Mary Lena Faulk
Encyclopedia
Mary Lena Faulk was an American
professional golf
er.
Faulk was born in Chipley, Florida
but at the age of 14 moved to Thomasville, Georgia
where she won three consecutive Georgia Women's Amateur Matchplay Championships from 1946 to 1948.
In 1953, Faulk won the U.S. Women's Amateur
. In 1954 she was beaten in the semi-finals by Mickey Wright
. That year she was a member of the U.S. team that defeated Great Britain
to win the Curtis Cup
and in Georgia, she won the state's 1954 Medal Play Championship.
Faulk turned professional in 1955 and in her rookie year on the LPGA Tour
finished second at the U.S. Women's Open. She retired from the pro tour in 1965 having won 10 tournaments including the Women's Western Open which was then one of the women's major golf championships
. She taught golf for many years at clubs in Georgia and Colorado Springs, Colorado
.
In 1993, Faulk was inducted into the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame. She was living in Delray Beach, Florida
when she died in 1995.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
er.
Faulk was born in Chipley, Florida
Chipley, Florida
Chipley is a city in Washington County, Florida, United States. Its population was 3,592 at the time of the 2000 U.S. Census. According to the United States Census Bureau estimates of 2005, the city had a population of about 3,682...
but at the age of 14 moved to Thomasville, Georgia
Thomasville, Georgia
Thomasville is the county seat of Thomas County, Georgia, United States. The city is the second largest in Southwest Georgia after Albany.The city deems itself the City of Roses and holds an annual Rose Festival. The town features plantations open to the public, a historic downtown, a large...
where she won three consecutive Georgia Women's Amateur Matchplay Championships from 1946 to 1948.
In 1953, Faulk won the U.S. Women's Amateur
United States Women's Amateur Golf Championship
The U.S. Women's Amateur is the leading golf tournament in the United States for female amateur golfers. It is played annually and is one of the 13 United States national golf championships organized by the United States Golf Association . Female amateurs from all nations are eligible to compete...
. In 1954 she was beaten in the semi-finals by Mickey Wright
Mickey Wright
Mary Kathryn "Mickey" Wright is an American professional golfer. She is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.-Early life:...
. That year she was a member of the U.S. team that defeated Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
to win the Curtis Cup
Curtis Cup
The Curtis Cup is the best known team trophy for women amateur golfers, awarded in the biennial Curtis Cup Match . It is co-organised by the United States Golf Association and the Ladies Golf Union and is contested by teams representing the United States and "Great Britain and Ireland"...
and in Georgia, she won the state's 1954 Medal Play Championship.
Faulk turned professional in 1955 and in her rookie year on the LPGA Tour
LPGA
The LPGA, in full the Ladies Professional Golf Association, is an American organization for female professional golfers. The organization, whose headquarters is in Daytona Beach, Florida, is best known for running the LPGA Tour, a series of weekly golf tournaments for elite female golfers from...
finished second at the U.S. Women's Open. She retired from the pro tour in 1965 having won 10 tournaments including the Women's Western Open which was then one of the women's major golf championships
Women's major golf championships
Women's golf has a set of major championships which parallels that in men's golf, but the women's system is younger and has been less stable than the men's. Many professional stroke play events for women are played over three rounds , but the majors are played over four rounds , which is the...
. She taught golf for many years at clubs in Georgia and Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and most populous city of El Paso County, Colorado, United States. Colorado Springs is located in South-Central Colorado, in the southern portion of the state. It is situated on Fountain Creek and is located south of the Colorado...
.
In 1993, Faulk was inducted into the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame. She was living in Delray Beach, Florida
Delray Beach, Florida
Delray Beach is a city in Palm Beach County, Florida, USA. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 60,020. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S...
when she died in 1995.
LPGA Tour wins (10)
- 19561956 LPGA TourThe 1956 LPGA Tour was the seventh season since the LPGA Tour officially began in 1950. The season ran from January 14 to October 21. The season consisted of 25 official money events. Marlene Hagge won the most tournaments, eight. She also led the money list with earnings of $20,235.The season saw...
(1) Kansas City OpenHeart of America InvitationalThe Heart of America Invitational was a golf tournament on the LPGA Tour from 1955 to 1962. It was played in Kansas City, Missouri area.-Tournament locations:-Winners:Heart of America Invitational*1962 Mickey WrightKansas City Open*1961 Louise Suggs... - 19571957 LPGA TourThe 1957 LPGA Tour was the eighth season since the LPGA Tour officially began in 1950. The season ran from January 11 to October 21. The season consisted of 25 official money events. Patty Berg and Betsy Rawls won the most tournaments, five each...
