Jane Blalock

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Jane Blalock
Personal information
Full nameBarbara Jane Blalock
Born (1945-09-19) September 19, 1945 (age 78)
LPGA Tour
Rookie of the Year
1969

Barbara Jane Blalock (born September 19, 1945) is an American

herniated disc, Blalock failed to win a tournament from 1981 until 1984,[11] though after two wins in 1985 she was named Comeback Player of the Year by Golf Digest.[4]

Since retiring in 1987,

CEO of both the Legends Tour for veteran female LPGA golfers[13] and the LPGA Golf Clinics for Women. Her company, JBC Golf, Inc., manages both programs.[14] Associated with various boards and non-profit organizations,[15] she has authored two books: The Guts To Win (Simon & Schuster, 1977)[16] and Gimmies, Bogies and Business (Mastermedia, 1999).[17]

Early life and education

Jane Blalock was born in

newspaper editor in town.[3] She began golfing at age 13,[19] and credits her family with being supportive of her different endeavors, including athletics.[3] After years of practicing golf at the nearby country club,[4] Blalock attended Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida.[20] She continued to play amateur golf as she studied, winning the New Hampshire Amateur in 1965, 1966, and 1968,[19] and also winning the Florida Intercollegiate Championship in 1966.[4] She graduated from Rollins College in 1967 with a degree in history. Blalock began working as a high school history teacher[19] upon graduation, and a year later she borrowed money to return from New Hampshire to Florida, where she spent five weeks taking lessons from golfer and instructor Bob Toski.[6] She won the New England Amateur tournament in 1967[4] and 1968.[19] The following winter, Blalock returned to work at a country club in Florida, laboring on the driving range and doing odd jobs while listening to Toski advise students.[6]

Professional golf career

First purses and LPGA wins (1969–72)

Though she had yet to win a tournament outside of

Atlanta, Georgia in 1970, beating Betsy Rawls by one stroke.[19] Blalock won Most Improved Golfer at the LGPA Golf Awards in both 1970 and 1971,[5][6] and those same years Golf Digest named her their "most improved professional."[4][5]

On April 16, 1972, won the inaugural version of the

Dinah Shore Colgate Winner's Circle, earning "the richest prize in women's gold history" with the $20,000 first place award.[8] The Dinah Shore event would later be upgraded to a women's major golf championship. That moment for [female golfers] was 40 years ago [at Dinah Shore]. We began getting corporate-type sponsors. We had celebrities wanting to meet us and play with us. We were asked to do television commercials." Blalock in particular recollects doing a commercial with Jan Miner.[23]

In May 1972, she won the

Dallas Civitan Open[26] and the Lady Errol Classic.[27] Blalock came in second at the 1972 LPGA Championship.[28]

Continued wins and records (1973–80)

In 1975, Blalock won the

Times Daily reported that she had "coasted to a whopping nineshot victory" in the $50,000 Dallas Civitan Open." The article detailed that "Blalock's one-under 71 Sunday produced a tournament record 11-under 205 for the 54-hole distance, breaking the previous best - set last year by Carol Mann - by three shots. It was the widest victory margin on the ladies tour this year."[29]

In 1977 she published her autobiography, The Guts to Win, through

The Evening Independent described her as "one of the foremost women golfers of her time," calling her experience with the suspension a "dark age" in the LPGA's behavior.[10]

By 1980, Blalock held the record for "going through 299 consecutive tournaments without missing a cut (1969 through 1980),"

San Diego, California. Afterwards she went winless for four years.[13] Writing a column for the Miami Herald in 1981, Blalock expressed frustration with the LPGA's use of sex appeal in promoting the women's tour,[30] noting particularly controversial photos of Jan Stephenson[11] in the tour publication Fairways Magazine.[3] In July 1983, Blalock became the LPGA's seventh "millionaire" in terms of winnings.[22]

Comeback and retirement (1981–87)

