Betty Jameson

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Betty Jameson, one of the 13 founding members of the LPGA Tour in 1950, died Saturday, the tour said. She was 89.

The tour did not give the cause of death.

"As a result of Betty's elegant ambition, generations of women have benefited from her dedication, vision and sacrifice," LPGA Tour commissioner Carolyn Bivens said.

"We are very sorry to lose her. At the same time, we celebrate her life and her remarkable spirit."

Born May 9, 1919, in Norman, Okla., Jameson won the 1932 Texas Publinx title at 13, took the Southern Championship at 15, and won consecutive U.S. Women's Amateur titles in 1939 and 1940. She won the 1942 Western Open for the first of her three major titles, and completed her amateur career with 14 victories.

Jamesoon turned professional in 1945, won the U.S. Women's Open in 1947, and took the Women's Western Open in 1954. She finished her LPGA Tour career with 13 victories.

Jameson was inducted to the Hall of Fame of Women's Golf in 1951, and became one of six inaugural members of the LPGA Tour Hall of Fame in 1967 — the LPGA Hall of Fame chose to recognize 1951 as the retroactive date of her induction.

She also was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame, Women's Sports Foundation Hall of Fame, and was recognized during the LPGA's 50th Anniversary in 2000 as one of the LPGA's top 50 players and teachers.

Jameson and the 12 other LPGA Founders were honored in 2000 with the Commissioner's Award in recognition of their role in furthering the cause of women's golf.


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