Washington D.C.
2022 Honorary Category Member
One
One
1958 LPGA Teacher of the Year Award, 2000 LPGA Commissioner’s Award
NA
Helen Dettweiler began playing golf after losing a competition to her 14-year-old brother who qualified for the National Amateur Golf Championship. She attended Trinity College and became the first female baseball broadcaster in 1938, playing golf while she did commentary for Major and Minor League Baseball games. Dettweiler won the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Mid-Atlantic amateur championships.
In 1939, Helen won the Women’s Western Open, her only LPGA Tour win and only major win. She was one of the founders of the Women’s Professional Golf Association and served as its second president. Dettweiler was one of the 13 founders of the LPGA Tour in 1950 and acted as vice-president after its formation.
Helen was the first person to be given the LPGA Teacher of the Year Award in 1958 as well the 2000 LPGA Commissioner’s Award. On a personal note, Dettweiler served in the Air Force, becoming a member of the Women Airforce Service Pilots organization in 1943, one of 17 women to fly a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress.
