Marilynn Smith had no intention of ever playing golf, let alone setting up one of its largest tournaments.
In fact, she actively avoided it while growing up in Wichita, Kansas – branding it a “sissy sport” and preferring to pitch baseballs with the boys.
But at 11 years old, after using a choice four-letter word in front of her parents and having her mouth washed out with soap, it was decided she should take up a more ladylike endeavour and tee-off at the links.
Smith’s father had promised her a new bike if she was able to sink nine holes within 40 shots.
She reached her goal within three years but did not stop there, regularly trouncing opponents at state-level competitions.
At 20 years old, the “Blonde Bomber” turned pro and was flooded with lucrative sponsorship offers from golf equipment manufacturers.
Her influence on the sport continued the following year when she founded the Ladies Professional Golf Association with 12 other professionals.
Smith achieved her first win in one of the body’s competitions at the 1954 Fort Wayne Open, and followed it up with 22 others throughout her career.
Her list of achievements included taking home two major championships and becoming the first LPGA player to record a double eagle.
As a spokeswoman for the LPGA, Smith regularly toured the country luring in sponsors and drawing in crowds. She also served as its president between 1958 and 1960.
She continued to make history and in 1973 became the first woman to work as a television broadcaster during a men’s tournament.
In 2006, Smith was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame for her achievements and dedication to the sport.
Smith died on Tuesday aged 89, but was heavily involved in golf right up until then.
Her last public appearance was at the Bank of Hope Founders Cup tournament in Arizona on March 24, where she greeted players as they left the 18th hole.
Shirley Spork, one of the two surviving LPGA founders, said: “She worked so diligently, out selling the tour to sponsors.
“When we travelled, we drove and we’d pull into a gas station and Marilynn would start chatting up a young person there and she’d say: ‘You need new shoes’, and end up giving away more money than we paid for the gas.”
LGPA commissioner Mike Whan added: “Marilynn was my founder, my North Star and, most importantly, my friend.
“In her life she broke barriers, shattered stereotypes and made others ‘believe’.
“I’ll miss her weekly handwritten cards, her daily calls to my office and her love for every LPGA teacher, tour player and staff member.”
He added: “Quite simply, Marilynn left this world better than she found it — and set a standard that will guide us forever.”
