5’6”…Was Furman’s Athlete of the Year and Woman Scholar Athlete of the Year in 1977...Named South Carolina’s 1985 Professional Athlete of the Year...Received Golf Digest’s Most Improved Player Award in 1984...Received GOLF Magazine’s and Golf Illustrated’s Player of the Year Award in 1987...Won the 1987 Samaritan Award, which acknowledges humanitarian and charitable efforts by a player...Received Golf Digest’s 1989 Mickey Wright Award and 1989 Founder’s Cup...Golf World’s 1989 Player of the Year...Golf Writers Association of America’s (GWAA) 1987 Female Player of the Year...Her teachers include John Gerring and Ed Oldfield...Active in LPGA Christian Fellowship...Organized Habitat for Humanity house building projects in Phoenix, Ariz., (1993) and Charlotte, N.C., (1995) following the end of the domestic season...At the end of the 1993 and 1994 seasons, she accompanied a group of players to Romania to work with an orphan relief organization...Received the 1994 Charles Bartlett Award from the GWAA for her unselfish contributions to the betterment of society...Honored with the 1994 ESPY Award for Outstanding Women’s Golf Performer of the Year...Inducted into the LPGA Tour Hall of Fame on Nov. 11, 1995, in Reading, Pa....Recognized during the LPGA’s 50th Anniversary in 2000 as one of the LPGA’s top-50 players and teachers...In 2001, received an honorary doctorate degree from Albright College (Pa.); the national Pathfinder Award from the Indiana Sports Corporation for her commitment to youth initiatives; and the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award, which recognizes former student-athletes who have distinguished themselves since completing their college athletics careers 25 years ago...Was active in the LPGA membership’s 2001 international charity project, Drive for Life, a World Vision program...In 2004, organized a two-week auction on eBay to raise money for Habitat for Humanity and for a Women’s Professional Golf Fellowship trip to Honduras...In January 2005, traveled through Honduras on a mission trip, building safe homes for children and visiting local churches…In 2006, was instrumental in creating Golf Fore Africa, an LPGA member international charity initiative which benefits victims of genocide in Rwanda…Organized a mission trip to Rwanda with LPGA members in October 2007…In January 2008, scaled Mt. Kilimanjaro with Debbie Quesada in a Hike for Hope to raise money for Golf Fore Africa...Enjoys theater, concerts and all sports...Received the 2005 Thomas P. Infusino Award, given by the ShopRite LPGA Classic to an individual who has been instrumental in the growth and success of the tournament or has made a significant contribution to the game of golf in general.
Career
In 2007, captained the U.S. Solheim Cup Team to a 16-12 victory over Europe, which marked only the second time in The Solheim Cup history that any team has won on foreign soil.
In 2004, best finish was a tie for 11th at the Office Depot Championship Hosted by Amy Alcott.
In 2003, best finish was a tie for second at the Welch’s/Fry’s Championship.
In 2002, best finish was seventh place at the Aerus Electrolux USA Championship Hosted by Vince Gill and Amy Grant; also tied for seventh at the Wendy’s Championship for Children at Tartan Fields.
In 2001, captured her 34th career win and third ShopRite LPGA Classic title, posting three consecutive rounds in the 60s; crossed the $7 million mark in career earnings with her win at the ShopRite LPGA Classic.
In 2000, claimed her 32nd LPGA Tour victory at the Cup Noodles Hawaiian Ladies Open; won her second tournament of the season at the LPGA Corning Classic by virtue of a two-hole, sudden-death playoff with Vicki Goetze-Ackerman and Kelli Kuehne, King’s first playoff victory in more than seven-and-a-half years (1992 Mazda Japan Classic).
In 1999, best finish was a tie for sixth at the ShopRite LPGA Classic.
In 1998, became the first player in LPGA history to pass the $6 million mark in career earnings when she tied for 30th at the Standard Register PING; recorded six top-10 finishes with her best coming at the du Maurier Classic where she finished third; was a member of the victorious U.S. Solheim Cup Team; won the inaugural (1997) Lilly Legends Series title at the HEALTHSOUTH Inaugural.
In 1997, captured the Nabisco Dinah Shore title for her 31st career victory and the sixth major championship of her career; joined Amy Alcott as the only two players to have won that major championship three times; recorded her seventh LPGA career hole-in-one during the first round of the First Bank Presents the Edina Realty Classic; is tied for sixth in the LPGA’s all-time records for most holes-in-one recorded during a career.
In 1996, announced the addition of the Betsy King LPGA Classic to the LPGA’s schedule; best finish was fifth place at the Michelob Light Heartland Classic; was a member of the victorious U.S. Solheim Cup Team, finishing with a perfect 3-0-0 record; recorded her sixth LPGA career hole-in-one during the second round of the Sprint Titleholders Championship.
