Edwina Kennedy
Edwina Jane Kennedy (née Kirkby born 1959) is a former Australian amateur golfer. During her career, Kennedy was the first Australian to win the British Ladies Amateur upon her victory in 1978. In team events, she was a member of the Australian Espirito Santo Trophy team that won gold in 1978 and silver in 1980. After ending her golf career in 1993, she was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame that year. Additional awards that Kennedy received include the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1985 and the Australian Sports Medal in 2000.
Early life and education
In 1959, Kennedy was born in Sydney, Australia. During her childhood, Kennedy played at a golf club in Wentworth Falls, New South Wales.[1][2] For her post-secondary education, Kennedy went to Macquarie University for a degree in economics.[3]
Career
During the 1970s and 1980s, Kennedy won multiple amateur golf championships throughout Australia. Some of her Australian championship titles during this time period include back to back wins at the Australian Girls' Amateur from 1976 to 1979 and the Australian Women's Amateur in 1986. While competing in golf, Kennedy worked in industrial relations after completing her university degree.[3][4] In specific parts of Australia, Kennedy first won the Women's New South Wales Amateur Championship in 1979 before adding back to back NSW wins from 1984 to 1986.[5]
Outside of Australia, Kennedy became the first golfer from Australia to win the British Ladies Amateur in 1978.[6] Years later, Kennedy won the 1980 Canadian Women's Amateur.[7] In team events, Kennedy was a member of the Australian golf team that won gold at the 1978 Espirito Santo Trophy and silver at the following Espirito Santo event in 1980.[8] In New Zealand, Kennedy won multiple events in 1985 including the amateur championship.[3] Kennedy ended her golf career in 1993 while working in workers' compensation.[9]
Awards and honors
Kennedy received the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1985 and the Australian Sports Medal in 2000 for her golf career.[10][11] For hall of fames, Kennedy was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1993.[6]
References
- "Kennedy, Edwina (1959-)". Australian Women's Register. Retrieved 27 April 2019.
- "Kennedy leads". Canberra Times. 8 June 1979. p. 18. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
- "Edwina on course for more glory in golf". Canberra Times. 16 February 1986. p. sec. Sport p. 9. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
- "Kennedy the Champ on 10th attempt". Canberra Times. 28 September 1986. p. sec. Sport p. 5. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
- "NSW Amateur Championship". Golf NSW. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
- "Edwina Kennedy OAM - Golf". Sport Australia Hall of Fame. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
- "Canadian Women's Amateur Championship". Golf Canada. Retrieved 3 October 2019.
- "World Amateur Team Championships Women's Records". IGF. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
- Tresidder, Phil (24 October 1993). "Edwina quits". The Sun-Herald. p. 59.
- "Full list of honours awarded for Australia Day". Canberra Times. 26 January 1985. p. 13. Retrieved 21 April 2019.
- "Mrs Edwina Kennedy, OAM". Australian Honours Search Facility. Retrieved 21 April 2019.