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Patty Berg
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Patty Berg
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Patricia Jane Berg (February 13, 1918 – September 10, 2006)[1] was an American professional golfer. She was a founding member and the first president of the LPGA.[2][3] Her 15 major title wins remains the all-time record for most major wins by a female golfer. She is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Key Information

In winter times she was also a speed skater.[4]

Amateur career

[edit]

Berg was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and expressed an interest in football at an early age. At one point, she played quarterback on a local team that included future Oklahoma Sooners head football coach Bud Wilkinson. At the age of 13, Berg took up golf in 1931 at the suggestion of her parents; by 1934, she began her amateur career and won the Minneapolis City Championship.[3] The following year, Berg claimed a state amateur title.[5] She attended the University of Minnesota where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She came to national attention by reaching the final of the 1935 U.S. Women's Amateur, losing to Glenna Collett-Vare in Vare's final Amateur victory. Berg won the Titleholders in 1937. In 1938, she won the U.S. Women's Amateur at Westmoreland[6] and the Women's Western Amateur. With a victory in the 1938 Titleholders Championship and a spot on the winning Curtis Cup team as well, Berg was selected as the Associated Press Woman Athlete of the Year, the first of three times she earned the honor.[3] In 1939, Berg won her third consecutive Titleholders, although she was unable to compete in the U.S. Women's Amateur due to an operation on her appendix.[7]

Professional career

[edit]

After winning 29 amateur titles, she turned professional in 1940.[3] Berg's career had been interrupted by an automobile accident in December 1941; while traveling to a fund-raising event with Helen Dettweiler, a head-on accident shattered Berg's knee.

Berg being sworn into the United States Marine Corps Women's Reserve during World War II.

Subsequently, she recovered and volunteered for the United States Marine Corps and was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1942. She served in the Marine Reserves from 1942 to 1945.[8][3]

Despite concerns that her golfing career would end, Berg returned to the game in 1943, helped by a locker room fall that broke adhesions which had developed in her leg. Upon her comeback, she won the Women's Western Open.[7] She won the inaugural U.S. Women's Open in 1946. In 1948, she helped establish the forerunner of the LPGA, the Women's Professional Golf Association (WPGA), winning three tournaments that season and in 1949.[7] When the LPGA was officially started in 1950, Berg was one of the 13 founding members and held a leadership position as the association's first president.[3] Berg won a total of 57 events on the LPGA and WPGA circuit, and was runner-up in the 1957 Open at Winged Foot. She was runner-up in the 1956 and 1959 LPGA Championships.[3] In addition, Berg won the 1953, 1957, and 1958 Women's Western Opens, the 1955 and 1957 Titleholders, both considered majors at the time. Her last victory came in 1962. She was voted the Associated Press Woman Athlete of the Year in 1942 and 1955, in addition to her 1938 award. During a four-year stretch from 1953 to 1956, Berg won the Vare Trophy three times for having the lowest scoring average on the LPGA.[5] She was the LPGA Tour's top money winner twice, in 1954 and 1957, and her seven Titleholders wins is an all-time record.[3] Berg won 15 women's major golf championships in her career, including the seven Titleholders victories, seven wins in the Women's Western Open, and the 1946 U.S. Women's Open championship.[7]

In 1959, Berg became the first woman to hit a hole-in-one during a USGA competition, which happened at the U.S. Women's Open.[9]

In 1963, Berg was voted the recipient of the Bob Jones Award, the highest honor given by the United States Golf Association in recognition of distinguished sportsmanship in golf. Berg received the 1986 Old Tom Morris Award from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America, GCSAA's highest honor. The LPGA established the Patty Berg Award in 1978. In her later years, Berg teamed-up with PGA Tour player and fellow Fort Myers, Florida resident Nolan Henke to establish the Nolan Henke/Patty Berg Junior Masters to promote the development of young players.

Berg was sponsored on the LPGA Tour her entire career by public golf patriarch Joe Jemsek, owner of the famous Cog Hill Golf & Country Club in Lemont, Illinois, site of the PGA Tour's Western Open from 1991 to 2006. Berg represented another of Jemsek's public facilities, St. Andrews Golf & Country Club in West Chicago, Illinois, on the women's circuit for over 60 years.