In 1995, won her 30th career victory with birdies on the final two holes at the ShopRite LPGA Classic to gain entrance into the LPGA Tour Hall of Fame; became the first player in LPGA history to cross the $5 million mark in career earnings.
In 1994, recorded two runner-up finishes at the PING-Cellular One LPGA Golf Championship and the Toray Japan Queens Cup; in Japan, lost to Woo-Soon Ko on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff while attempting to secure her 30th victory for the LPGA Tour Hall of Fame; was a member of the victorious U.S. Solheim Cup Team.
In 1993, successfully defended her title at the Toray Japan Queens Cup for her 29th career victory and totaled 15 top-10 finishes including five times as runner-up; as a result of the victory in Japan, earned her third Rolex Player of the Year honor and her second Vare Trophy; lost to Brandie Burton on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff in the du Maurier Ltd. Classic; won the JCPenney/LPGA Skins Game with seven skins worth $185,000 (unofficial money); became the second player in LPGA history to cross the $4 million mark in career earnings.
In 1992, became the first LPGA player to record four rounds in the 60s in a major championship with rounds of 68-66-67-66 at the Mazda LPGA Championship, which she won; won two more events in sudden-death playoffs—defeated Donna Andrews, Beth Daniel and Meg Mallon at the Phar-Mor in Youngstown and defeated Helen Alfredsson at the Mazda Japan Classic; was a member of the U.S. Solheim Cup Team.
In 1991, winner of two events: the LPGA Corning Classic; and the JAL Big Apple Classic, which she successfully defended.
In 1990, won three events, including a consecutive U.S. Women’s Open; became the third LPGA player to cross $3 million in career earnings; recorded the fourth and fifth holes-in-one of her LPGA career during the first round of the Desert Inn LPGA International and second round of the PING-Cellular One LPGA Golf Championship, respectively; tied her career-low 63 during the third round of the JAL Big Apple Classic, which she won; was a member of the victorious U.S. Solheim Cup Team, posting a 2-0-1 record.
In 1989, won six times, including her first U.S. Women’s Open; defeated Lynn Adams in a playoff at the USX Golf Classic; tied her career-low 63 during the first round of the Women’s Kemper Open, which she won; became the first player in LPGA history to surpass the $500,000 and $600,000 milestone in single-season earnings; crossed the $2 million mark in career earnings; won Rolex Player of the Year honors for the second time in her career.
In 1988, won three tournaments; finished second to Juli Inkster after a playoff at the Crestar Classic.
In 1987, won four tournaments; captured her first Vare Trophy; won her first major championship, the Nabisco Dinah Shore, when she holed a bunker shot on the 70th hole to put her into a sudden-death playoff with Patty Sheehan; lost to Kathy Postlewait in a sudden-death playoff at the Mazda Classic; recorded the third hole-in-one of her LPGA career during the LPGA Corning Classic.
In 1986, won two tournaments in sudden-death playoffs—defeated JoAnne Carner at the Henredon Classic and defeated Alice Ritzman and Cathy Gerring at the Rail Charity Classic, where she carded her career-low 63 during the final round; lost to Patty Sheehan in a playoff at the Konica San Jose Classic.
In 1985, defeated Patty Sheehan in a playoff at the Samaritan Turquoise Classic and won the Rail Charity Classic; won the Ladies’ British Open on the European Tour.
In 1984, after seven winless seasons on Tour, clinched her first career victory at the Women’s Kemper Open and won two more events; finished second four times; won at least one event for the next 10 years; won her first of three Rolex Player of the Year honors.
In 1983, best finish was a tie for second at the Elizabeth Arden Classic.
In 1982, best finish was a tie for fifth at the Women’s Kemper Open; recorded a double-eagle during the second round of the Mayflower Classic.
In 1981, best finish was second place at the Golden Lights Championship; won her first professional title at the Itsuki Charity Classic on the LPGA of Japan Tour.
In 1980, best finish was a tie for fifth at the LPGA Corning Classic.
In 1979, tied for second at the Wheeling Classic after losing in a sudden-death playoff to Debbie Massey; recorded the first and second holes-in-one of her LPGA career during the Mayflower Classic and Colgate-Far East Open, respectively.
In 1978, best finish was a tie for second at the Borden Classic.
In July 1977, qualified for the Tour by finishing second at the LPGA Final Qualifying Tournament to earn exempt status; best finish of the season was a tie for 15th at the Long Island Charity Classic.
Amateur
King was a semifinalist at the 1972 U.S. Girls’ Junior Championship. She was also a member of the 1976 National Collegiate Championship team at Furman University and low amateur at the 1976 U.S. Women’s Open.
