talent should be rewarded regardless of gender or any other factor. She not only helped found the LPGA, she never stopped working for it. She loved golf, she loved a good scotch and she was fiercely loyal to her friends and her beliefs. For the 25 times I’ve covered the Masters, among my most precious memories is kneeling next to Louise each year as she sat in a chair behind the clubhouse, listening to her tell stories. Her greatness as a golfer -- and she’s in the top five all time in the women’s game -- was surpassed only by her greatness as a person. I miss my friend already.”-- Ron Sirak, Senior Writer for Golf Digest
“Oh the stories she could tell! Louise, or Weezie as I called her, was a true friend who always inspired and encouraged me to be my very best. Her passion for the game never wavered and I will always treasure our time together and marvel at her incredible journey in life!”-- Cathy Levering, LPGA Director of Corporate Partnerships
“I feel sorry for anyone who didn’t have the opportunity to know Louise Suggs because she was truly one of a kind. Her spirit, her grit and her sense of humor to the very end inspired everyone who knew her. She served as an exemplary example on how one should walk through life, with humility despite great accomplishments, with grace, loyalty and a passion for excellence in everything she did. The world is a lot less special without her in it” --Ty Votaw, former LPGA Commissioner
“Our hearts are heavy today as we said good-bye to World Golf Hall of Fame Member Louise Suggs. In every way possible, Louise was an amazing woman. Her competitiveness on the golf course transitioned seamlessly to an insatiable ambition to promote the women’s game. Continuously she donated her time to support junior girl’s golf and as a St. Augustine, FL resident who lived in World Golf Village, Louise was a huge ambassador for the Hall of Fame. Her presence in our game will be missed sorely, but we are proud that her legacy will live forever.”--Jack Peter, COO World Golf Hall of Fame
“I am saddened by the passing of my dear friend and mentor Louise. We developed a strong bond over our love of golf and the LPGA. I feel blessed to have been one of her close friends. She lived a full life doing what she loved and paving a way for the future of women’s golf. She was special and I will miss her very much.” --Beth Daniel, LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame member
“Louise was one of the reasons why we are out here right now and why I’m allowed to live my dream. She was all business but loved life. Golf was her passion and the LPGA was her family. I was so lucky to know her and to share her stories with her is something I will never forget. Golf will miss her greatly but her spirit and her desire to grow the game will continue forever.” --Paula Creamer, 10-time LPGA Tour winner & 2005 Louise Suggs Rookie of the Year
“No one can count the number of lives Louise touched or the people she inspired. Her courage was as boundless as her love of golf and the LPGA. She left a legacy few achieve. She will be missed.” --Carolyn Bivens, former LPGA Commissioner
“Louise Suggs was one of my favorite people. She was a person that when you walked into a room you were so happy to see her in it! She always had a story to tell and I always appreciated her for all that she did to promote our great organization. I am happy to have gotten to know her. I will truly miss her!” --Nancy Lopez, LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame member
“It’s been an honor to get to know Louise over the last few years. She has made an impact on women’s golf and women’s sports that I can only hope to replicate. I will continue to act like a founder because that is what Louise wants us all to do.” --Stacy Lewis, 11-time LPGA Tour winner
“Louise Suggs gave lessons to First Lady Barbara Bush, partnered with Ben Hogan and considered Babe Zaharias a rival. To have a conversation with Louise was to take one of the game’s great history lessons. All women who, like me, have built a career around the LPGA, will be forever grateful.” --Beth Ann Nichols, Senior Writer for Golfweek
“Louise was a trailblazer who always had a funny story to tell. She lived for the LPGA. We are forever grateful for what she and the other Founders did to pave the way for generations to come!” --Annika Sorenstam, LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame member
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