Berg told Chicagoland Golf magazine she taught over 16,000 clinics in her lifetime – many of which were sponsored by Chicago-based Wilson Sporting Goods and were called "The Patty Berg Hit Parade." In that interview, Berg figured she personally indoctrinated to the game of golf over a half-million new players. She was a member of Wilson's Advisory Staff for 66 years, until her death.

She announced in December 2004 that she had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. She died in Fort Myers from complications of the disease 21 months later at the age of 88.

Professional wins (63)

[edit]

LPGA Tour wins (60)

[edit]

LPGA majors are shown in bold.

Other wins (3)

[edit]

Major championships

[edit]

Wins (15)

[edit]
Year Championship Winning score Margin Runner(s)-up
1937 Titleholders Championship +3 (80-87-73=240) 3 strokes United States Dorothy Kirby (a)
1938 Titleholders Championship −5 (78-79-77-77=311) 14 strokes United States Jane Cothran (a)
1939 Titleholders Championship +19 (78-78-83-80=319) 2 strokes United States Dorothy Kirby (a)
1941 Women's Western Open 7 & 6 United States Mrs. Burt Weil
1943 Women's Western Open 1 up United States Dorothy Kirby (a)
1946 U.S. Women's Open 4 & 3 United States Betty Jameson
1948 Titleholders Championship +8 (80-74-78-76=308) 1 stroke United States Peggy Kirk, United States Babe Zaharias
1948 Women's Western Open 37 holes United States Babe Zaharias
1951 Women's Western Open 2 up United States Pat O'Sullivan (a)
1953 Titleholders Championship +6 (72-74-73-75=294) 9 strokes United States Betsy Rawls
1955 Titleholders Championship +3 (76-68-74-73=291) 2 strokes United States Mary Lena Faulk
1955 Women's Western Open E (73-75-71-73=292) 2 strokes Uruguay Fay Crocker, United States Louise Suggs
1957 Titleholders Championship +8 (78-71-78-69=296) 3 strokes United States Anne Quast (a)
1957 Women's Western Open −1 (72-70-75-74=291) 1 stroke United States Wiffi Smith
1958 Women's Western Open +1 (75-72-71-75=293) 4 strokes United States Beverly Hanson

Results timeline

[edit]
Tournament 1937 1938 1939
Women's Western Open QF
Titleholders Championship 1 1 1
Tournament 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949
Women's Western Open 1 1 QF 2 SF 1 SF
Titleholders Championship NT NT NT 4 1 T2
U.S. Women's Open NYF NYF NYF NYF NYF NYF 1 9 T4 T4
Tournament 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959
Women's Western Open SF 1 QF 2 SF 1 T4 1 1 T2
Titleholders Championship T8 T3 T3 1 2 1 2 1 3 T8
U.S. Women's Open 5 8 9 3 12 5 T3 2 T9 6
LPGA Championship NYF NYF NYF NYF NYF 2 7 12 2
Tournament 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969
Women's Western Open T13 T15 T3 14 9 WD T11 NT NT
Titleholders Championship T4 T2 4 22 T15 23 NT NT NT
U.S. Women's Open 17 18 T13 T29 10 T22 T18 39 T29 CUT
LPGA Championship 4 20 T13 12 T11 T22 T22 T17
Tournament 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979
Titleholders Championship NT NT T36 NT NT NT NT NT NT NT
U.S. Women's Open 31 CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT CUT
LPGA Championship T17 CUT T51 CUT CUT CUT CUT
  Win
  Top 10
  Did not play

NYF = tournament not yet founded
NT = no tournament
CUT = missed the half-way cut
R16, QF, SF = round in which player lost in match play
"T" indicates a tie for a place

Summary

[edit]
  • Starts – 97
  • Wins – 15
  • 2nd-place finishes – 10
  • 3rd-place finishes – 10
  • Top 3 finishes – 35
  • Top 5 finishes – 47
  • Top 10 finishes – 57
  • Top 25 finishes – 78
  • Missed cuts – 12
  • Most consecutive cuts made – 79
  • Longest streak of top-10s – 32

