Marion Miley

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Marion Miley
Florida State College For Women
StatusAmateur
Best results in LPGA major championships
Titleholders C'shipT3: 1939, 1941

Marion Miley (February 18, 1914 – September 28, 1941) was an American amateur golfer. Active in the 1930s, she won dozens of amateur tournaments and was ranked as high as #1 in the United States. She was noted by the press as being one of the most photogenic golfers in the world and received international acclaim from her successes both nationally and abroad, bringing attention to the sport of women's golf in the era prior to the establishment of the LPGA. She was murdered in 1941 during a robbery of the country club where she and her mother lived, dying at the age of 27; her mother also died as a result of the crime.[1][2][3]

Early life

Miley was born in Philadelphia in 1914, the only child of Fred Miley and Elsie Ego Miley. She moved with her family to

Florida State College For Women in the fall of 1930, but dropped out in 1932 after her sophomore year to focus solely on golf.[3] With the Lexington Country Club as her home club, Marion started competing in women's amateur tournaments around the United States. Later, Standard Oil hired her in a public relations capacity to inspect gas stations and visit with local officials and business leaders. She also published articles in newspapers across the country showcasing her personal viewpoint on major tournaments in which she either previewed or participated.[4]

Golfing career

Early championships

Miley saw her first major golfing success in 1931, when she won the Kentucky Women's Amateur, a title she successfully defended the following year and six times in total throughout her life.

U.S. Women's Amateur in 1933, though lost in the first round.[3] Starting in January 1934, Miley participated in the Orange Blossom Tour in Florida for the first time, covering a number of tournaments run throughout the state and seeing great success.[3][5] These included the Riviera Championship and the Augusta Invitational, where she won first place in both.[4] The wins she made that year and the massive newspaper attention she obtained while traveling in a group with other major golfing names, including Maureen Orcutt, Grace Amory, Betty Jameson, and Patty Berg, opened Miley up for a spot on the United States team in the Curtis Cup. Because she was named as an alternate, she did not play in the competition.[3]

More golf success

Miley's wins continued, resulting in her moving on to claim victory in the Mexican Amateur Championship in 1935,

W.C. Fields. She became friends with Crosby at the time and he said he would challenge her to a friendly match in the future.[3] That same year would see her succeed in other major tournaments, such as the Women's Western Amateur and the Women's Trans-Mississippi Amateur.[3] She took another try at the U.S. Women's Amateur near the end of the year, but lost again, this time in the quarterfinals against Charlotte Glutting.[3] In 1936, Miley reached a major milestone in her career – the semifinals of the national amateur. She lost to Pamela Barton, a British player who would go on to win the tournament.[3]

Miley was selected as a member of another U.S. Curtis Cup team in

British Ladies Amateur.[3] She ended up being the only American still in play in the tournament leading into the quarterfinals[9] and eventually lost in the semifinals against Bridget Newell, but received immense British media attention for the effort.[3] This and other Florida tournament victories in 1937, such as the Augusta Invitational,[10] resulted in Miley being officially recognized as the rank one player in the United States. Though she ended up sitting out the rest of the fall 1937 season due to undergoing an appendectomy as a "safety measure", according to her mother.[11]

In the 1938 U.S. Women's Amateur, Miley once again reached the semifinals, but lost to Patty Berg.

Phyllis Wade and J.B. Walker. Miley also played in a singles match against Elsie Corlett and won, resulting in an overall U.S. team victory.[3][12] A new national ranking was released in 1938 and Miley was ranked second in the United States.[13]

In total, Miley played in 41 major golf tournaments from 1931 to 1940, winning 22. A reporter described her as the "most photographed golfer in the world".

tendonitis in her left thumb, which she stated was hampering her playing capabilities throughout the year. She would reach the semifinals of the Miami International Four-Ball, while also focusing on altering her swing in order to improve the well-being of her thumb, which was seemingly better by September. Miley competed in the U.S. Women's Amateur again in the beginning of September, but lost in the third round against heiress Sylvia Annenberg Leichner.[3]

