Helen Hicks
Encyclopedia
Helen L. Hicks was an American professional golfer
and one of 13 founders of the LPGA
in 1950.
Hicks was born in Cedarhurst, New York
. She had a successful amateur career, reaching the finals of the U.S. Women's Amateur twice. She beat Glenna Collett Vare in 1931 and lost to Virginia Van Wie
in 1933. She won several other amateur tournaments and played on the first U.S. Curtis Cup
team in 1932.
In 1934, Hicks became one of the first women to turned professional; signing with the Wilson Sporting Goods Company to promote their golf equipment.
Hicks won two tournaments as a professional that are now considered LPGA major championships
: the 1937 Women's Western Open and the 1940 Titleholders Championship
. From 1938 to 1948, she competed as Helen Hicks Harb after marrying Whitney Harb.
In 1950, Hicks was one of 13 women that founded the LPGA
.
Hicks died of throat cancer in 1974.
Hicks is sometimes confused with contemporary Betty Hicks who won the 1941 U.S. Women's Amateur.
Professional golfer
In golf the distinction between amateurs and professionals is rigorously maintained. An amateur who breaches the rules of amateur status may lose his or her amateur status. A golfer who has lost his or her amateur status may not play in amateur competitions until amateur status has been reinstated;...
and one of 13 founders of the LPGA
LPGA
The LPGA, in full the Ladies Professional Golf Association, is an American organization for female professional golfers. The organization, whose headquarters is in Daytona Beach, Florida, is best known for running the LPGA Tour, a series of weekly golf tournaments for elite female golfers from...
in 1950.
Hicks was born in Cedarhurst, New York
Cedarhurst, New York
Cedarhurst is a village in Nassau County, on the South Shore of Long Island, New York, in the USA. The population was 6,592 at the 2010 United States Census. The village is named after a grove of trees that once stood at the post office....
. She had a successful amateur career, reaching the finals of the U.S. Women's Amateur twice. She beat Glenna Collett Vare in 1931 and lost to Virginia Van Wie
Virginia Van Wie
Virginia Van Wie was an American amateur golfer, best known for winning three U.S. Women's Amateurs, 1932-34. The Illinois-born golfer 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...
in 1933. She won several other amateur tournaments and played on the first U.S. Curtis Cup
Curtis Cup
The Curtis Cup is the best known team trophy for women amateur golfers, awarded in the biennial Curtis Cup Match . It is co-organised by the United States Golf Association and the Ladies Golf Union and is contested by teams representing the United States and "Great Britain and Ireland"...
team in 1932.
In 1934, Hicks became one of the first women to turned professional; signing with the Wilson Sporting Goods Company to promote their golf equipment.
Hicks won two tournaments as a professional that are now considered LPGA major championships
Women's major golf championships
Women's golf has a set of major championships which parallels that in men's golf, but the women's system is younger and has been less stable than the men's. Many professional stroke play events for women are played over three rounds , but the majors are played over four rounds , which is the...
: the 1937 Women's Western Open and the 1940 Titleholders Championship
Titleholders Championship
The Titleholders Championship was a women's golf tournament played from in 1937 to 1966 and again in 1972. It was later designated a major championship by the LPGA Tour.It should not be confused with two other LPGA events with similar names:...
. From 1938 to 1948, she competed as Helen Hicks Harb after marrying Whitney Harb.
In 1950, Hicks was one of 13 women that founded the LPGA
LPGA
The LPGA, in full the Ladies Professional Golf Association, is an American organization for female professional golfers. The organization, whose headquarters is in Daytona Beach, Florida, is best known for running the LPGA Tour, a series of weekly golf tournaments for elite female golfers from...
.
Hicks died of throat cancer in 1974.
Hicks is sometimes confused with contemporary Betty Hicks who won the 1941 U.S. Women's Amateur.
Tournament wins
this list is incomplete- 1929 Canadian Women's AmateurCanadian Women's AmateurThe Canadian Women's Amateur is Canada's annual national amateur golf tournament for women. It is open to women from all countries and is played at a different course each year.-Winners:*2011 Rebecca Lee-Bentham*2010 Sydnee Michaels*2009 Jennifer Kirby...
- 1930 New York State Women’s Amateur
- 1931 U.S. Women's Amateur, Metropolitan Women's Amateur, Women's Eastern Championship, New York State Women’s Amateur
- 1933 Metropolitan Women's Amateur, New York State Women’s Amateur
- 1937 Women's Western Open
- 1940 Titleholders ChampionshipTitleholders ChampionshipThe Titleholders Championship was a women's golf tournament played from in 1937 to 1966 and again in 1972. It was later designated a major championship by the LPGA Tour.It should not be confused with two other LPGA events with similar names:...
Wins (2)
| Year | Championship | Winning Score | Margin | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1937 1937 Women's Western Open The 1937 Women's Western Open was a golf competition held at Beverly Country Club, which was the 8th edition of the event. Helen Hicks won the championship in match play competition by defeating Bea Barrett in the final match, 6 and 5.... |
Women's Western Open | 6 & 5 |  Bea BarrettBea Barrett Beatrice Emma "Bea" Altmeyer was an American amateur golfer.Barrett was born in Chicago, Illinois. In 1938, she won the Women's Western Open, now considered an LPGA major championship... (a) |
|
| 1940 1940 Titleholders Championship The 1940 Titleholders Championship was contested from January 16-19 at Augusta Country Club. It was the 4th edition of the Titleholders Championship.This event was won by Helen Hicks.-Final leaderboard:Source... |
Titleholders Championship Titleholders Championship The Titleholders Championship was a women's golf tournament played from in 1937 to 1966 and again in 1972. It was later designated a major championship by the LPGA Tour.It should not be confused with two other LPGA events with similar names:... |
1 stroke | Helen Dettweiler Helen Dettweiler Helen Dettweiler was an American professional golfer. She won the Women's Western Open in 1939.She was one of the 13 founders of the Ladies Professional Golf Association in 1950.-Wins :-References:... |
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