From 1981 until 1984, Blalock failed to win a tournament as she nursed a

Mazda Japan Classic that year,[32] as one of her two final victories on the LPGA tour.[18] In 1985, Golf Digest named her Comeback Player of the Year. Leaving the LPGA tour in 1985 but not the sport,[4] she retired from full-time competition in 1987.[18] By April 1987, she had won 27 events and accumulated $1,300,000 in prize money,[3] with 11 holes-in-one.[33] In early 1988, she retired from women's professional golf to become a financial consultant.[3] Since retiring, Blalock continues to hold the world record for "most consecutive cuts made on a professional [golf] tour," with her 299 cuts considered the longest streak for any LPGA Tour or PGA Tour player in history,[12] beating the second-best record held by Tiger Woods by over 150 cuts.[13]

Total, Blalock's website states she has won 27 LPGA titles, two World Championships, and two Triple Crown titles from her days touring with the LPGA.

Dinah Shore Colgate Winner's Circle in 1972.[34] She has been inducted into both the New England Sports Hall of Fame and the Vince Lombardi Hall of Fame.[4] Her 27 LPGA tournament wins meant that for years she matched the point total required for inclusion in the World Golf Hall of Fame,[24][35] though she lacked the major win necessary for consideration. Blalock was voted into the Legends Hall of Fame in July 2014.[12]

Business and philanthropy career

Early tournaments, JBC Golf (1980s–1999)

Blalock founded the annual University of New Hampshire Pro-Am Classic tournament in 1981,

non-profit organizations.[37]

Blalock was appointed to the

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation's Volunteerism Award for work on the Gillette LPGA Golf Clinic Series.[37] Blalock has been a periodic television commentator for ESPN Golf,[41] and she has also been a golf commentator for NBC.[42] She published her second book Gimmies, Bogeys and Business, a "guide to using golf for success in business," in 1999.[4]

Legends Tours (1994–present)

Main article: Legends Tour

In December 1994, publications such as the

Seattle Times reported that Blalock was organizing the Volvo Legends Series for women aged 45 and older. 24 players had accepted invitations to participate at that point, including JoAnne Carner, Kathy Whitworth,[44] Sandra Haynie, Sandra Palmer, Judy Rankin, Carol Mann and Donna Caponi.[43] Two Volvo tournaments, one in Phoenix, Arizona and one in Atlanta, took place in 1995[44] for $150,000 each. Prime Network broadcast delayed television coverage of the events. While Blalock clarified that the Volvo Legends Series was not officially affiliated with the LPGA, she did state that "neither [is the LPGA] opposed."[43] The Volvo series put on two successful events before dissolving after one year.[45]

From 1996 to 2000, Blalock worked to organize a new senior golf tour for older and often retired LPGA athletes. After receiving support from 24 other founding members and a 3-year sponsorship program from the Green Bay Chamber of Commerce, The Women's Senior Golf Tour debuted in August 2000 in Green Bay, Wisconsin with a minimum age of 43 and a $500,000 purse, with $75,000 going to the winner. Around 30,000 people attended over three days. The senior tour paid a fee to the LPGA for permission to involve active LPGA players, but otherwise remained independent.[45] Blalock worked to make sure the tour was the official senior tour of the LPGA in 2001,[12] and the Women's Senior Golf Tour[13] is now called the Legends Tour.[40] Initially it grew from two annual events to 11 events by 2013,[12] to 14 events in 2016. The tour has donated significant amounts to charity.[14] Blalock was on the WSGT Board of Directors for years, later only serving as CEO of The Legends Tour (The WDGA).[33]

Personal life

In 1986, Blalock moved from Florida to

Boston, Massachusetts to work in finance.[46] As of 2016, Blalock continues to maintain an office in Boston.[37] She also remains involved with the Blalock family restaurant,[3] which she helped open on June 10, 1975 as Old Ferry Landing in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.[47] Blalock's likeness on the golf course has been painted by American artist LeRoy Neiman.[4]

Publishing history

Books written by Jane Blalock
Year Release title Publisher ISBN
1977 The Guts To Win Simon & Schuster[16]
ISBN 978-0671227975
1999 Gimmies, Bogies and Business Mastermedia Publishing Company[17]
ISBN 978-1571010605