Team appearances

[edit]

Amateur

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Patty Berg

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Patricia Jane Berg (February 13, 1918 – September 10, 2006) was an American professional golfer renowned for her pioneering role in women's golf, including co-founding the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) in 1950 and serving as its first president from 1950 to 1956. She amassed 60 professional victories, a record 15 major championships—encompassing eight Western Opens, seven Titleholders Championships, and the 1946 U.S. Women's Open—and was named Associated Press Woman Athlete of the Year three times in different decades (1938, 1943, and 1955). Berg's dynamic playing style, marked by versatility in shot-making, and her contributions to promoting the sport through over 10,000 instructional clinics worldwide solidified her legacy as a trailblazer who elevated women's professional golf during its formative years. Born in , , to a supportive family—her father, Herman Berg Sr., a grain merchant, encouraged her early interest in —Berg quickly rose as an standout, capturing the 1934 Minneapolis City Championship and dominating in 1938 by winning 10 of 13 tournaments, including the U.S. Women's . She turned professional on July 10, 1940, signing a $7,500 annual contract with , and soon claimed her first major at the 1941 . She won the Titleholders Championship from 1937 to 1939 as an , establishing her as a dominant force before the formal organization of women's pro . During , Berg paused her career to enlist in Corps Women's Reserve in 1943, rising to the rank of and serving as a procurement officer in until 1945, while also organizing benefit exhibitions that raised approximately $3 million for war efforts. Postwar, she was instrumental in forming the alongside 12 other pioneers, providing administrative leadership and on-course success that helped professionalize and popularize women's amid initial financial challenges. Inducted into the in 1978 and honored with the Bob Jones Award in 1986 for sportsmanship, Berg continued advocating for the sport until her death from complications related to in Fort Myers, Florida, at age 88.

Early life and education

Childhood and family background

Patricia Jane Berg was born on February 13, 1918, in , . She was the third daughter of Theresa D. Berg and Herman Louis Berg Sr., a prominent grain merchant and member of the and Boards of Trade. Her siblings included two older sisters, Helen and Mary, and a brother, Herman Berg Jr., who was an accomplished golfer himself. The Berg family provided strong encouragement for Patty's athletic interests from a young age, with her parents and siblings fostering an environment that valued physical activity and competition. Growing up in 1920s Minneapolis, Berg benefited from her family's prosperous status, which stemmed from her father's successful career in the during a period of in the before the . This affluence granted the family membership at the prestigious Interlachen Country Club in suburban Edina, offering early exposure to recreational facilities that would later influence her development.

Introduction to golf and other sports

Patty Berg discovered at the age of 13 in 1931, when her father, noticing her natural swing with an old club in their backyard, suggested adding a ball and took her to Interlachen Country Club in for lessons. Her family's support, rooted in their encouragement of her early athletic interests, played a key role in this introduction. She quickly took to the sport, practicing daily with a set of four cut-down clubs provided by her father and honing her skills at local venues like Interlachen. Under the guidance of renowned local golf professional Les Bolstad, who became her longtime coach, Berg refined her swing and technique during her early teenage years, building a strong foundation for competitive play. By age 15, she entered her first major local tournament, qualifying for the 1933 City Women's Championship, marking the start of her junior-level competition in regional events. This early exposure to structured matches helped her transition from casual play to serious contention by her mid-teens. In addition to golf, Berg was an all-around athlete during her youth, particularly excelling in speed skating during Minnesota's harsh winters, where she competed on the Powderhorn Park team and earned a runner-up finish in the 1934 National Junior Speed Skating Championships. Her involvement in speed skating and other sports like football, hockey, baseball, and track developed her overall physical conditioning and competitive drive, providing the endurance essential for the demands of golf. Berg attended Minneapolis Washburn High School, where she navigated the challenges of maintaining her grades while dedicating significant time to her athletic pursuits, often practicing after and competing in off-season like . This balance honed her discipline, allowing her to excel academically and athletically during adolescence. After graduating from high school, Berg enrolled at the in the fall of 1938 to study business. She joined the university's women's team, continuing to train under coach Les Bolstad, and balanced her academic and athletic commitments until turning professional in 1940.

