Bettye Danoff, also known as “Mighty Mite”, had a stellar amateur career before she became one of the 13 founders of the LPGA Tour in 1950. She won the women’s division of the Texas PGA Championship in 1945 and 1946 as well as four straight Dallas Women’s Golf Association Championships from 1945-48. Danoff was the 1947 and 1948 Texas Women’s Amateur champion and her title in 1947 saw her defeat Babe Didrickson Zaharias 1UP, ending the superstar’s streak of 17 consecutive tournaments won.
Bettye turned professional in 1949 and has one pro victory, the 1953 Hardscrabble Open. She was given the LPGA Commissioner’s Award in 2000.
Career
- One of the 13 LPGA founders.
- First grandmother on the LPGA Tour.
- In 1962, made her first hole-in-one at the Austin Civitan, where she was awarded a case of beer.
- In 1961, retired from traveling after the death of her husband to care for her children, teach golf and play events in Texas.
- In April 1949, turned professional; attended first meeting for the LPGA in May.
- In 1948, was medalist at the U.S. Women’s Amateur.
- In 1947, won the Texas Open.
- In 1947-48, won the Texas Women’s Amateur.
- In 1945-46, won the women’s division of the Texas PGA Championship.
- From 1945-48, won four consecutive Dallas Women’s Golf Association Championships.
- Won her first amateur tournament in the early 1940s in Chicago.
