Virginia Van Wie (February 9, 1909 – February 18, 1997) was an American amateur golfer, best known for winning three U.S. Women's Amateurs, 1932–34. The Illinois-born golfer[1] was the daughter of wealthy parents and learned the game at the Beverly Country Club, and during the summers she would go with her parents to summer homes in Michigan and Florida and compete with the best. Van Wie was a student of golf instructor Ernest Jones.
While at the age of 16 and still attending Lindblom High School in Chicago—in 1925 when the school did not have a golf team—Van Wie first emerged as an extraordinary golfer. In the summer that year, the newspapers first noticed Van Wie when she won the Western Michigan championship and then won the Western Junior championship, and upset several top golfers in other tournaments.
Golf careerEdit
In 1926, Van Wie beat the national champion, Glenna Collett, for the East Coast Florida championship and began a string of three Chicago District golf titles. At the 1928 and 1930 U.S. Women's Amateurs, Van Wie lost in the finals to Glenna Collett. In the 1929 event, she tied for the medal for lowest score in the qualifying rounds.
U.S. Women's AmateurEdit
Van Wie broke through to national fame in 1932, when she beat Collett for the first of her three consecutive national amateur titles. After winning her final championship in 1934, and based on her performance for the entire year, she earned the 1934 Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year[2] and was proclaimed the "world's greatest female golfer."
Curtis CupEdit
Van Wie was a member of the American team that won the first Curtis Cup[3] played at the Wentworth Golf Club in England in 1932 and was part of the team that won it again in 1934.
Later lifeEdit
Van Wie retired in 1935 without defending her national title, and then taught golf in the Chicago area for more than thirty years.
Death and legacyEdit
Van Wie died on February 18, 1997, aged 88, at her home in Big Rapids, Michigan.[4] In 1950, she was inducted into the Women's Golf Hall of Fame.
Team appearancesEdit
Amateur
Curtis Cup (representing the United States): 1932 (winners), 1934 (winners)
ReferencesEdit
^"Virginia Van Wie". Illinois Golf Hall of Fame. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
^"AP Female Athlete of the Year". Associated Press. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
^"USGA Curtis Cup Results; 1932-Present". United States Golf Association. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
^Heise, Kenan (February 22, 1997). "Virginia Van Wie; Won 3 Amateur Golf Titles". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 19, 2018.
October 21, 2023
virginia, february, 1909, february, 1997, american, amateur, golfer, best, known, winning, three, women, amateurs, 1932, illinois, born, golfer, daughter, wealthy, parents, learned, game, beverly, country, club, during, summers, would, with, parents, summer, h. Virginia Van Wie February 9 1909 February 18 1997 was an American amateur golfer best known for winning three U S Women s Amateurs 1932 34 The Illinois born golfer 1 was the daughter of wealthy parents and learned the game at the Beverly Country Club and during the summers she would go with her parents to summer homes in Michigan and Florida and compete with the best Van Wie was a student of golf instructor Ernest Jones Contents 1 Early life 2 Golf career 2 1 U S Women s Amateur 2 2 Curtis Cup 3 Later life 4 Death and legacy 5 Team appearances 6 ReferencesEarly life EditWhile at the age of 16 and still attending Lindblom High School in Chicago in 1925 when the school did not have a golf team Van Wie first emerged as an extraordinary golfer In the summer that year the newspapers first noticed Van Wie when she won the Western Michigan championship and then won the Western Junior championship and upset several top golfers in other tournaments Golf career EditIn 1926 Van Wie beat the national champion Glenna Collett for the East Coast Florida championship and began a string of three Chicago District golf titles At the 1928 and 1930 U S Women s Amateurs Van Wie lost in the finals to Glenna Collett In the 1929 event she tied for the medal for lowest score in the qualifying rounds U S Women s Amateur Edit Van Wie broke through to national fame in 1932 when she beat Collett for the first of her three consecutive national amateur titles After winning her final championship in 1934 and based on her performance for the entire year she earned the 1934 Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year 2 and was proclaimed the world s greatest female golfer Curtis Cup Edit Van Wie was a member of the American team that won the first Curtis Cup 3 played at the Wentworth Golf Club in England in 1932 and was part of the team that won it again in 1934 Later life EditVan Wie retired in 1935 without defending her national title and then taught golf in the Chicago area for more than thirty years Death and legacy EditVan Wie died on February 18 1997 aged 88 at her home in Big Rapids Michigan 4 In 1950 she was inducted into the Women s Golf Hall of Fame Team appearances EditAmateur Curtis Cup representing the United States 1932 winners 1934 winners References Edit Virginia Van Wie Illinois Golf Hall of Fame Retrieved October 19 2018 AP Female Athlete of the Year Associated Press Retrieved October 19 2018 USGA Curtis Cup Results 1932 Present United States Golf Association Retrieved October 19 2018 Heise Kenan February 22 1997 Virginia Van Wie Won 3 Amateur Golf Titles Chicago Tribune Retrieved October 19 2018 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Virginia Van Wie amp oldid 1176759596, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