Amateur career

Key amateur victories

Patty Berg amassed 28 titles between 1934 and 1940, establishing herself as one of the most dominant players in women's during that era. Her first major victory came in 1935 at age 17, when she captured the Minnesota State Championship, the initial of three such titles she would win in her home state. In 1937, Berg won the first of three consecutive Titleholders Championships, a prestigious invitational tournament that she would also claim in 1938 and 1939 as an . Berg's breakthrough on the national stage occurred in , when she won the U.S. Women's Amateur Championship at Westmoreland Country Club in , defeating defending champion Estelle Lawson Page 6 and 5 in the final to avenge her runner-up finish from the previous year. That same year, she claimed the Women's Western Amateur at , beating Edith Estabrooks in the final, and also secured the South Atlantic Amateur (also known as the North and South Amateur) at . In 1939, Berg continued her success by repeating as South Atlantic Amateur champion and adding the Women's Trans-Mississippi Amateur to her resume, further solidifying her record of dominance in Midwest and regional circuits from 1935 to 1939, where she frequently outpaced top competitors in match-play formats. These victories highlighted her aggressive style and consistency, contributing to her overall tally of prestigious amateur crowns before turning professional in 1940.

National and international recognition

In 1938, Patty Berg was named the Female Athlete of the Year, recognizing her dominance in women's that season, which included victories in ten of thirteen tournaments she entered. This accolade highlighted her as a standout performer across , marking the first of three times she would receive the honor. Berg's selection to the Curtis Cup team in 1938 further elevated her profile on the international stage, where she contributed to a 5½–3½ victory over at the fourth edition of the biennial team competition held at Essex County Club in . The event, pitting top American women amateurs against their British counterparts, showcased her skills in and solidified her reputation as a key figure in transatlantic rivalries. National media outlets took notice of Berg's amateur prowess, with featuring her in a year-end review of achievements, praising her record-breaking performance on the links as a defining moment of . Such profiles in prominent publications underscored her emergence as a prodigious talent, often drawing comparisons to her recent victory. These accomplishments led to invitations for international exhibitions, positioning Berg as a rising star capable of representing American golf abroad and inspiring broader interest in the women's game.

Military service

Enlistment and training

In 1943, at the age of 25, Patty Berg enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Women's Reserve, driven by a strong sense of and admiration for her childhood heroes—football coach and family friend —who had served as during . Berg's decision reflected the broader wartime call for women to support the military effort, and her fame as a golfer made her enlistment notable in the press. The Marine Corps established its initial Women's Reserve midshipmen school in March 1943 at in , to prepare women for non-combat roles. The program emphasized administrative skills, leadership principles, and physical conditioning to ready candidates for and support duties, with classes running monthly to meet the demands of the war. Berg's athletic background from amateur provided a solid foundation for the components, helping her endure the rigorous regimen. Transitioning from the independent world of competitive to structure proved challenging for Berg, as she adjusted to disciplined routines, uniform standards, and hierarchical command—contrasting sharply with the autonomy of tournament play. Despite these adaptations, she excelled and was commissioned as a upon graduation, later advancing to in the reserves.

Service contributions and discharge

During her service in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1943 to 1945, Patty Berg served as a in the Eastern Procurement Division based in , , where she was assigned to recruiting officer candidates from college campuses across the . She traveled extensively on teams, targeting men aged 17 to 27 for combat training, and her efforts successfully attracted numerous recruits to the Marines. Berg's leadership in these roles earned her exemplary reviews at every level, as documented in her duty records, highlighting her effectiveness in promoting the Marine Corps. In addition to recruiting, Berg contributed to morale-boosting efforts by organizing golf clinics and benefit matches that raised awareness and funds for the , including an estimated $3 million in 1944 alone through exhibitions and promotional events. These activities leveraged her fame as a to engage communities and support military initiatives, often conducted at U.S. bases and public venues to inspire enlistment and sustain public support. While her military duties limited her competitive , she won the Women's Western Open and All American Open in 1943. Berg was named the Female Athlete of the Year in 1943, recognizing her broader contributions to sports and patriotism. Berg received an honorable discharge in 1945 at the conclusion of hostilities, allowing her to resume her career after her service. This period of service not only interrupted her athletic pursuits but also shaped her postwar commitment to women's opportunities in , informed by her experiences in a male-dominated environment.

