Sheila Barton

Marilynn Smith, who helped found the Ladies Professional Golf Association in 1950, went on to win 21 tour events, including two major championships. She died at age 89 in Goodyear, Ariz. In the 1940s the disparity in prize money for men was far greater than for women. As one of the 13 founding members of the LPGA, Marilynn said with a laugh, “Oh, we didn’t play for the money back then. We played to make the tour a success.”

The seeds of the modern women’s tour were born from this inequality in standing and pay. Smith was one of the many women who traversed the country to promote and grow the LPGA. She became known as “Miss Personality” for her outgoing nature, making appearances on radio and TV, as well as at civic luncheons, press conferences, and even boxing matches and baseball games to help sell their tour to a wide audience.

The Sun Lakes Lady Niners announced the 2021 Champions at their after-holiday get-together, planned by Jan Sykes and Rose Gallagher, at Jan Sykes’ home. The Club Championship (Low Gross) winner was Ann Hegney, Overall Club Champion. The Flight 1 winner was Rose Gallagher, Flight 2 was Dottie Wodraska, and Flight 3 was Jackie Aagaard. Presidents Cup winners (Low Net) were Beverly Jur, Liz Tollefsen, and Jan Sykes. A good time was had by all, with lots of food and drink and camaraderie.

As for league play, the game for Jan. 4 was Low Putts, and the winner in Flight 1 was Irene Anderson, Dottie Wodraska in Flight 2, and Jackie Aagaard in Flight 3. The game on Jan. 11 was Yellow Ball, and there was a tie for the winning foursome. One foursome included Susan Geis, Lavonne Mensink, Joann Brown, and Jackie Aagaard, and the second foursome included Rose Gallagher, Irene Anderson, Jan Sykes, and Mary Bohren. The game on Jan. 18 was Low Net Water Holes, and the winner in Flight 1 was Linda Stimart, Ann Michals in Flight 2, and Arlene Fletcher in Flight 3. On Jan. 25 the game was Low Gross, and the winner in Flight 1 was Rose Gallagher, in Flight 2 Irene Anderson, and in Flight 3 Beverly Jur.

The Sun Lakes Lady Niners are always looking for new members. Please contact President Irene Anderson at 612-669-2666 if you would like to join or to talk about joining. The new membership form is available in the Sun Lakes Pro Shop. The Sun Lakes Lady Niners provide a very supportive and welcoming environment. Please consider coming out and hitting a ball and having a ball with them.