Jan Stephenson - Part 4 (The Later Wins and Life After the LPGA)

One of the hardest working golf professionals of her time, WGHOF member Jan Stephenson recalls her final few victories on the LPGA Tour before personal loss and a violent mugging led to a premature end to her illustrious career. Jan proudly relates her involvement is starting the LPGA Legends Tour and her participation in the Handa Cup competitions. Among her many accolades, the "call to the hall" in 2019 from Nancy Lopez might be her favorite. Since retiring from the game, she has been quite active with her Crossroads Foundation and her many business ventures. Jan Stephenson concludes her life story, "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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