Beverly Hanson (December 5, 1924 – April 12, 2014) was an American professional golfer who played on the LPGA Tour.

Beverly Hanson
Personal information
Born(1924-12-05)December 5, 1924
Fargo, North Dakota, U.S.
DiedApril 12, 2014(2014-04-12) (aged 89)
Twin Falls, Idaho, U.S.
Height5 ft 8.5 in (1.74 m)
Sporting nationality United States
Career
CollegeUniversity of North Dakota
Mills College
University of Wisconsin
Turned professional1951
Former tour(s)LPGA Tour
Professional wins19
Number of wins by tour
LPGA Tour17
Other2
Best results in LPGA major championships
(wins: 3)
Western OpenWon: 1956
Titleholders C'shipWon: 1958
Women's PGA C'shipWon: 1955
U.S. Women's Open4th: 1952
Achievements and awards
LPGA Tour
Money Winner
1958
LPGA Vare Trophy1958
World Golf Hall of Fame2023

Hanson was born in Fargo, North Dakota, in 1924.[1][2] She studied at the University of North Dakota, Mills College in Oakland, California, and the University of Wisconsin[2] and was a bassoon player, performing with civic orchestras. As an amateur golfer, she won the Texas Open in 1949 and both the California and Southern California ladies' championships. She was a member of the 1950 U.S. Curtis Cup golf team[1] and that year won the U.S. Women's Amateur.[1]

In 1951, Hanson turned professional and won the first event she competed in. She won the inaugural LPGA Championship in 1955,[1] defeating Louise Suggs. In 1958 she was the leading money winner on the LPGA Tour.

Hanson had 17 career wins on the LPGA Tour[3] of which three were majors. Besides the inaugural LPGA major title, in 1956 she won the Women's Western Open and in 1958 the Titleholders Championship.

Hanson died on April 12, 2014, in Twin Falls, Idaho, from complications from Alzheimer's and COPD.[4][5]

Hanson was elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2023 and will be inducted in 2024.[6]

Professional wins (18)

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LPGA Tour wins (17)

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Other wins (1)

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Source[7][8]

Major championships

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Wins (3)

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Year Championship Winning score Margin Runner-up
1955 LPGA Championship 4 & 3   Louise Suggs
1956 Women's Western Open E (75-81-72-76=304) 4 strokes   Louise Suggs
1958 Titleholders Championship +11 (72-80-73-74=299) 5 strokes   Betty Dodd

Team appearances

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Amateur

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Elliott, Len; Kelly, Barbara (1976). Who's Who in Golf. New Rochelle, New York: Arlington House. pp. 81–2. ISBN 0-87000-225-2.
  2. ^ a b LPGA Tour biography Archived December 29, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ LPGA All-Time Winners List Archived December 29, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ^ Reid, Neal (April 25, 2014). "Hanson was colorful, talented LPGA Tour pioneer". LPGA.
  5. ^ Ferguson, Doug (April 22, 2014). "Beverly Hanson, forgotten pioneer in women's golf". Washington Times. Associated Press.
  6. ^ "Padraig Harrington, LPGA founders join '24 Golf Hall of Fame class". ESPN. Associated Press. March 9, 2023.
  7. ^ LPGA Tournament Chronology Archived January 2, 2010, at the Wayback Machine 1950–59
  8. ^ LPGA Tournament Chronology Archived June 29, 2011, at the Wayback Machine 1960–69
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