(1) St. Petersburg OpenSt. Petersburg Women's OpenThe St. Petersburg Women's Open was a golf tournament on the LPGA Tour from 1954 to 1989. It was played at three different courses in the St. Petersburg, Florida area.... - 19581958 LPGA TourThe 1958 LPGA Tour was the ninth season since the LPGA Tour officially began in 1950. The season ran from January 10 to September 14. The season consisted of 24 official money events. Mickey Wright won the most tournaments, five...
(1) Macktown Open - 19611961 LPGA TourThe 1961 LPGA Tour was the 12th season since the LPGA Tour officially began in 1950. The season ran from February 9 to October 22. The season consisted of 24 official money events. Mickey Wright won the most tournaments, 10...
(4) Babe Zaharias OpenBabe Zaharias OpenThe Babe Zaharias Open was a golf tournament on the LPGA Tour from 1953 to 1967. It was played at in Beaumont, Texas at the Beaumont Country Club from 1953 to 1964 and at the Bayou Din Golf Club from 1965 to 1967. Babe Zaharias, LPGA co-founder and Beaumont resident, hosted the tournament until her...
, Women's Western Open, Triangle Round RobinTriangle Round RobinThe Triangle Round Robin was a golf tournament on the LPGA Tour from 1953 to 1962. It was played at several different courses on the East Coast of the United States....
, Eastern OpenEastern Women's OpenThe Eastern Women's Open was a golf tournament on the LPGA Tour from 1949 to 1961. It was played at four different courses in New Jersey, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.-Tournament locations:-Winners:Eastern Open*1961 Mary Lena Faulk*1960 Mickey Wright... - 19621962 LPGA TourThe 1962 LPGA Tour was the 13th season since the LPGA Tour officially began in 1950. The season ran from January 19 to November 4. The season consisted of 29 official money events. Mickey Wright won the most tournaments, 10. She also led the money list with earnings of $21,641...
(2) Peach Blossom OpenPeach Blossom OpenThe Peach Blossom Open was a golf tournament on the LPGA Tour from 1953 to 1966. It was played at the Spartanburg Country Club in Spartanburg, South Carolina...
, Visalia OpenVisalia OpenThe Visalia Open was a golf tournament on the LPGA Tour from 1962 to 1965. It was played at the Visalia Country Club in Visalia, California.-Winners:Visalia Open*1965 Clifford Ann CreedVisalia Ladies' Open*1964 Mickey Wright*1963 Mickey Wright... - 19641964 LPGA TourThe 1964 LPGA Tour was the 15th season since the LPGA Tour officially began in 1950. The season ran from March 19 to November 22. The season consisted of 32 official money events. Mickey Wright won the most tournaments, 11...
(1) St. Petersburg Women's Open Invitational
Other wins (3)
- 1951 Hardscrabble OpenHardscrabble OpenThe Hardscrabble Open, also known as the Hardscrabble Women's Invitation, was a golf tournament played at the Hardscrabble Golf Club in Fort Smith, Arkansas from 1945 to 1953...
- 1955 Virginia Hot Springs 4-Ball (with Betty JamesonBetty JamesonElizabeth May "Betty" Jameson was an American professional golfer and one of the founders of the LPGA.-Biography:...
) - 1958 Homestead 4-Ball (with Betty JamesonBetty JamesonElizabeth May "Betty" Jameson was an American professional golfer and one of the founders of the LPGA.-Biography:...
)
Wins (1)
| Year | Championship | Winning Score | Margin | Runner-up |
|---|---|
| 1961 1961 Women's Western Open The 1961 Women's Western Open was contested from June 1-4 at Belle Meade Country Club. It was the 32nd edition of the Women's Western Open.This event was won by Mary Lena Faulk.-Final leaderboard:-External links:**... |
Women's Western Open |
| 6 strokes |  Betsy RawlsBetsy Rawls Elizabeth Earle "Betsy" Rawls is an American professional golfer.Rawls was born in Spartanburg, South Carolina. After attending the University of Texas, Rawls joined the LPGA Tour in its second season in 1951. She won 55 tournaments on the tour, including eight major championships... |
See also
- Golfers with most LPGA Tour winsGolfers with most LPGA Tour winsThis table lists players with 10 or more wins on the LPGA Tour. It is based on the list on the LPGA Tour's official site, which differs slightly from the main win lists on player's personal profiles on the site...