Despite the name, the U.S. Senior Women’s Open is not your grandmother’s game. Meet a handful of the badass players who everyone will be watching when the national tournament begins next week.
Dame Laura Davies
Yes, we said dame. One of the most awarded professional golfers of all time, Davies has amassed 87 professional wins. In 2015, she was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Laura Davies’ wins include the 1994 and 1996 Women’s PGA Championships, the 1987 U.S. Women’s Open, and the 1996 du Maurier Classic. In 2018, she won the inaugural U.S. Senior Women’s Open and the Senior LPGA Championship.
Davies became the first non-American to finish at the top of the LPGA money list and won the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit a record seven times: in 1985, 1986, 1992, 1996, 1999, 2004 and 2006. In 1994, she was the first golfer to win in five different golf tours in one calendar year: US, Europe, Asia, Japan and Australia, and became the first European player to be ranked unofficial number one in the world. She was named the Sports Journalists’ Association Sportswoman of the Year 1995 and 1996.
Davies was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1988, Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2000, and Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2014 Birthday Honours, all for services to golf.
Donna Andrews
Lead instructor in the golf schools at Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club in Southern Pines and a player in the inaugural U.S. Senior Women’s Open Championship, Donna Andrews is the first LPGA Tour player to be inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame.
Donna Andrews grew up in Lynchburg, Va. and became a successful golfer at the junior, collegiate and professional levels. She won seven Virginia State Amateur titles, including five straight VSGA Women’s Amateurs, before playing collegiate golf for Dot Gunnells at the University of North Carolina.
Andrews won the prestigious North and South Women’s Amateur in 1988, and a 15-year professional career brought her six titles, including one major: the 1994 Nabisco Dinah Shore. She birdied the last hole to secure the win, and rekindled the tradition of jumping into the pond fronting the 18th green.
She was a member of two victorious Solheim Cup teams (1994 and 1998) and earned more than $3.6 million in her professional career. She was a member of the LPGA Executive Committee from 2001-2004, serving as president in 2003 and 2004. In 2007, Andrews captained the Junior Solheim Cup Team.
In addition to the North Carolina Hall of Fame, she is a member of the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame and was the first female to be inducted into the VSGA Hall of Fame.
Jan Stephenson
One of the founders of the women’s senior tour, Jan Stephenson is said to be in talks about a biopic, starring Margot Robbie.
With three major championships (1983 U.S. Women’s Open, 1982 Women’s PGA Championship and 1981 du Maurier Classic) and 16 LPGA tour wins under her belt, this Australian will be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame next month.
A 1974 LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year, Stephenson was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985. In 2003, she became the first woman to play on the Champions Tour. She was one of the founders of the women’s senior tour, and is involved with golf course design.
Juli Inkster
The first LPGA rookie to win two major championships in one season, Julie Inkster was inducted to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2000.
This runner-up in the 2018 U.S. Senior Women’s Open will be trying her luck again in this month’s tournament. With 35 LPGA tour trophies and myriad other wins, Inkster will give her competition a run for their money.
She has won seven major championships, to include the U.S. Women’s Open in 1999 and 2002; the LPGA Championship in 1999 and 2000; ANA Inspiration in 1984 and 1989; and the du Maurier Classic in 1984.
In 2014, Inkster joined the Golf Channel as a commentator; and served Fox News in the same role during USGA events in 2015.
Kay Cockerill
This two-time winner of the U.S. Amateur knows her stuff — she’s also a reporter for the Golf Channel, covering the LPGA and Nationwide tours.
As a collegiate athlete, Cockerill scored six individual wins at UCLA. She won the U.S. Women’s Amateur in 1986 and 1987 before going pro and getting a win at what is now known as the LPGA Futures Tour.
Cockerill’s husband is Danny Dann, the vice president of Special Events for the San Francisco Giants. The two met when Danny caddied for her in 1991.
Hollis Stacy
Another member of the World Golf Hall of Fame (inducted 2012), Hollis Stacy is looking to add a championship trophy to the dozens already on her mantle.
One of 10 children in an accomplished family, Hollis Stacy is the only player to win three consecutive U.S. Girls Junior titles — in 1969, 1970 and 1971. The athletic family was named Family of the Year by the Metropolitan Golf Writers Association of America in 1985.
She is the winner of three U.S. Women’s Opens (1977, 1978 and 1984); the du Maurier Classic (1983); 18 LPGA events; and the 1970 North and South Women’s Amateur.
And, of course, she is one of the ones to watch from May 16-19.
Want more information about the U.S. Senior Women’s Open? Read more about the players and tournament info here.
