Born: December 5, 1914 (Washington, D.C.)
Died: November 13, 1990 (Palm Springs)
Biography:
Elizabeth Helen Dettweiler, born on December 5, 1914, in Washington, D.C., was an American professional golfer and one of the co-founders of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA). She played a significant role in shaping women’s professional golf and left a lasting impact on the sport.
Helen Dettweiler was born to Helen and William E. Dettweiler, a restaurant and bakery owner. From a young age, she displayed a natural talent for sports and played tennis, football, baseball, and softball alongside her two younger brothers. It was her brother Billy who introduced her to golf when he challenged her to hit a golf ball four consecutive times. Despite losing the bet, this encounter sparked her passion for the sport.
Within just two years of taking up golf, Dettweiler began winning amateur championships. After graduating from Trinity College, she started traveling to participate in amateur golf tournaments, gradually gaining recognition for her skills. During this time, she formed a friendship with Clark Griffith, the owner of the Washington Senators of Major League Baseball. It was on the golf course that Dettweiler shared her aspiration to become a baseball broadcaster, and this conversation led to a meeting with Arch McDonald, who helped her become the first female baseball broadcaster in the United States.
While still pursuing her broadcasting career, Dettweiler continued to excel in golf. She won the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Mid Atlantic championships. In 1939, she turned professional and achieved a major milestone by winning the Women’s Western Open. The following year, she finished second in the Titleholders Championship, another notable achievement that showcased her skill and determination.
When World War II broke out, Dettweiler joined the United States Army Air Forces’ Air Transport Command as a cryptographer. In 1943, she joined the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) and became one of the 17 women selected to pilot the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress. She recorded an impressive 750 flying hours and served as Jacqueline Cochran’s assistant. After the war, Dettweiler accompanied Cochran to Indio, California, where they collaborated on a book about the history of the WASP. It was here that she designed a nine-hole golf course, which later became a part of the Indian Palms Country Club. Not only did she excel in her golf career, but she also instructed and trained numerous celebrities, including Jack Benny, Lucille Ball, and Danny Kaye.
In the 1940s, Dettweiler co-founded the Women’s Professional Golf Association (WPGA) and served as its second president until its eventual folding. Undeterred by this setback, she became one of the 13 founders of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) in 1950, further solidifying her role in shaping women’s professional golf.
Throughout her career, Dettweiler remained actively involved in the sport, teaching at various golf courses and organizing tournaments. Eventually, she retired from the LPGA Tour in the 1960s and embarked on a new adventure by opening a clothing store in Palm Springs, California. Despite her retirement from professional golf, Dettweiler’s influence and contributions to the sport continued to resonate within the golf community and beyond.
Helen Dettweiler passed away from cancer on November 13, 1990, in Palm Springs, leaving behind a remarkable legacy as a trailblazer in women’s golf.
Awards:
– Women’s Western Open – 1939