Sandra Spuzich

Sandra Spuzich (April 3, 1937 – October 6, 2015) was an American professional golfer who played on the LPGA Tour in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.

Sandra Spuzich
Personal information
Born(1937-04-03)April 3, 1937
Indianapolis, Indiana
DiedOctober 6, 2015(2015-10-06) (aged 78)
Indianapolis, Indiana
Nationality United States
PartnerJoyce Kazmierski
Career
CollegeIndiana University
Turned professional1962
Retired1992
Former tour(s)LPGA Tour (1962–92)
Professional wins8
Number of wins by tour
LPGA Tour7
Other1
Best results in LPGA major championships
(wins: 1)
Western OpenT15: 1966
Titleholders C'ship9th: 1966
ANA InspirationT23: 1983
Women's PGA C'ship4th: 1968
U.S. Women's OpenWon: 1966
du Maurier ClassicT10: 1983

Spuzich was born in Indianapolis, Indiana of Polish, Serbian, Macedonian and Lebanese descent.[1] She was an amateur golfer and elementary school teacher when she decided to turn professional in 1962. Her first win came at the 1966 U.S. Women's Open by one stroke over Carol Mann and two strokes over Mickey Wright.[2] The tournament was held at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota – the first major championship played there.

In 1982 at the age of 45, Spuzich became the oldest player to win two LPGA Tour events in the same year when she won the Corning Classic followed by the Mary Kay Classic.[3]

Spuzich died in Indianapolis, Indiana on October 6, 2015. Her life partner was fellow LPGA golfer Joyce Kazmierski.[4]

Professional wins

LPGA Tour wins (7)
Legend
LPGA Tour major championships (1)
Other LPGA Tour (6)
No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory		 Runner(s)-up
1 Jul 3, 1966 U.S. Women's Open +9 (75-74-76-72=297) 1 stroke Carol Mann
2 Aug 3, 1969 Buckeye Savings Invitational +3 (71-72-70=213) 3 strokes Judy Rankin
3 May 5, 1974 Lady Tara Classic E (71-76-72=219) Playoff Donna Caponi
Kathy Whitworth
4 May 29, 1977 Lady Keystone Open −9 (68-66-67=201) 1 stroke Silvia Bertolaccini
5 Sep 7, 1980 Barth Classic −4 (73-70-69=212) 2 strokes Carolyn Hill
Lori Garbacz
6 May 30, 1982 Corning Classic −8 (69-72-70-69=280) Playoff Patty Sheehan
7 Sep 12, 1982 Mary Kay Classic −10 (70-69-67=206) 1 stroke Carole Charbonnier

LPGA Tour playoff record (2–2)

No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
1 1968 Corpus Christi Civitan Open Judy Rankin Lost to par on second extra hole
2 1974 Lady Tara Classic Donna Caponi
Kathy Whitworth		 Won with par on fifth extra hole
Whitworth eliminated with par on third hole
3 1974 Bluegrass Invitational JoAnne Carner Lost to bogey on first extra hole
4 1982 Corning Classic Patty Sheehan Won with par on first extra hole

Other wins (1)
  • 1966 Haig & Haig Scotch Foursome (with Jack Rule, Jr.)

Major championships

Wins (1)
YearChampionshipWinning scoreMarginRunner-up
1966U.S. Women's Open+9 (75-74-76-72=297)1 stroke Carol Mann

References
  1. Joyce Kazmierski and Sandra Spuzich: A Golf Love Story Comes Out of the Closet
  2. "Up from the Basement". Time. July 15, 1966. Retrieved January 8, 2008.
  3. "Miss Spuzich Wins". The New York Times. September 13, 1982. Retrieved January 8, 2008.
  4. "Sandra Spuzich Obituary". The Indianapolis Star. October 9, 2015.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.