Debbie Austin
Debbie Austin (born February 1, 1948) is an American professional golfer.
| Debbie Austin | |
|---|---|
| Personal information | |
| Born | February 1, 1948 Oneida, New York |
| Height | 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m) |
| Nationality |  United States |
| Residence | Orlando, Florida |
| Career | |
| College | Rollins College |
| Status | Professional |
| Former tour(s) | LPGA Tour (1968–87) |
| Professional wins | 8 |
| Number of wins by tour | |
| LPGA Tour | 7 |
| Other | 1 |
| Best results in LPGA major championships | |
| Titleholders C'ship | T17: 1972 |
| ANA Inspiration | T38: 1984 |
| Women's PGA C'ship | 7th: 1973 |
| U.S. Women's Open | 8th: 1975 |
| du Maurier Classic | T17: 1981 |
Austin was born in Oneida, New York. She first played on the LPGA Tour in 1968 and went on to win seven tournaments, including five in 1977 when she tied with Judy Rankin for most on tour. She was named Player of the Year in 1977 by Golf Magazine.[1]
She won the Wills Qantas Australian Ladies Open in 1978. A recurring tendonitis problem plagued her during 1979 and 1980, but she returned to winning form in 1981 by winning the Mayflower Classic. With that victory, she established the tradition of the winner taking a plunge into the pool with General Chairman John B. Smith.
She has held a variety of positions since the end of her tour career, including a stint as a coach for the Rollins College ladies' golf team in Winter Park, Florida. She spent several years associated with Westchester Country Club in New York. She resides in Orlando, Florida and is the former head coach of the Bishop Moore Catholic High School girls' golf team. She is now retired but plays regularly at her home course, Orange Tree Golf Club.
The junior tees at Westchester Country Club are named after her.[2]
Professional wins (8)
LPGA Tour wins (7)
| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | Margin of victory | Runner(s)-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 1, 1977 | Birmingham Classic | −9 (68-69-70=207) | 1 stroke | Debbie Massey |
| 2 | Jun 26, 1977 | Hoosier Classic | −9 (70-70-67=207) | 2 strokes | Judy Rankin.svg.png.webp){kind=small} Jan Stephenson |
| 3 | Jul 31, 1977 | Pocono Northeast Classic | −6 (71-73-69=213) | 1 stroke | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} Sandra Post |
| 4 | Aug 14, 1977 | Long Island Charity Classic | −9 (73-69-66-71=279) | 2 stroke | Nancy Lopez Kathy Whitworth |
| 5 | Aug 21, 1977 | Wheeling Classic | −7 (67-72-70=209) | 1 stroke | Hollis Stacy |
| 6 | Feb 12, 1978 | American Cancer Society Classic | −4 (68-72-72=212) | 1 stroke | Beth Solomon Nayoko Yoshikawa |
| 7 | Jul 12, 1981 | Mayflower Classic | −9 (68-69-68-74=279) | 4 strokes | Myra Blackwelder Hollis Stacy |
Other wins (1)
References
- "Debbie Austin bio". LPGA. Retrieved July 2, 2017.
- "Debbie Austin fits WCC honor to a tee". Lohud Golf Blog. September 5, 2012.