Born: 1939 (Kirkland, Washington)
Joanne Carner, born JoAnne Gunderson Carner on April 4, 1939, is an American former professional golfer who left an indelible mark on the sport. Her remarkable talent and numerous achievements on the LPGA Tour led to her induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame. Carner holds the distinction of being the only woman to have won the U.S. Girls’ Junior, U.S. Women’s Amateur, and U.S. Women’s Open titles, making her one of the most accomplished golfers of her time. In fact, she was the first person ever to win three different USGA championship events, a feat matched only by Tiger Woods on the men’s side. Notable golfers Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Carol Semple Thompson have also achieved this milestone in their careers. Carner’s significant contributions to the sport were recognized with her induction into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame in 1969.
Born in Kirkland, Washington, a suburb east of Seattle, Carner, who was affectionately known as The Great Gundy before she married Don Carner, began her career as an amateur golfer before turning professional later in life. While attending Arizona State University in 1960, she won the national intercollegiate individual golf championship, marking her first major victory. From 1956 to 1968, Carner dominated the amateur golf scene and amassed an impressive collection of five U.S. Women’s Amateur titles, second only to Glenna Collett Vare’s six titles. Carner also finished as the runner-up twice in the U.S. Women’s Amateur and emerged victorious in the U.S. Girls’ Junior in 1956.
Carner’s success as an amateur golfer was unparalleled, and she continued to make history even as a non-professional player. In 1969, while still an amateur, Carner achieved a remarkable feat by winning an LPGA Tour event, the Burdine’s Invitational. Her triumph made her the last amateur to win on the LPGA Tour until 2012 when Lydia Ko, a 15-year-old New Zealander, claimed victory in the CN Canadian Women’s Open.
Carner’s professional career was equally illustrious. Her greatest achievements came in the form of two U.S. Women’s Open titles, which she earned in 1971 and 1976. In the 1971 tournament, Carner led the field after every round and emerged as the champion with a seven-shot lead over second-place finisher Kathy Whitworth. The following year, Carner engaged in an intense 18-hole playoff against Sandra Palmer and emerged victorious to secure her second U.S. Women’s Open crown.
Recognized for her impressive consistency and longevity, Carner became the second player in LPGA history to surpass the $1 million mark in career earnings. Her career spanned several decades, and she remained competitive through the late 1990s. In a testament to her enduring talent, Carner played in ten tournaments in 2004, becoming the oldest player to make a cut on the LPGA Tour at the age of 65.
Even in her later years, Carner continued to showcase her skills and passion for golf. On July 29 and 30, 2021, at the age of 82, she participated in the U.S. Senior Women’s Open at Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield, Connecticut. In a remarkable display of her enduring talent, Carner shot her age of 82 in the first round and surpassed that with a score of 79 in the second round, proving that age is no barrier to excellence.
Joanne Carner’s impressive career and groundbreaking achievements have solidified her status as one of the most legendary figures in women’s golf. Her exceptional talent, pioneering spirit, and contributions to the sport have left an indelible legacy, inspiring generations of female golfers to follow in her footsteps. Carner’s remarkable journey stands as a testament to the power of dedication, perseverance, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
Awards:
– Inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame
– Inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame in 1969
– Voted the Bob Jones Award by the United States Golf Association in 1981