News Summary
Jo Ann Prentice, a significant figure in women’s golf and a pioneer of the LPGA, has died at the age of 92. She joined the LPGA Tour in 1956 and had a distinguished 24-year career, earning six victories and leaving a lasting legacy that advanced women’s opportunities in golf. Prentice also contributed to the golf community through various business ventures and was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1991. Her passing is a profound loss for the sport and future generations of female golfers.
Birmingham, Alabama – Jo Ann Prentice, a prominent figure in women’s golf and a pioneer of the LPGA, has died at the age of 92. Her passing was confirmed by the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame and the LPGA, although the specific date of her death, which occurred on a Sunday, was not disclosed.
Prentice joined the LPGA Tour in 1956, during its seventh season, and went on to have a remarkable career spanning 24 years as a full-time touring professional. Throughout her career, she achieved six victories on the LPGA Tour, leaving a lasting legacy in women’s golf.
LPGA interim commissioner Liz Moore acknowledged Prentice’s significant contributions to the sport, highlighting her excellence as a player, teacher, entrepreneur, and friend. Prentice’s impact on golf extended beyond her personal accomplishments, as she played a vital role in advancing opportunities for women in the sport.
Among her notable achievements, Prentice won the Corpus Christi Civitan Open in 1972, which featured a dramatic 10-hole playoff against prominent competitors Sandra Palmer and Kathy Whitworth. This victory was significant not only for its competitive intensity but also because it represented the largest winner’s check in LPGA Tour history at the time.
In 1974, she won the prestigious Colgate-Dinah Shore Winner’s Circle in Palm Springs, California, earning a prize of $32,000 after battling through another intense playoff against Jane Blalock and Sandra Haynie. Prentice’s tournament victories also included the All State Ladies’ Invitational in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1965, the Dallas Civitan Open in 1967, the Burdine’s Invitational in Doral, Florida, in 1973, and the American Defender-Raleigh Class in 1974.
In addition to her tournament wins, Prentice had a strong showing in major championships. In 1962, she finished as runner-up in the U.S. Women’s Open, narrowly missing the title against Murle Lindstrom. Her performance in these major events contributed to her reputation as one of the top competitors of her era.
Prentice was instrumental in establishing the Birmingham Classic, which was held at the Green Valley Country Club from 1972 until 1982. This tournament helped showcase women’s golf in Birmingham and provided an important platform for female golfers.
Outside of her playing career, Prentice made contributions to the golf community through business ventures. In 1971, she purchased Tuckaway Country Club in Oneonta and successfully operated it until her relocation to Arizona. Her entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to the growth of golf for women helped inspire future generations of players.
In recognition of her achievements on and off the golf course, Prentice was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1991, making her the third woman to receive this honor, following Leah Atkins and Jennifer Chandler. This accolade underscored her influence and the trail she blazed for women in sports.
Jo Ann Prentice’s passing marks the loss of a true pioneer in women’s golf. Her legacy will continue to inspire aspiring golfers, and her contributions to the LPGA and the sport will not be forgotten.
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Additional Resources
- LPGA News
- Wikipedia: Jo Ann Prentice
- AL.com
- Google Search: Jo Ann Prentice
- LPGA Tags
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Jo Ann Prentice
