Born: 1934 (Eureka, South Dakota)
Died: 2023 (Rancho Mirage, California)
Biography:
Marlene Hagge (née Bauer; February 16, 1934 – May 16, 2023) was an American professional golfer and one of the founding members of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) in 1950. She had an illustrious career, winning one major championship and a total of 26 LPGA Tour events. Known for her exceptional skills and determination, Marlene Hagge left a lasting impact on the world of golf.
Born on February 16, 1934, in Eureka, South Dakota, Marlene Hagge displayed an early affinity for golf. She began playing the sport at the tender age of three and quickly showed promise. At the remarkable age of 10, Marlene claimed victory in the Long Beach City Boys Junior tournament, showcasing her remarkable talent at such a young age. By the age of 13, she had already secured numerous prestigious titles, including the Western and National Junior Championships, the Los Angeles Women’s City Championship, the Palm Springs Women’s Championship, the Northern California Open, and the Indio Women’s Invitational.
Hagge made history in 1947, becoming the youngest player ever to make the cut at the U.S. Women’s Open when she was only 13 years old. She finished eighth in the tournament, a remarkable accomplishment for someone so young. The following year, at the age of 15, she not only won the U.S. Girls’ Junior and the Women’s Western Golf Association (WWGA) Junior titles but also became the youngest athlete to be named Associated Press Athlete of the Year, Golfer of the Year, and Teenager of the Year.
In 1950, Marlene Hagge became one of the thirteen pioneering women who founded the LPGA. At just 16 years old, she became the youngest member ever to join the LPGA Tour. Her older sister, Alice Bauer, was also one of the founding members. Hagge’s breakthrough came in 1952 when she clinched her first LPGA Tour victory at the Sarasota Open. This marked the beginning of an impressive professional career that would see her win a total of 26 LPGA Tour titles.
The pinnacle of Hagge’s professional career came in 1956 when she claimed victory in the prestigious LPGA Championship, earning her one major championship title. That same year, she emerged as the tour’s leading money winner and secured an impressive eight wins, cementing her status as one of the top players of her time. Her contributions to the sport were recognized when she was voted into the LPGA Tour Hall of Fame in 2002 through the Veteran’s Category. Subsequently, Marlene Hagge was officially inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, solidifying her legacy as a golfing icon.
Before her retirement from competitive golf in 1996, Hagge left an indelible mark on the sport, inspiring future generations of women golfers. Beyond her accomplishments on the course, she appeared on the popular CBS game show, What’s My Line, in 1961, showcasing her charisma and broadening her influence beyond the golfing world.
Outside of golf, Marlene Hagge’s personal life saw its share of twists and turns. She married Bob Hagge, her sister Alice’s ex-husband, in late 1955. The couple eventually divorced in 1964. In 1995, she married former PGA Tour golfer Ernie Vossler, with whom she lived in La Quinta, California, until his death on her birthday, February 16, 2013. Marlene Hagge continued to reside in La Quinta until her own passing.
Sadly, Marlene Hagge passed away on May 16, 2023, in Rancho Mirage, California, at the age of 89. Her death was attributed to complications from a fall. Her remarkable achievements, trailblazing spirit, and undeniable talent have left an everlasting legacy in the world of golf.
Awards:
-LPGA Championship (1956)
-Voted into the LPGA Tour Hall of Fame (2002)
-Inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame (Year not specified)