Ruth Jessen
Encyclopedia
Mary Ruth Jessen was an American professional golfer
who played on the LPGA Tour
.
Jessen was born in Seattle, Washington
. She briefly played on the men's golf team at Seattle University
.
Jessen turned professional in 1956. She won 11 times on the LPGA Tour between 1959 and 1971.
Jessen suffered from several health issues throughout her career and won the 1971 Ben Hogan Award after returning from elbow surgery. She was also known for her unusually wide putting stance.
Jessen died in Phoenix, Arizona
of lung cancer
.
Professional golfer
In golf the distinction between amateurs and professionals is rigorously maintained. An amateur who breaches the rules of amateur status may lose his or her amateur status. A golfer who has lost his or her amateur status may not play in amateur competitions until amateur status has been reinstated;...
who played 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...
.
Jessen was born in Seattle, Washington
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
. She briefly played on the men's golf team at Seattle University
Seattle University
Seattle University is a Jesuit Catholic university located in the First Hill neighborhood of Seattle, Washington, USA.SU is the largest independent university in the Northwest US, with over 7,500 students enrolled in undergraduate and graduate programs within eight schools, and is one of 28 member...
.
Jessen turned professional in 1956. She won 11 times on the LPGA Tour between 1959 and 1971.
Jessen suffered from several health issues throughout her career and won the 1971 Ben Hogan Award after returning from elbow surgery. She was also known for her unusually wide putting stance.
Jessen died in Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
of lung cancer
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. If left untreated, this growth can spread beyond the lung in a process called metastasis into nearby tissue and, eventually, into other parts of the body. Most cancers that start in lung, known as primary...
.
LPGA Tour wins (11)
- 19591959 LPGA TourThe 1959 LPGA Tour was the 10th season since the LPGA Tour officially began in 1950. The season ran from January 11 to September 26.The season consisted of 29 official money events. Betsy Rawls won the most tournaments, 10...
(1) Tampa OpenTampa Women's OpenThe Tampa Women's Open was a golf tournament on the LPGA Tour from 1947 to 1960. It was played at the Palma Ceia Golf & Country Club in Tampa, Florida. The 1950 event was the first official event on the LPGA Tour... - 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...
(1) 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... - 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) Dallas Civitan Open, Sacramento OpenSacramento OpenThe Sacramento Open was a golf tournament on the LPGA Tour, played intermittently from 1951 to 1962. It was played in Sacramento, California at three different courses: the Del Paso Country Club in 1951 and 1961, the Bing Maloney Golf Course in 1953, and at the Valley Hill Country Club in... - 19631963 LPGA TourThe 1963 LPGA Tour was the 14th season since the LPGA Tour officially began in 1950. The season ran from February 1 to November 17. The season consisted of 32 official money events. Mickey Wright won the most tournaments, 13...
(1) Cosmopolitan Women's Open - 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...
(5) Babe Zaharias Open Invitational, Yankee Women's OpenYankee Women's OpenThe Yankee Women's Open was a golf tournament on the LPGA Tour from 1964 to 1967. It was played in Grand Blanc, Michigan at the Atlas Valley Country Club from 1964 to 1966 and at the Willowood Country Club in 1967...
, Omaha Jaycee Open Invitational, Hillside House Ladies' Open, Phoenix Thunderbirds Ladies' Open - 19711971 LPGA TourThe 1971 LPGA Tour was the 22nd season since the LPGA Tour officially began in 1950. The season ran from February 18 to October 17. The season consisted of 20 official money events. Kathy Whitworth won the most tournaments, five. She also led the money list with earnings of $41,181.The season saw...
(1) Sears Women's World Classic
Other wins (2)
- 1963 Naples Professional
- 1965 Haig & Haig Scotch Foursome (with Gardner Dickinson)