Jan Stephenson - Part 2 (Early Wins and Being the Face of the LPGA Tour)

3-time major championship winner, Jan Stephenson, reflects back on her early years on the LPGA Tour and recounts several of her 27 professional wins including her first at the 1973 Wills Australian Ladies Open. Jan describes how her life changed when, in 1977, Sport Magazine used a photo of a bra-less Stephenson, not intended for publication, on the cover of their magazine. She relates how, in the crazed aftermath of that photo, LPGA Commissioner Ray Volpe recognized an opportunity to change the tour's image to attract more fans and sponsors. And so, Jan Stephenson became the face of the LPGA Tour and a reluctant sex symbol. She worked tirelessly, often giving of her time freely, to promote the Tour for the benefit of everybody. Despite the distractions, she was able to amass a marvelous record in golf, "FORE the Good of the Game."

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About

"FORE the Good of the Game” is a golf podcast featuring interviews with World Golf Hall of Fame members, winners of major championships and other people of influence in and around the game of golf. Highlighting the positive aspects of the game, we aim to create and provide an engaging and timeless repository of content that listeners can enjoy now and forever. Co-hosted by PGA Tour star Bruce Devlin, our podcast focuses on telling their life stories, in their voices. Join Bruce and Mike Gonzalez “FORE the Good of the Game.”

Thanks so much for listening!

Stephenson, Jan

Golf Professional

Jan started her winning golf career at an early age, winning 6 consecutive State Schoolgirl Championships in her home country of Australia. She was selected to represent her State in the National Women’s Championships when she was 15 and won the Australian Foursomes Championship with Diana Thomas. She won all the trials for the World Team representation, including the State Stroke Play Championship and the State Match Play Championship, but was not chosen to represent the State. The Australian Ladies Golf Union cited that Jan as too young to represent her country, even though she had won the Trials. This was a devastating loss to Jan, but turned out to be the best lesson for her. The Australian Media used this to jump on Jan’s “Band Wagon”. Realizing that she would never be chosen to represent her country, Jan turned professional and joined the Australian LPGA in August of 1973.

She won 5 of the last 10 events including the Australian LPGA Championship and the Ladies Australian Open. Jan joined the US LPGA tour in 1974 and won Rookie of the Year Honors. In 1975 Jan was invited to play in the Inaugural Moroccan Open. Jan won the event and added another National Open title to her resume. During 1976, Commissioner Ray Volpe immediately saw that Jan could be the new “face” of the LPGA. “She has sex appeal and talent. What more could we ask for”, Volpe said. He proceeded to utilize Jan for programs for the new tournaments and promote this “new image” for the LPGA. Jan traveled around the country meeting potential new sponsors and attending press conferences for new e… Read More

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