Palmer, Sandra

Professional Golfer

Tiny Sandra Palmer grew up as one of a host of fine female golfers who called Fort Worth’s River Crest Country Club home. As a youngster, Sandra was tutored by the late professional A.G. Mitchell. Other professionals who influenced her career in a later time were Harvey Penick, Ernie Vossler and Johnny Revolta.

As an amateur, Sandra won the West Texas championship four times and the Texas State Amateur title once in 1963. Prior to that, while as student at North Texas State, Palmer was runner-up in the National Collegiate Championship of 1961. After turning pro in 1964, Palmer struggled through seven lean years. From then on, however, she won no less than two events per season for the next seven years. She amassed 19 wins on the LPGA tour in her career, including two majors - the 1972 Titleholders Championship and the 1975 U.S. Women's Open. She topped the money list for 1975 and was awarded the LPGA Player of the Year title.

She became the LPGA’s 13th millionaire in 1986 and was inducted into the National Collegiate Hall of Fame in 1988.

Prior to that, Palmer was voted North Texas State’s Alumnus of the Year in 1977. The former North Texas State cheerleader continued playing on the LPGA tour until 1997. She competed in the 1989 Marilynn Smith Founders Classic, the first senior event for women professionals.