Awards and recognition

Yr Award Nominee Category Result
1969 LPGA Awards Jane Blalock
LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year[6]
 Won
1970 Most Improved Golfer[5][6] Won
Golf Digest Most Improved Professional[4][5] Won
1971 LPGA Awards Most Improved Golfer[5][6] Won
Golf Digest Most Improved Professional[4][5] Won
1985 Comeback Player of the Year[4] Won
1986 Vince Lombardi
Tournament of Champions 		Vince Lombardi Hall of Fame[14] Inductee
1987
National Association for
Girls and Women in Sport
 Professional Athlete of the Year Award[4] Inaugural
Win
1995
Susan G. Komen
Foundation Awards
 JBC Golf, Inc. Volunteerism Award[14] Won
1998 New England Sports Hall of Fame Jane Blalock New England Women's
Sports Hall of Fame[4] 		Inaugural
Inductee
2000
State of New Hampshire
 New Hampshire Top Ten Athletes
of the Century Award[4] 		Won
2014 Legends Hall of Fame Legends Hall of Fame[12] Inductee

Professional wins (34)

LPGA Tour wins (27)

No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory 		Runner(s)-up
1 Aug 9, 1970 Lady Carling Open +2 (72-79-70=221) 1 stroke United States Betsy Rawls
2 Jun 11, 1971 George Washington Classic −11 (68-72-68=208) 2 strokes United States JoAnne Carner
3 Aug 8, 1971
Lady Pepsi Open
 −5 (72-70-72=214) 1 stroke United States JoAnne Carner
4 Apr 16, 1972
Dinah Shore Colgate Winner's Circle
 −3 (71-70-72=213) 3 strokes United States Carol Mann
United States Judy Rankin
5 May 14, 1972 Suzuki Golf Internationale −8 (68-70-70=208) 1 stroke United States Kathy Whitworth
6 Sep 10, 1972
Dallas Civitan Open
 −5 (68-74-69=211) Playoff United States Kathy Whitworth
7 Nov 5, 1972 Lady Errol Classic −2 (71-70-73=214) Playoff United States Sandra Palmer
United States Kathy Whitworth
8 Mar 17, 1974 Bing Crosby International Classic −1 (74-74-67=215) 2 strokes United States Jo Ann Prentice
9 Apr 28, 1974 Birmingham Classic −5 (73-68-70=211) 3 strokes United States Sandra Palmer
10 Sep 2, 1974 Southgate Ladies Open −2 (70-72=142) Tie[1] United States Sue Roberts
11 Nov 24, 1974 Lady Errol Classic −1 (70-75-70=215) Playoff United States Jo Ann Prentice
12 Mar 29, 1975 Karsten-Ping Open −7 (70-71-68=209) 1 stroke United States JoAnne Carner
13 Aug 15, 1976
Wheeling Classic
 +1 (72-72-73=217) Playoff United States Pat Bradley
14 Sep 12, 1976
Dallas Civitan Open
 −11 (67-67-71=205) 9 strokes United States Kathy Whitworth
15 May 15, 1977 Greater Baltimore Golf Classic −10 (69-72-68=209) 3 strokes United States Joyce Kazmierski
Japan Takako Kiyamoto
16 Sep 25, 1977 The Sarah Coventry −10 (72-70-69-71=282) 3 strokes United States Debbie Austin
United States Pat Meyers
17 Feb 20, 1978 Orange Blossom Classic −4 (71-71-70=212) 2 strokes United States Gloria Ehret
18 Jul 3, 1978 Mayflower Classic −7 (69-72-68=209) 3 strokes United States Joyce Kazmierski
19 Jul 9, 1978
Wheeling Classic
 −9 (68-67-72=207) 7 strokes United States Kathy Martin
20 May 29, 1978 Golden Lights Championship (California) −12 (67-68-70-71=276) 2 strokes United States Hollis Stacy
21 Feb 25, 1979 Orange Blossom Classic −11 (66-69-70=205) 6 strokes Canada Sandra Post
22 Apr 22, 1979
Florida Lady Citrus
 −6 (74-68-74-70=286) Playoff United States JoAnne Carner
23 Apr 29, 1979
Otey Crisman Classic
 −11 (68-65-72=205) 6 strokes United States Pat Bradley
24 Jun 17, 1979 The Sarah Coventry −12 (69-70-69-72=280) 6 strokes United States Alice Ritzman
25 Feb 10, 1980 Elizabeth Arden Classic −5 (70-66-73-74=283) 1 stroke United States Jerilyn Britz
United States Debbie Massey
26 Mar 17, 1985 Women's Kemper Open −5 (71-69-72-75=287) 1 stroke United States Pat Bradley
27 Nov 10, 1985
Mazda Japan Classic
 −10 (72-70-64=206) 2 strokes
Ai-Yu Tu

