5’5”...Started playing golf at the age of 5...Was among GOLF Magazine’s “100 Heroes” during the 1988 celebration of the Centennial of Golf in America...Sister Janet LePera was an occasional participant on the LPGA Tour...Competed as Donna Young from 1971-80...Named Golf Writers Association of America Female Player of the Year in 1981...Is a commentator for CBS and an analyst for Golf Channel...Recognized during the LPGA’s 50th Anniversary in 2000 as one of the LPGA’s top-50 players and teachers...Loves music and dancing...Is an avid sports fan.
Career
- In 2005, served as assistant captain of the victorious U.S. Solheim Cup Team.
- In May 2001, was voted into the LPGA Tour Hall of Fame through the Veteran’s Category; was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame on Nov. 11.
- Before retiring from full-time competition in 1988, amassed 24 career victories, including four major championship wins; captured the 1976 Peter Jackson Classic and the 1980 Colgate Dinah Shore Winner’s Circle titles before the two were designated major championships in 1979 and 1983, respectively.
- In 1988, recorded the second hole-in-one of her LPGA career at the Sarasota Classic.
- In 1981, won five titles, including her fourth major championship, and became the third player to cross the $1 million mark in career earnings; recorded the first hole-in-one of her LPGA career during the Lady Michelob.
- In 1980, had her most successful financial season on the strength of five tournament wins; won $220,619 and ranked second on the money list.
- In 1976, her first $100,000-plus season, had four tournament victories; won the Portland Classic, The Carlton and the Mizuno Japan Classic back-to-back-to-back.
- In 1970, became only the second player to successfully defend her U.S. Women’s Open title (Mickey Wright was the first, 1958-59); since Caponi, Susie Berning, Hollis Stacy, Betsy King, Annika Sorenstam and Karrie Webb have accomplished that feat.
- In 1969, her first career victory came at the U.S. Women’s Open; she is one of 14 players to make the U.S. Women’s Open her first LPGA victory.
Amateur
Caponi learned golf from her father, Harry, and won the Los Angeles Junior title in 1956. Caponi tied for 21st as an amateur at the 1964 Hillside House Ladies’ Open on the LPGA Tour.