Professional career

Turning professional and early tours

Patty Berg turned professional in 1940 at the age of 22, signing a groundbreaking endorsement contract with for an annual salary of $7,500, which allowed her to focus on competitive without immediate financial pressures. Her early successes included victories in the 1941 Women's Western Open and the 1943 Women's Western Open. However, her nascent career was derailed shortly after by a severe automobile accident in late 1941, which resulted in a double compound fracture of her right knee and required extensive rehabilitation. This injury, compounded by her enlistment in the U.S. Marine Corps Women's Reserve in 1943, paused her professional pursuits until after . Following her honorable discharge in 1945, Berg resumed competitive through exhibition matches and benefit events aimed at supporting postwar recovery efforts, leveraging her military experience to promote the sport. She quickly regained her form, securing victory in the 1945 All American Open, her first professional title after the hiatus. In 1946, Berg joined the Women's Professional Golf Association (WPGA), the era's primary circuit for female professionals, and marked her return with a dominant win in the inaugural , defeating Betty Jameson 5 and 4 in the 36-hole final match-play format. Berg's early professional tours were characterized by participation in sporadic invitational events like the Titleholders Championship, where she claimed a victory in 1948 amid a fragmented schedule of tournaments. The postwar women's circuit faced significant instability, with small prize purses—often under $1,000 for major events—and inconsistent sponsorship, leading to the WPGA's dissolution in 1949 as players struggled to sustain full-time careers. Despite these challenges, Berg's consistent performances, including multiple top finishes in western opens and titleholders, helped elevate the visibility of women's professional golf during this transitional period.

Founding of the LPGA

In 1950, Patty Berg co-founded the Ladies Professional Golf Association () alongside 12 other pioneering women golfers—Alice Bauer, Bettye Danoff, Helen Dettweiler, Marlene Hagge-Vossler, Helen Hicks, Opal Hill, Betty Jameson, Sally Sessions, Marilynn Smith, Shirley Spork, , and —establishing the first official organization dedicated to professional women's golf. The group met to draft bylaws, elect officers, and hire Fred Corcoran as the inaugural commissioner, with Berg elected as the 's first president, serving from 1950 to 1952. This founding came after Berg's early professional experiences, including victories on informal tours in the 1940s, which highlighted the need for a stable professional structure. The emerged as a direct response to the instability of its predecessor, the Women's Professional Golf Association (WPGA), which had been chartered in 1944 but dissolved in 1949 due to financial and organizational challenges that left women golfers without a sustainable platform for competition and income. Berg and the founders worked to professionalize the sport by developing a formal tour schedule, starting with 14 tournaments in the inaugural 1950 season, and pursuing sponsorships to support players' careers. As an early endorser with , Berg personally advocated for equipment deals that extended to other professionals, helping to secure financial backing and legitimacy for the fledgling tour. Berg's leadership emphasized advocacy for greater equity and visibility in women's , including pushes for increased to make professional play viable and enhanced media coverage to attract sponsors and fans. She contributed directly to the 's bylaws, which outlined governance, membership, and operational standards, providing the stability that allowed the organization to grow from makeshift events into a enduring professional entity. Under her presidency, the transitioned from the WPGA's precarious foundation to a more robust framework, laying the groundwork for women's to thrive independently.

Competitive achievements

LPGA Tour wins

Patty Berg amassed 60 LPGA Tour victories in her career from 1937 to 1962, a total that ranks her fourth all-time behind (88), (82), and (61). Her inaugural LPGA win occurred in 1950 at the Tampa Open, marking the start of her dominant professional tenure on the fledgling tour. Throughout the 1950s, Berg demonstrated remarkable consistency, capturing multiple titles each season and establishing herself as a cornerstone of the tour's early growth. In 1954, she secured four LPGA victories and topped the money list with earnings of $16,011, outpacing competitors like Babe Zaharias. Berg repeated as the tour's leading money winner in 1955, again with six wins and $16,492 in , including a standout performance at the Titleholders Championship, where she claimed victory by a significant margin. She reclaimed the money lead in 1957 with $16,272, underscoring her financial dominance during an era when total annual purses rarely exceeded $150,000 across all events. Berg's career of $190,760 further highlighted her in generating and capitalizing on opportunities for women professionals. Berg's final LPGA Tour triumph came in 1962 at the Muskogee Civitan Open, when she was 44 years old, capping a career that blended endurance with precision on courses nationwide.

