Judy Rankin - Part 1 (The Early Years)

Judy Rankin, World Golf Hall of Fame member and renowned golf broadcaster, takes us back to her childhood in St. Louis, Missouri as an only child who learned the game at a very early age from her father. Judy had tremendous success as a junior player, winning the National Pee Wee Championship four times and the Missouri State Amateur twice, all before the age of 16. She played in the Women's U.S. Open at age 14 and was Low Am the following year. Judy graced the cover of Sports Illustrated after competing in the Women's British Amateur at Carnoustie as a 16-year-old, traveling there thanks to the funds raised by her dad and local pro, Bob Green. Judy Rankin reflects on the joys of travel in those days, how she ended up turning pro and ends with her memories of the great Mickey Wright as she begins 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!

Rankin, Judy

Golf Professional and Broadcaster

Thank goodness for a phone call from Sports Illustrated, otherwise women’s golf may never have been blessed with one of its most respected figures.

As Judy Rankin recounts the story, she quit golf at 16 after losing in the second round of the British Women’s Amateur. She had started playing golf at age six under the guidance of her father. Her prolific amateur career included winning the Missouri Amateur as a 14-year-old and being the youngest low amateur at the U.S. Women’s Open at the age of 15 in 1960.

Two weeks after putting away her clubs in exchange for a fishing rod, Rankin received a call from Sports Illustrated wondering if she planned on competing in the U.S. Women’s Open because they wanted to publish her picture on the magazine’s cover. A Hall of Fame career suddenly was re-ignited.

Rankin is the first LPGA player voted into the Hall of Fame via the Veterans Category, which was created in February 1999. Rankin received the necessary two-thirds vote of the LPGA tournament division to become the LPGA Tour Hall of Fame’s 18th member.

“I played all of my best years with severe back trouble. I would play a month and be a cripple a month. My goal was to stay on my feet.”
“When I’m off by myself and think about this, I guess I never really thought this would come to be. It’s been a long road to get here, but I am so happy to receive this honor,” said Rankin after being notified of the vote. “I am very pleased to join so many long-time friends who are already in the Hall, it makes it that much more special. It is particularly grati… Read More

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