Betty Jameson, Marilynn Smith, and Babe Zaharias.
“These women paved the way,” said Fort Worth, Texas native Angela Stanford. “They were really doing it. If it wasn’t for them, my name couldn’t be on that list.”
The list the LPGA Tour veteran and major champion is talking about is the Texas Golf Hall of Fame, where Stanford will be joining those three LPGA Founders. Jameson was inducted in 1979, Smith in 1994 and Zaharias in 1978. Now, Stanford in 2020.
“I’m just a small-town kid from Texas, how in the world did I end up with some of these other names?” asked Stanford. “I just had this overwhelming feeling of being blessed and fortunate when I found out.”
While Stanford remained humble and shocked when she received the news, it comes as no surprise to the general public and her peers. Stanford was a four-time All-American at TCU, has six LPGA victories including one major and six Solheim Cup appearances. Yet these accolades only scratch the surface of what she’s accomplished. In 2009, she started the Angela Stanford Foundation, which gives scholarships to students who have been affected by cancer.
“I didn’t even think I was going to make my traveling team at TCU,” said Stanford laughing. “To come this far, I definitely didn’t think I would. The thing that has served me well is just my competitive nature. Growing up I didn’t necessarily know what AJGA was, but I knew every time I played golf, I just wanted to win.”
Nearing her fourth Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Stanford said this one really hits close to home.
“I don’t know what it is, but the Texas pride is something I’ve always had,” said Stanford. “I’m not quite sure where that comes from, but I’m just so proud of where I’m from.”
The TCU graduate and 2021 U.S Solheim Cup team assistant captain is the first woman to be inducted into the Hall’s Tour Professional class in 10 years.
“I think it’s always good when there’s a female going into a hall of fame in any sport,” said Stanford. “You can find the negatives in everything, but I choose to find the positives. Hopefully this just starts a string of ladies that go in. I’m hopeful because there are so many young girls out there playing golf, I think it’s time.”
Along with Stanford, four other names will be joining her in the class of 2020. One of those individuals is Mike Wright, the Director of Golf at Shady Oaks Country Club and Stanford’s former teacher.
“Mike and I worked together from 2005, off and on up until 2015,” she said. “He definitely was a huge influence in my professional career. I think I had four wins with Mike, so obviously that’s a large chunk of my wins on Tour. It’s going to be special going into the Hall with him.”
Wright is among a handful of people that have greatly impacted her career. Stanford said she considers herself blessed to have supportive people in her life, including her parents.
“I’m very fortunate to grow up where I did and to have parents that allowed me to chase my dreams,” said Stanford. “Looking back now, we were pretty middle class and that’s being nice I think – but I don’t ever remember them telling me no. Anything I wanted to do competitively, they always found a way to make it happen.”
This year has been interesting to say the least, but for Stanford, good news has come out of it. First was word that she is going to be an assistant captain for the 2021 USA Solheim Cup team and now, this.
To finish out the summer, Stanford confirmed that she will be playing in the first five events once play resumes at the end of July, but for now, she’s going to soak up all the good she can get.
Stanford will be inducted on October 6 in a ceremony at Houston Country Club. All six of the new members will be honored with granite markers on the Texas Golf Walk of Fame at Brackenridge Park Golf Course in San Antonio.
“These women paved the way,” said Fort Worth, Texas native Angela Stanford. “They were really doing it. If it wasn’t for them, my name couldn’t be on that list.”
The list the LPGA Tour veteran and major champion is talking about is the Texas Golf Hall of Fame, where Stanford will be joining those three LPGA Founders. Jameson was inducted in 1979, Smith in 1994 and Zaharias in 1978. Now, Stanford in 2020.
“I’m just a small-town kid from Texas, how in the world did I end up with some of these other names?” asked Stanford. “I just had this overwhelming feeling of being blessed and fortunate when I found out.”
While Stanford remained humble and shocked when she received the news, it comes as no surprise to the general public and her peers. Stanford was a four-time All-American at TCU, has six LPGA victories including one major and six Solheim Cup appearances. Yet these accolades only scratch the surface of what she’s accomplished. In 2009, she started the Angela Stanford Foundation, which gives scholarships to students who have been affected by cancer.
“I didn’t even think I was going to make my traveling team at TCU,” said Stanford laughing. “To come this far, I definitely didn’t think I would. The thing that has served me well is just my competitive nature. Growing up I didn’t necessarily know what AJGA was, but I knew every time I played golf, I just wanted to win.”
Nearing her fourth Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Stanford said this one really hits close to home.
“I don’t know what it is, but the Texas pride is something I’ve always had,” said Stanford. “I’m not quite sure where that comes from, but I’m just so proud of where I’m from.”
The TCU graduate and 2021 U.S Solheim Cup team assistant captain is the first woman to be inducted into the Hall’s Tour Professional class in 10 years.
“I think it’s always good when there’s a female going into a hall of fame in any sport,” said Stanford. “You can find the negatives in everything, but I choose to find the positives. Hopefully this just starts a string of ladies that go in. I’m hopeful because there are so many young girls out there playing golf, I think it’s time.”
Along with Stanford, four other names will be joining her in the class of 2020. One of those individuals is Mike Wright, the Director of Golf at Shady Oaks Country Club and Stanford’s former teacher.
“Mike and I worked together from 2005, off and on up until 2015,” she said. “He definitely was a huge influence in my professional career. I think I had four wins with Mike, so obviously that’s a large chunk of my wins on Tour. It’s going to be special going into the Hall with him.”
Wright is among a handful of people that have greatly impacted her career. Stanford said she considers herself blessed to have supportive people in her life, including her parents.
“I’m very fortunate to grow up where I did and to have parents that allowed me to chase my dreams,” said Stanford. “Looking back now, we were pretty middle class and that’s being nice I think – but I don’t ever remember them telling me no. Anything I wanted to do competitively, they always found a way to make it happen.”
This year has been interesting to say the least, but for Stanford, good news has come out of it. First was word that she is going to be an assistant captain for the 2021 USA Solheim Cup team and now, this.
To finish out the summer, Stanford confirmed that she will be playing in the first five events once play resumes at the end of July, but for now, she’s going to soak up all the good she can get.
Stanford will be inducted on October 6 in a ceremony at Houston Country Club. All six of the new members will be honored with granite markers on the Texas Golf Walk of Fame at Brackenridge Park Golf Course in San Antonio.