We find host Jim Welch meeting with Betsy Rawls to talk about all things golf in this 1977 ETV Classic!
Elizabeth Earle "Betsy" Rawls was born May 4, 1928, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. She was a former American professional golfer, winning eight major championships and 55 LPGA Tour events in all. She was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1979.
After picking up golf in her senior year in high school, Betsy caught the competitive golfing bug after participating in, and losing, her first golf tournament. Spurred on by her drive to win, she took lessons from Harvey Penick, whom she credits with building her form over the years.
Betsy observed that the female golfers who participated in early championships were few in number but very close. There were not very many tournaments for women and the prize money was around $35,000 rather than the $200,000 amount presently. The gallery was nonexistent in those early days. The women who participated in the tournaments basically had to set up the course and do everything themselves. Over time, the opportunities for sponsorship had increased, allowing women to make a more lucrative career of professional golfing.
After Betsy retired from professional golfing, she became the executive director of the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golfing Association) and was responsible for organizing, setting up, and running tournaments worldwide.
We hear from Mickey Wright, Betsy Cullen, Judy Kimball and Patty Berg and learn about Betsy's accomplishments and her influence on their lives, as well as her devotion to the LPGA.
Side Notes:
- Betsy Rawls Obituary May 4, 1928 - Oct. 23, 2023
- In Memoriam: Betsy Rawls, 4-Time U.S. Women’s Open Champion
- UT Physics History Site - Elizabeth Earle "Betsy" Rawls
- Harvey Penick Golf Academy - Austin, Texas.
- Mary Kathryn "Mickey" Wright (February 14, 1935 – February 17, 2020) was an American professional golfer who played on the LPGA Tour. She became a member of the tour in 1955 and won 82 LPGA Tour career events including 13 major championships. She is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.
- Betsy Cullen
- Judy Kimball
- Patty Berg February 13, 1918 – September 10, 2006
- Archival footage courtesy of KERA of Dallas, Texas.