Other professional victories

In the era before the 's formation in 1950, women's professional golf featured a fragmented schedule of invitational tournaments, exhibitions, and team events, often sponsored by equipment manufacturers or local organizations to promote the sport. Patty Berg amassed a total of 63 professional victories throughout her career, with 60 officially recognized on the LPGA Tour and the remaining three from non-tour professional competitions that highlighted her adaptability in varied formats. These supplemental wins included three victories in the Orlando Mixed Foursome, a team exhibition event pairing male and female professionals. Berg claimed the title in 1945 alongside Pete Cooper, defeating the field in this early promotional matchup. She repeated the success in 1950 with partner Earl Stewart, navigating the alternate-shot format to secure the win. Her third triumph came in 1954, again with Cooper, underscoring her prowess in collaborative play during the post-war expansion of women's exhibitions. These events, common in the and early , helped build in the sport amid limited official tour structures.

Major championships

Major wins

Patty Berg amassed a record 15 major championship victories in women's , a mark that remains unmatched. Her triumphs spanned three key tournaments recognized as majors during her era: the Titleholders Championship, the Women's Western Open, and the U.S. Women's Open. Berg secured seven Titleholders Championships between 1937 and 1957, beginning with her first major win as an in 1937 at in Georgia, where she won by three strokes over Dorothy Kirby. She followed with consecutive victories in 1938 and 1939, establishing an early dominance in the event, and added professional titles in 1948, 1953, 1955, and 1957. These wins highlighted her precision and consistency on the challenging Augusta layout, contributing significantly to her legacy as a foundational figure in the sport. In the Women's Western Open, another premier invitational major of the time, Berg claimed seven titles from 1941 to 1958, starting with her 1941 victory at Westmoreland Country Club in . Notable among these were back-to-back wins in 1957 at Montgomery Country Club and 1958 at Kahkwa Club in , where she shot 293 to win by four strokes over Beverly Hanson, securing her 15th and final major. Her other Western Open successes came in 1943, 1948, 1951, and 1955, often under match-play formats early on before transitioning to , showcasing her versatility in competitive formats. Berg's sole U.S. Women's Open triumph occurred in its inaugural edition in 1946 at Spokane Country Club in Washington, where she won the 36-hole final match against Betty Jameson 5 and 4, claiming the first national open title for women professionals. This victory, coming shortly after her service, underscored her resilience and solidified the event's place in the major rotation.
TournamentYears Won
Titleholders Championship1937, 1938, 1939, 1948, 1953, 1955, 1957
Women's Western Open1941, 1943, 1948, 1951, 1955, 1957, 1958
U.S. Women's Open1946
Berg's major record reflects her adaptability to evolving definitions of women's majors, as the Titleholders and Western Open held major status through the 1950s before being phased out in favor of newer events like the LPGA Championship. Her sustained excellence over two decades, from amateur beginnings to professional peaks, established her as the benchmark for achievement in the field.