1 The 1974 Southgate Ladies Open was shortened to 36 holes due to inclement weather. Since a playoff was not possible, Blalock and Sue Roberts were declared co-champions.

  • Blalock won the Dinah Shore Colgate Winner's Circle (now known as the
    Kraft Nabisco Championship
    ) before it became a major championship.

LPGA Tour playoff record (5–3)

No. Year Tournament Opponent(s) Result
1 1971
Quality First Classic
 United States Judy Rankin Lost to par on second extra hole
2 1972
Dallas Civitan Open
 United States Kathy Whitworth Won with birdie on first extra hole
3 1972 Lady Errol Classic United States Sandra Palmer
United States Kathy Whitworth 		Won with birdie on third extra hole
4 1974
Colgate-Dinah Shore Winner's Circle
 United States Sandra Haynie
United States Jo Ann Prentice 		Prentice won with birdie on fourth extra hole
Haynie eliminated by par on second hole
5 1974 Lady Errol Classic United States Jo Ann Prentice Won with birdie on first extra hole
6 1976
Wheeling Classic
 United States Pat Bradley Won with par on first extra hole
7 1979
Florida Lady Citrus
 United States JoAnne Carner Won with par on second extra hole
8 1981 Birmingham Classic United States Beth Solomon Lost to par on third extra hole

LPGA of Japan Tour wins (4)

1Co-sanctioned by the

LPGA Tour

Other wins (4)

  • 1972 (1) Angelo's Four-Ball Championship (with Sandra Palmer)
  • 1973 (1) Angelo's Four-Ball Championship (with Sandra Palmer)
  • 1975 (1) Colgate Triple Crown
  • 1977 (1) Colgate Triple Crown

Legends of the LPGA wins (1)

