5’1-1/2”...Started playing golf at the age of 13 in Maine, where she worked as a caddie...Credits Ernie Vossler, Harvey Penick and John Revolta as the teachers most influencing her career...Named 1975 Female Player of the Year by the Golf Writers Association of America...Named North Texas State’s Alumnus of the Year in 1977...Inducted into Texas State Golf Hall of Fame in October 1985...Inducted into the National Collegiate Hall of Fame in 1988...Is a Class A member of the LPGA Teaching & Club Professional (T&CP) membership...Joined the Jim McLean Golf Academy at PGA West in 1998...Was co-chairman of the 1999 Colorado Women’s Open held in Denver, Colo....Recognized during the LPGA’s 50th Anniversary in 2000 as one of the LPGA’s top-50 players and teachers...Is head teaching professional at Sahalee Country Club in Sammamish, Wash.
Career
In 1997, played in one official event, the Nabisco Dinah Shore, and placed fifth at the Sprint Titleholders Senior Challenge.
In 1996, competed in 15 events and finished second at the Sprint Senior Challenge.
In 1995, best finish was a tie for 11th at the NabiscoDinahShore, a tournament she won in 1975.
From 1991-95, won the Sprint Senior Challenge, an unofficial Tour event.
In 1988, recorded the seventh hole-in-one of her LPGA career during the Sara Lee Classic; is tied for sixth in the LPGA’s alltime records for most holes-in-one recorded during a career.
In 1987, recorded her sixth LPGA career hole-in-one during the LPGA National Pro-Am.
In 1986, won the 19th event of her career at the Mayflower Classic, where she defeated Jan Stephenson and Chris Johnson in a sudden-death playoff; crossed the $1 million mark in career earnings.
In 1985, carded the fifth hole-in-one of her LPGA career during the Boston Five Classic.
In 1984, recorded her fourth LPGA career hole-in-one during the Henredon Classic.
In 1982, captured her 18th LPGA victory at the Boston Five Classic; carded her career-low round of 65 at the Peter Jackson Classic.
In 1981, won the Whirlpool Championship of Deer Creek; recorded her third career ace during the McDonald’s Classic.
In 1977, won the Kathryn Crosby/Honda Classic and the Women’s International three weeks later; recorded her second LPGA career hole-in-one during the LPGA Coca-Cola Classic.
In 1976, won three titles; came close to successfully defending her U.S. Women’s Open title, losing to JoAnne Carner in an 18-hole playoff; Carner and Palmer were in three playoffs that season, with Palmer winning one (Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Classic); posted the first of seven career holes-in-one during the Hoosier Classic.
In 1975, won the U.S. Women’s Open and the Colgate Dinah Shore Winner’s Circle; led the LPGA money list; earned LPGA Player of the Year honors.
In 1973, won four tournaments, including her first playoff win, defeating Betty Burfeindt at the Pompano Beach Classic.
In 1972, captured the first of two major championship victories at the Titleholders Championship; finished second twice after losing in sudden-death playoffs to Jane Blalock at the Lady Errol Classic and to Jo Ann Prentice at the Corpus Christi Civitan.
In 1971, won her first two LPGA tournaments within a month’s time: the Sealy Classic and Heritage Open.
In 1964, joined the Tour; was winless for her first seven years on Tour, and then won at least one event per year for the next seven seasons.
Amateur
Palmer was a four-time winner of the West Texas Amateur and won the Texas State Amateur in 1963. She was runner-up in the 1961 National Collegiate Championship.
