5'6"...Credits her father Richard and Bob Rotella as individuals most influencing her career...Her mother manages a shopping center...Honorary chairman of the Soroptimist International Golf Tournament...Chairwoman of LIFE (LPGA professionals In the Fight to Eradicate breast cancer), a charity program which features a pro-am in Jackson, N.J., that benefits the New Jersey Cancer Institute and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to help in the fight against breast cancer...Established The Val Skinner Foundation, of which LIFE is a program...Named GOLF Magazine's 1982 Collegiate Player of the Year and nominated for Golf Digest's Collegiate Player of the Year...Has been recognized as a woman of distinction by several organizations...Selected as one of USA WEEKEND magazine's 1997 five Most Caring Athletes in recognition of her humanitarian efforts in working to raise awareness and funds to fight breast cancer...Awarded the 1999 LPGA Komen Award...Received the Award of Hope in 2000 from the Cancer Institue of New Jersey for raising $500,000, the largest single-day donation ever for breast cancer from a golf event...Inducted into the Oklahoma State University Hall of Honors in 2000...Inducted into the Nebraska Golf Hall of Fame in 2002...One of 25 individuals honored by Yoplait, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and SELF magazine in 2003 as a Yoplait Champion for her efforts in the fight against breast cancer...Honored by the American Jewish Congress with the 2003 Horace M. Kallen Award for her work in the fight against breast cancer...Enjoys skiing (water and snow), surfing, traveling, movies, reading, most sports and antiquing...An Admiral in the Navy to the state of Nebraska...Purchased a golf course with her family in Nebraska...Interested in golf course architecture and is re-designing part of the course she and her family bought...Currently works as an on-course commentator for The Golf Channel,,,Represents PING and Ashworth.
Career
In 2005, was honored with the Golf Writers Association of America's Charlie Bartlett Award after raising more than $2.5 million for breast cancer research.
In 2003, captained the U.S. Team at the PING Junior Solheim Cup in Malmo, Sweden.
In 2002, posted her best finish since 1997 with a tie for seventh at The Office Depot Championship Hosted by Amy Alcott.
In 2001, best finish was a tie for 27th at the Subaru Memorial of Naples.
In 2000, best finish was a tie for 21st at the Chick-fil-A Charity Championship hosted by Nancy Lopez.
In 1999, tied her career-low round of 65 during the second round of the Mercury Titleholders Championship, where she recorded her fourth LPGA career hole-in-one and finished in a tie for ninth;awarded the LPGA Komen Award for her help in the fight against breast cancer.
In 1998, recorded four top-20 finishes, including a season-best tie for 12th at the Oldsmobile Classic.
In 1997, best finish was a tie for sixth at the Alpine Australian Ladies Masters.
In 1996, best finish was second place at the LPGA Corning Classic and Twelve Bridges LPGA Classic, where she lost to Kelly Robbins in a sudden-death playoff; crossed the $2 million mark in career earnings at the Edina Realty Classic; tied her career-low score of 65 during the final round of the Twelve Bridges LPGA Classic; was a member of the victorious U.S. Solheim Cup Team.
In 1995, earned her sixth career title with a victory at the Sprint Championship, where she tied her career-low round of 65 during the second round.
In 1994, captured her fifth career title at the Atlanta Women's Championship, where she crossed the $1 million mark in career earnings.
In 1993, won her fourth LPGA title at the Lady Keystone Open.
In 1992, best finish was a tie for eighth at the Chicago Challenge.
In 1991, best finish was a tie for third at the LPGA Corning Classic, where she tied her career-low 65 during the final round.
In 1990, top finish was a tie for second at the Desert Inn LPGA International.
In 1989, best finish was second place at the Sara Lee Classic.
In 1988, top finish was third place at the Lady Keystone Open.
In 1987, won the MasterCard International and recorded six other top-10 finishes; carded the third hole-in-one of her LPGA career during the Atlantic City LPGA Classic.
In 1986, won the first event of the season, the Mazda Classic, and finished second at the Nabisco Dinah Shore.
In 1985, won her first LPGA title at the Konica San Jose Classic, where she defeated Pat Bradley in a sudden-death playoff; posted her career-low score of 65 at both the LPGA Corning Classic and the du Maurier Ltd. Classic; recorded her second LPGA career hole-in-one during the Sarasota Classic.
In 1984, season-best finish was a tie for sixth at the Konica San Jose Classic; recorded her first LPGA career ace during the Nabisco Dinah Shore.
In 1983, qualified for the Tour in January by tying for third at the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament to earn exempt status; her rookie season, posted a season-best tie for third at the Rail Charity Golf Classic. Prior to joining the LPGA Tour, played six events on the Women Professional Golfers European Tour (WPGET) and won four titles.
Amateur
A golfer at the age of 4, Skinner won her first golf title three years later. She was the 1974 and 1978 Nebraska Junior Girls champion and the 1980 Nebraska Match Play champion. Skinner was the 1976 and 1978 High School State champion and, as a senior, captured 20 high school titles. Attending Oklahoma State University, she was the 1980 and 1982 Big Eight champion and the 1982 Big Eight Outstanding Female Athlete of the Year. She led the nation in scoring average from 1981-82 and, as a senior, captured titles at five of the six events she played. As a result of her outstanding collegiate performance, Skinner not only was selected as a member of the U.S.-Japan All-Star Team, but she also was named ambassador to Japan throughout the competition. Skinner was a 1982 NCAA and AIAW All-American. She was nominated for the prestigious 1982 Broderick Award.