See also

References

  1. ^ Celebrity golfer: Jane Blalock
  2. ^ 2008 LPGA Media Guide. LPGA. 2009. pp. 52, 363.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i White, Gordon (April 5, 1987). "Golf; Blalock looks forward to retirement in 1988". The New York Times. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y "About". JaneBlalockLPGA.com. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g "Blalock files LPGA lawsuit".
    Park City Daily News. Associated Press
    . June 1, 1972. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j McDermott, Barry (June 19, 1972). "Keeping A Close Eye On The Ball". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  7. ^ Goolsby, Denise (March 31, 2015). "Women's golf tourney helped usher in era of equality". The Desert Sun. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  8. ^ a b "Miss Blalock wins, Receives $20,000".
    The Milwaukee Journal
    . April 16, 1972. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  9. ^ a b "Blalock vs. LPGA settled".
    The Evening Independent
    . August 5, 1975. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  10. ^ a b c Hanson, Greg (February 20, 1978). "Blalock; Scars of the past healed and forgotten".
    The Evening Independent
    . Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  11. ^ a b c d e "Veteran Blalock still watchdog of LPGA".
    The Calgary Herald
    . June 26, 1985. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g "Lopez, Blalock To Be Inducted Into Legends Hall of Fame". LPGA. July 31, 2014. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  13. ^ a b c d e f g Rogers, Amy (2015). "35 Years Later - Jane Blalock's Cut Streak Ends at 299". LPGA. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  14. ^ a b c d e f g "Jane Blalock". LinkedIn. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  15. ^ a b Stejbach, Ken (June 23, 1998). "Blalock Classic a pro affair". SeaCoast Online. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  16. ^ a b Blalock, Jane (May 1977). "The Guts to Win".
    ISBN 0671227971
    .
  17. ^ a b "Gimmies, Bogeys, and Business: The Insider's Guide on How to Use Golf for Professional Golfers". Mastermedia Publishing Company. 1999.
    ISBN 1571010602
    .
  18. ^
    About.com. Archived from the original
    on May 16, 2008. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  19. ^ a b c d e f "Jane Blalock Golf Winner". Lodi News-Sentinel. August 10, 1970. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  20. ^ "LPGA needs flamboyancy". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. The Washington Post. May 13, 1973. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  21. ^ a b "Blalock takes Suzuki".
    The Sumter Daily Item
    . May 15, 1972. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  22. ^ a b "Blalock reaches milestone".
    Observer-Reporter
    . July 18, 1983. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  23. ^ Pucin, Diane (March 30, 2011). "LPGA golfers can sing Dinah Shore's praises". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  24. ^ a b c d Diaz, Jamie (January 29, 2011). "Fame or Shame? LPGA must decide on Blalock". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  25. ^ "Jane Blalock a winner in court".
    Beaver County Times
    . March 27, 1975. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  26. ^ Jane Blalock wins Dallas golf playoff
  27. Ocala Star-Banner. Associated Press
    . November 25, 1974. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  28. ^ "Kathy Ahern wins Eve LPGA by six strokes". Wilmington Morning Star. North Carolina. UPI. June 12, 1972. p. 16.
  29. ^ "Jane Blalock easily wins Dallas Civitan".
    Times Daily
    . September 13, 1976. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  30. ^ "Sex appeal in Golf! Jane Blalock says it isn't needed now". The Madison Courier.
    The Associated Press
    . February 10, 1981. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  31. ^ Final hole turnaround gives Blalock Kemper Open title
  32. ^ Jane Blalock wins Mazda Classic
  33. ^ a b "Jane Blalock". The Legends Tour. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  34. ^ "World Golf Hall of Fame - Criteria". World Golf Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on May 21, 2013. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  35. ^ "Hollis Stacy selected for Hall of Fame". ESPN. November 17, 2011. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  36. ^ Sheehan, Amy (March 25, 2014). "UNH athletics names 8 to 2014 Hall of Fame class". SeaCoast Online. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  37. ^ a b c d "The Jane Blalock Company". The Jane Blalock Company. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  38. ^ "LPGA Clinics Celebrate 25-Year Anniversary in 2015". lpgagolfclinicsforwomen.com. February 26, 2015. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  39. ^ Stewart, John (May 19, 1991). "Women learn business value of sport". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  40. ^ a b Lipsey, Rick (April 26, 1999). "Senior Women Set for 2000". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on May 1, 2013.
  41. ^ "Jane Blalock Pro-Am on Monday".
    The Telegraph
    . July 24, 1992. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
  42. ^ "Jane Blalock". Bloomberg. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  43. ^ a b c Bonk, Thomas (December 6, 1994). "Blalock and Other LPGA Veterans Will Launch Their Own Legends Series". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  44. ^ a b "Headlines at For The Records".
    Seattle Times
    . December 6, 1994. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  45. ^ a b Juliano, Joe (August 27, 2000). "Force Four Years In The Making, The Women's Senior Golf Tour Was Born Because Of The Never-say-die Spirit Of Jane Blalock".
    Philly.com
    . Retrieved March 24, 2016.
  46. ^ Cullity, Mike (July 6, 2010). "My Town: Jane Blalock". Golf Digest. Retrieved March 17, 2016.
  47. ^ Laurent, Suzanne (June 10, 2015). "Old Ferry Landing celebrates 40 years". SeaCoast Online. Retrieved March 17, 2016.

External links

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