Performance timeline and summary

Patty Berg demonstrated exceptional dominance in women's major championships throughout her career, competing from 1937 to 1964 in the era's premier events: the Titleholders Championship, Women's Western Open, (inaugurated in 1946), and Championship (inaugurated in 1955). She secured a record 15 major titles, reflecting her consistency in making cuts and achieving high placements, with numerous top-10 finishes across these tournaments. Berg's results highlight her adaptability to both match-play and stroke-play formats in the pre- and early- years. The following table summarizes Berg's major championship wins by year, illustrating her timeline of victories:
YearTournamentFinish
1937Titleholders Championship1st
1938Titleholders Championship1st
1939Titleholders Championship1st
1941Women's Western Open1st
1943Women's Western Open1st
19461st
1948Titleholders Championship1st
1948Women's Western Open1st
1951Women's Western Open1st
1953Titleholders Championship1st
1955Titleholders Championship1st
1955Women's Western Open1st
1957Titleholders Championship1st
1957Women's Western Open1st
1958Women's Western Open1st
Berg's best finishes included seven victories in the Titleholders Championship, seven in the Women's Western Open, one in the U.S. Women's Open, and runner-up placements in the Championship (1956 and 1959). Her wins were distributed as three in the , five in the , and seven in the , underscoring her sustained excellence over two decades. Aggregate statistics show 15 wins and approximately 25 top-10 finishes in majors, with Berg making the cut in the vast majority of events she entered. Berg's peak performance occurred in the and , when she captured 12 of her 15 majors amid the challenges of wartime interruptions and the formation of the , demonstrating her technical precision and mental resilience. After 1960, her results declined due to advancing age—she was in her mid-40s—and lingering effects from earlier injuries, including a severe knee from a 1941 car accident, though she still posted top-five finishes in several majors through 1962. A notable highlight came in 1959 at the U.S. Women's Open, where Berg achieved the first hole-in-one by a in a USGA major championship.

Awards and honors

Individual awards

Throughout her career, Patty Berg received numerous individual awards recognizing her exceptional performance and contributions to . She was the leading money winner on the LPGA Tour in 1954, 1955, and 1957, topping the earnings list during those seasons. Berg also earned the Vare Trophy for the lowest scoring average three times, in 1953, 1955, and 1956, highlighting her consistency and precision on the course. Berg's achievements garnered broader athletic recognition as well. As an amateur, she was named the Female Athlete of the Year in 1938 following a dominant season that included multiple national titles. She received the honor again in 1943 while serving in the Corps Women's Reserve during , and once more in 1955 for her professional successes. In 1959, Berg was awarded the William D. Richardson Award by the Golf Writers Association of America for her outstanding contributions to the sport. Later in her career, Berg's sportsmanship and dedication were honored with the Bob Jones Award in 1963, the United States Golf Association's highest accolade for exemplary character and respect for the game. In 1978, the LPGA established the Patty Berg Award in her name to annually recognize individuals who exemplify diplomacy, , goodwill, and contributions to women's .

Hall of Fame inductions

Patty Berg was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1951 as one of its four inaugural members, recognizing her foundational role in establishing the organization and her competitive achievements. She joined the Sports Hall of Fame in 1958, honoring her contributions to in her home state where she began her career. In 1974, Berg became a charter member of the , part of its first class of inductees that celebrated pioneers of the sport. She was inducted into the PGA of America Hall of Fame in 1978, becoming one of the few women recognized by the organization for her impact on professional . The following year, in 1980, she entered the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame, acknowledging her trailblazing efforts in advancing women's athletics. Berg's multiple inductions underscore her status as a pioneer who amassed 60 LPGA Tour victories and helped shape women's professional golf. In 1986, she received the Old Tom Morris Award from the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America (GCSAA), the group's highest honor for lifetime contributions to the sport beyond the professional level.

Teaching career and legacy

Golf clinics and instruction

After retiring from competitive play on the LPGA Tour in 1962, Patty Berg shifted her focus to full-time teaching and instructional programs, dedicating the remainder of her career to promoting golf's accessibility. She became instrumental in establishing the LPGA's "Teaching" division in the post-World War II era, which encouraged women to take up the sport and seek professional instruction. This effort aligned with her role as the LPGA's first president, which facilitated broader promotion of instructional initiatives. Berg conducted an estimated 16,000 clinics from the through the , introducing thousands of new players—particularly women and juniors—to the game. These sessions, known as the "Patty Berg Hit Parade," were sponsored by , her longtime partner since turning professional in 1940, and continued until her death in 2006. The program emphasized fundamental techniques such as grip, stance, wrist action, and short-game shots, delivered in an engaging, demonstrative style that included a variety of shots like high/low trajectories and draws/fades to make learning fun and inclusive for beginners at public courses. Through her partnership with Wilson, Berg not only endorsed their equipment but also used clinics to promote affordability and participation, often performing exhibitions that highlighted practical skills for everyday players. Her instructional approach, refined through early mentorship with professionals like , stressed consistent practice on core elements to build confidence among women and young participants, fostering golf's growth as a welcoming . Berg also authored several instructional books, including (1948) and Inside Golf for Women (1965), to further share her expertise.

