Born: 1919 (Norman, Oklahoma)
Biography:
Elizabeth May Jameson, known as Betty Jameson, was a prominent American professional golfer and one of the founding members of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA). Born on May 9, 1919, in Norman, Oklahoma, Jameson’s talent and love for the game propelled her to become one of the most successful golfers of her time. Over the course of her career, she won three major championships and a total of thirteen events, leaving a significant mark on the sport and inspiring generations of women.
Jameson’s passion for golf began at a young age. At just eleven years old, her mother gave her fifty cents for a greens fee and another fifty cents to rent a set of clubs at a public golf course in Dallas. It was here that Jameson’s talent and dedication became evident. At the age of thirteen, she won the 1932 Texas Publinx title, and at fifteen, she claimed the Southern Championship. Jameson’s exceptional performance continued, and she secured victory in the U.S. Women’s Amateur in both 1939 and 1940. In addition to these achievements, she also triumphed in the Women’s Western Amateur in 1940 and 1942. Notably, in 1942, she won the Women’s Western Open, a major championship at the time, while still competing as an amateur.
In 1945, Jameson made the transition to professional golf and became one of the thirteen women who co-founded the LPGA in 1950. Throughout her professional career, she won a total of thirteen events, including three major championships. Her breakthrough came in 1947 when she emerged victorious in the U.S. Women’s Open, marking the first time a female golfer achieved a score lower than 300 in a 72-hole tournament. This groundbreaking feat solidified her place as one of the sport’s elite players. She later added another Women’s Western Open title to her list of achievements in 1954.
Jameson’s impact extended beyond her playing career. In 1967, she was among the six inaugural inductees into the LPGA Tour Hall of Fame. The LPGA recognized her official induction year into the Hall of Fame of Women’s Golf, 1951, as her official induction year into the LPGA Tour Hall of Fame and the World Golf Hall of Fame. Her dedication to the sport was also recognized by the Women’s Sports Foundation, where she was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999. Additionally, Jameson’s contribution to golf education and instruction earned her a place as one of the top 50 players and teachers recognized by the LPGA association.
Jameson’s legacy continued to be honored even after her playing days were over. In 2004, the city of Delray Beach, Florida, proclaimed August 14 as Betty Jameson Day in recognition of her remarkable career accomplishments. Despite battling pain in her wrists, she remained connected to the sport and continued to make occasional appearances for chipping and putting.
Betty Jameson’s indomitable spirit and exceptional skills helped shape the landscape of women’s professional golf. As one of the pioneers of the LPGA, she paved the way for future generations of female golfers to thrive. Her achievements on and off the course underscore her enduring impact on the sport and her significant role in women’s history.
Awards:
– U.S. Women’s Open Champion (1947)
– Women’s Western Open Champion (1942, 1954)