Photo: Sam Greenwood/Getty
Shirley Spork, a founding member of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA), died on Tuesday at the age of 94 in Palm Springs, California.
The LPGAannouncedSpork’s death but did not cite a cause.
According to her LPGA bio, Spork graduated from Michigan State Normal College, which is now known as Eastern Michigan University, in 1949. During her time at the university,Spork wonthe first National Intercollegiate Golf Championship for women, theNew York Timessaid.
In 1950, Spork and 12 other female golfers founded theLPGATour. At first, the women struggled to build interest in their tournaments, which presented financial and logistical problems. Spork, along with her co-founders — who includedBetty Jameson,Louise Suggs, andMarilynn Smith, among others — traveled the country to tournaments in their own cars.
She also helped found the LPGA’s teaching division in 1959 and was later co-chairman of the LPGA National Golf Schools for Women.
Spork’s list of accomplishments also include a second-place finish at the 1962 LPGA Championship and LPGA Teacher of the Year awards in 1959 and 1984, according to her bio. In 2015, Spork was therecipient of the Patty Berg Award, which recognizes an individual for outstanding contributions to women’s golf.
This year, the LPGA announced that Spork would be inducted into the LPGA Hall of Fame, just two weeks before her death. “It’s a great honor,” SporktoldGolfweekin March. “I feel I’m very deserving of it, having developed the (LPGA) teaching division from 0 to 1,700 people.”
Spork resided in Palm Springs and never married or had children. She remained a prominent mentor for young female golfers, still givinglessonsinto her 90s, according toGolfweek.
Schwartz and Spork remained close until the end of her life. “Just a few days ago, Shirley called to tell me how she started physical therapy and was getting ready for the Cognizant Founders Cup, where we were going to celebrate her 95th birthday.,” said Schwartz.
She added, “My heart is so heavy knowing we won’t get that celebration, but I feel so blessed for all the moments that we were able to share together.”
source: people.com