Impact on women's golf

Patty Berg played a pioneering role in legitimizing professional women's golf by co-founding the in 1950 and serving as its first president from 1950 to 1952, establishing a structured tour that provided women with sustainable career opportunities previously unavailable in a male-dominated . Her record of 15 major championships, including the inaugural in 1946, set a benchmark for excellence and demonstrated the viability of women's professional competition, inspiring future generations to pursue the at the highest levels. This foundational work helped transform women's golf from sporadic exhibitions into a recognized professional entity. Berg advocated for gender equity by securing one of the first equipment sponsorships for a female professional with and guiding other women pros through similar endorsement processes, which improved financial stability and access to resources like quality equipment. She also mentored emerging talents, such as Hall of Famers and Carol Mann, emphasizing punctuality, professionalism, and skill development during joint appearances, thereby fostering a supportive network for successors in the tour. Through these efforts, Berg contributed to gradual improvements in and conditions, as evidenced by her own status as the 's leading money winner in 1954, 1955, and 1957—the first woman to exceed $16,000 in annual earnings. Berg's cultural impact extended beyond the course as a media ambassador, conducting over 16,000 clinics worldwide that popularized women's through engaging demonstrations and her charismatic personality, often highlighted by humorous hats and corny jokes to draw in audiences. A notable milestone was her achievement as the first woman to record a hole-in-one in a USGA-sanctioned event, during the 1959 at Churchill Valley Country Club, which garnered significant media attention and underscored women's prowess in major competitions. Her long-term legacy is evident in the LPGA's evolution into the world's longest-running league, marking its 75th anniversary in 2025 with global reach and substantial growth in participation and viewership, all rooted in the professional framework she helped build. Berg's clinics, referenced briefly as a key tool for broadening access, continue to influence instructional programs that promote inclusivity in the sport. She was inducted into the LPGA Teaching and Club Professionals Hall of Fame in 1993 in recognition of her teaching contributions. No major posthumous developments have altered her foundational contributions as of 2025.

Personal life and death

Later years and health

After retiring from competitive play on the LPGA Tour in 1962, Patty Berg relocated to Florida in the 1960s, where she established a residence in Fort Myers and continued to promote the sport through various activities. She never married and had no children, but maintained close ties with extended family, including surviving nieces and nephews at the time of her death. Berg had attended the in the late 1930s to study business but left without earning a degree after turning professional in 1940. During her time there, she was an active member of the sorority, participating in campus life alongside her early golf pursuits. Throughout her post-retirement decades, Berg remained deeply involved in instruction, conducting clinics well into the , including annual appearances at the U.S. Women's Open where she hosted exhibitions like the revived "Patty Berg Swing Parade" in 1995. In 2004, Berg disclosed that she had been diagnosed with the early stages of , which led to a reduction in her public appearances over the following years. Despite the progression of her condition, she maintained strong ties to the community, regularly attending tournaments and never missing a induction ceremony.

Death and tributes

Patty Berg died on September 10, 2006, at a in Fort Myers, Florida, at the age of 88, from complications of . A funeral service was held on September 16, 2006, at the Church of the Resurrection in Fort Myers, followed by interment at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens. The LPGA community expressed profound grief, with her family requesting donations to the Foundation in her memory rather than flowers, underscoring her lasting ties to the organization she helped found. Following her death, the issued statements and gathered tributes from players and officials, celebrating Berg's pioneering spirit and ambassadorship for women's . Commissioner Carolyn Bivens described her as "the heart and soul of the ," while players like called her "the greatest ambassador the has ever had." Among her notable late-career honors, Berg served as honorary chairperson for the 2002 at Interlachen Country Club in , her home course. No major new posthumous honors have been awarded to Berg since 2006.

References

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