5’7 ½”... Started play golf at the age of 18. When Peggy Kirk Bell turned professional in 1950, she left behind one of the most impressive amateur records ever compiled. She took the step into professionals with the thought that she did not intend to make golf her career. Rather, she wanted to play because she loved the game. Since then, Patty has been an off-and-on performer on the LPGA Tour, generally competing in the larger events and in those near her home. Family and business responsibilities have kept Peggy at home, too. She and her husband, Warren, are the parents of three children, Bonnie Kirk, born in 1954, Peggy Ann, born in 1958, and Warren Kirk, born in 1962. They also owned and operated the beautiful Pine Needles Lodge and Country Club in Southern Pines, N.C.
In 1967, Peggy played in 5 official LPGA tournaments and collected $257.00 officially, while averaging 77.81 strokes per 18 holes in 16 rounds.
- She scored an ace during the third round of the 1965 LPGA Championship to win the first $1000 Janet Olsen Hole-in-One award.
- Although she has never won a tournament as a professional, Peggy was, as an amateur, one of the most outstanding golfers in the country.
- Peggy took top honors in the Ohio State Championship in 1947, 1948, and 1949, and won the North and South Championship and Titleholders Championship in 1949, defeating an impressive field of professionals in the latter event. She won the Eastern Amateur in 1950 and was a member of the Curtis Cup Team that year.
- Peggy was a member of the 1951 Weathervane International Team.
- Peggy writes articles for Golf Magazine and in 1966 wrote a book called “Women’s Way To Better Golf.”
- The 1961 LPGA Teacher-of-the-Year Award Winner attended Sargent College in Boston, Mass., for two year, and spent the same amount of time at Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla., from which she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Physical Education.
Career Highlights
- 1944 – Co-Winner, with Herb Smith, Florida Mixed Two-Ball.
- 1946 – Co-Winner, with Joe Kirkwood, Sr., Florida Mixed Two-Ball.
- 1947 – Winner, Ohio State Championship; Co-Winner, with Babe Zaharias, Hollywood Four-Ball; Medalist, Ohio State Championship
- 1948 – Winner, Ohio State Championship; Winner, Toledo District Championship; Co-Winner, with Ted Berghaus, Everglades Championship; Co-Winner, with Carl Dann, Florida Mixed Two-Ball; Medalist, North and South Championship; Co-Medalist, Florida East Coast Championship
- 1949 – Winner, Ohio State Championship; Winner, Titleholders Championship; Winner, North and South Championship; Medalist, Doherty Championship; Medalist, Western Amateur; Co-Medalist, Palm Beach Tournament
- 1950 – Winner, Eastern Amateur; Member, Curtis Cup Team; Member, Weathervane International Team
- 1951 – Winner, LPGA Teacher-of-the-Year Award
- 1965 – Winner, Janet Olsen Hole-In-One Award
Education: Rollins College (Physical Education)
