Started playing golf at the age of 17 on a nine-hole course in Luverne, Minn… She taught high school for five years and college for three years before turning pro at the age of 30...Has her pilot’s license...One of the pioneers of the 48-inch putter on the LPGA Tour…First woman to be inducted into the Rock County Historical Society’s Hall of Fame…Member of the Mankato State College Athletic Hall of Fame…Finished fifth at the 1980 Women’s Superstars Athletic Competition…Listed in the Minnesota Women’s “Who’s Who” Yearbook for 1978-79 and 1984-85…Named Golf Digest’s Most Improved Golfer of the Year in 1979…Awarded the 1979 Peter Jackson Award for her performances in major championships that season...Enjoys working with tools, repairing things and building things out of wood... Qualified for the Tour on her first attempt.
Career Highlights
- In 1995, best finish was a tie for ninth at the HEALTHSOUTH Inaugural.
- In 1992, was hampered by an injury in her right elbow; her best finish of the season was a tie for 19th at the Las Vegas LPGA International.
- In 1991, tied for 25th at the Lady Keystone Open.
- In 1990, top finish of the season was a tie for 28th at The Phar-Mor in Youngstown.
- In 1988, finished fifth at the LPGA Corning Classic.
- In 1987, tied for 10th at the GNA/Glendale Federal Classic for her top finish of the season.
- In 1986, recorded a tie for third at the Circle K Tucson Open.
- In 1985, top finish of the season was a tie for seventh at the LPGA Corning Classic.
- In 1984, tied for 13th at the Mazda Classic of Deer Creek.
- In 1983, season-best performance was a tie for 21st at the Samaritan Turquoise Classic.
- In 1982, best finish came at the final event of the season when she tied for fourth at the Inamori Classic.
- In 1981, tied for the runner-up position at the LPGA Championship.
- In 1980, captured her second-career victory at the Mary Kay Classic, where she defeated Nancy Lopez in a sudden-death playoff.
- In 1979, became one of 13 LPGA members to make the U.S. Women’s Open her first professional victory when she captured the major; carded her career-low round of 64 during the first round of the LPGA Championship.
- In 1978, best finish of the season was a tie for third at the Patty Berg Classic.
- In 1977, tied for third at the NJH Open for her season-best performance.
- In 1976, top finish was a tie for fourth at the Sarah Coventry Naples Classic.
- In 1975, finished in 10th place at the Golf Inns of America.
- In 1974, joined the Tour and tied for 10th at both the LPGA Championship and Lady Errol Classic.
Personal
5’6”, blond hair, blue eyes...Started playing golf at the age of 17 on a nine-hole course in Luverne, Minn… She taught high school for five years and college for three years before turning pro at the age of 30...Has her pilot’s license...One of the pioneers of the 48-inch putter on the LPGA Tour…First woman to be inducted into the Rock County Historical Society’s Hall of Fame…Member of the Mankato State College Athletic Hall of Fame…Finished fifth at the 1980 Women’s Superstars Athletic Competition…Listed in the Minnesota Women’s “Who’s Who” Yearbook for 1978-79 and 1984-85…Named Golf Digest’s Most Improved Golfer of the Year in 1979…Awarded the 1979 Peter Jackson Award for her performances in major championships that season...Enjoys working with tools, repairing things and building things out of wood... Qualified for the Tour on her first attempt.
