Marilynn Louise Smith (April 13, 1929 – April 9, 2019) was an American professional golfer. She was one of the thirteen founders of the LPGA in 1950. She won two major championships and 21 LPGA Tour events in all. She is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Early life and amateur career In 1929, Smith was born in Topeka, Kansas. She started playing golf at age 12.
She was a three-time winner of the Kansas State Amateur from 1946 to 1948. She won the 1949 national individual intercollegiate golf championship while attending the University of Kansas.
Professional career In 1949, Smith turned pro. She joined the Spalding staff. She was one of the thirteen women who founded the LPGA in 1950. She won her first tournament in 1952 at the Fort Wayne Open. She would go on to win a total of 21 events on the LPGA Tour, including two major championships, the 1963 and 1964 Titleholders Championships. She finished in the top ten on the money list nine times between 1961 and 1972, with her best finishes being fourth places in 1963, 1968 and 1970. She was named the LPGA Most Improved Player in 1963. She also was the LPGA's president from 1958 to 1960.
In 1973 she became the first woman to work on a men's golf television broadcast.
Personal life While playing at a tournament in Florida, Smith escaped uninjured when a sniper fired several shots at her and Australian player Margie Masters. The perpetrator was never identified.
She died on April 9, 2019, four days before her 90th birthday, from complications of an infection due to a fall during the week of The Founders Cup in Phoenix.
Awards and honors
In 1963, Smith was honored with the LPGA's Most Improved Player award. In 1979, Smith earned the LPGA's Patty Berg Award, bestowed to an individual who "exemplifies diplomacy, sportsmanship, goodwill and contributions to the game of golf." In 2000, Smith was bestowed the Commissioner's Award. In June 2006, Smith was selected for membership of the World Golf Hall of Fame in the Lifetime Achievement category and was inducted in October 2006.
Professional wins (23) LPGA Tour wins (21) 1954 (1) Fort Wayne Open 1955 (2) Heart of America Open, Mile High Open 1958 (1) Jacksonville Open 1959 (1) Memphis Open 1962 (2) Sunshine Open, Waterloo Open 1963 (4) Titleholders Championship, Peach Blossom Open, Eugene Ladies' Open, Cavern City Open 1964 (2) Titleholders Championship, Albuquerque Pro-Am 1965 (1) Peach Blossom Open 1966 (2) St. Petersburg Women's Open, Louise Suggs Delray Beach Invitational 1967 (2) St. Petersburg Orange Classic, Babe Zaharias Open 1968 (1) O'Sullivan Open 1970 (1) Women's Golf Charities Open 1972 (1) Pabst Ladies Classic
LPGA majors are shown in bold.
Sources:
Other wins (2) 1957 Hot Springs 4-Ball (with Fay Crocker) 1962 Naples Pro-Am (with Mickey Wright)
Major championships Wins (2) YearChampionshipWinning scoreMarginRunner-up 1963 Titleholders Championship E (72-75-69-76=292)Playoff 1 Mickey Wright 1964 Titleholders Championship +1 (73-66-77-73=289)1 stroke Mickey Wright 1 In an 18-hole playoff, Smith 72, Wright 73
See also List of golfers with most LPGA Tour wins
References
External links