Murder

On September 28, 1941, Miley was living in a second-floor apartment with her mother at the Lexington Country Club. A few years earlier, Fred Miley had taken a better-paying job as a golf pro at a Cincinnati club and would visit his family regularly. In a badly botched robbery, Marion was murdered at the club. Her body was discovered around five in the morning,[5] after Miley's mother, who herself had been shot three times, crawled 200 yards (180 m) to a neighbor's house in order to get help.[12] The killers had been attempting to rob the club after a dance had been held there the night before that was attended by famous socialites. The thieves had been unaware that the high cost of attendance was accepted on credit for many of the actual attendees and not with physical cash, resulting in them managing to steal only around $140.[3][5]

Miley's funeral took place on October 1, 1941, and was attended by over 1,000 people including golfers Patty Berg and Helen Dettweiler. Soon after, Bing Crosby gave $5,000 to a reward collection for the person or people that would manage to find and capture the murderers. Her death was widely covered in contemporary news publications around the world,[3][5] and the three men involved in her killing were found quickly, placed on trial on December 8, 1941, and executed on February 26, 1943.[5]

Legacy

The Lexington Country Club created the Marion Miley Memorial Golf Tournament in her memory. Another tournament called the Marion Miley Invitational was established in Kentucky.[14] One of the awards established for the Women's Western Amateur after 1941 was named the Marion Miley Trophy.[15] A documentary of Miley's life titled Forgotten Fame: The Marion Miley Story was released in September 2016.[4] Miley was inducted into the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017.[16]

Championships

Year Championship Result Score Opponent Ref
1931 Kentucky Women's Amateur Win 2 and 1 United States Jacquiline Johnson [17]
1932 Kentucky Women's Amateur Win 12 and 10 United States Mrs. E.D. McCraw [18]
1932 Women's Western Amateur Loss (2nd round) 4 and 3 United States Lucille Robinson [19]
1933
U.S. Women's Amateur
 Loss (1st round) 2 up United States Mrs. Ben Fitz-Hugh [20]
1933 Kentucky Women's Amateur 2nd 4 and 2 United States Jacquiline Johnson [21]
1934 Miami Biltmore Women's Invitational Semifinals 2 and 1 United States Helen Hicks [22]
1934
North and South Women's Amateur
 Loss (1st round) 1 up United States Sara Fownes Wadsworth [23]
1934 Kentucky Women's Amateur Win 10 and 9 United States Elvina LeBus [24]
1934 Riviera Championship Win 2 and 1 United States Jean Bauer [25]
1934
U.S. Women's Amateur
 Loss (2nd round) 5 and 4 United States Charlotte Glutting [26]
1935 Augusta Invitational Win 1 up United States Peggy Wattles [27]
1935 South Atlantic Women's Amateur Win 5 and 4 United States Jean Bauer [28]
1935 Mexican Women's Amateur Win 1 up United States Mrs. Paddy Newbold [29]
1935 Women's Western Derby Win 3 up United States Patty Berg [30]
1935 Kentucky Women's Amateur Win 16 and 14 United States Betty Myers [31]
1935 Women's Western Amateur Win 6 and 5 United States Mrs. Philip Atwood [32]
1935 Women's Trans-Mississippi Amateur Win 9 and 7 United States Patty Berg [33]
1935
U.S. Women's Amateur
 Quarterfinals 3 and 1 United States Charlotte Glutting [34]
1936 Miami Biltmore Women's Invitational 2nd 4 and 3 United States Patty Berg [35]
1936 Augusta Invitational Loss (1st round) 1 up United States Barbara Bourne [36]
1936
U.S. Women's Amateur
 Semifinals 3 and 1 England Pamela Barton [37]
1936
British Ladies Amateur
 Semifinals 4 and 3 England Bridget Newell [38]
1937 Kentucky Women's Amateur Win 10 and 9 United States Jacquiline Johnson [39]
1937 Women's Western Amateur Win 7 and 6 United States Betty Jameson [40]
1937 Augusta Invitational Win 6 and 4
Babe Didrikson
 [10]
1938 Kentucky Women's Amateur Win 10 and 9 United States Jacquiline Johnson [41]
1938 Belleair Women's Open Win 2 and 1 United States Patty Berg [42]
1938 Women's Southern Amateur Win 1 up United States Estelle Lawson [43]
1938 Women's Western Amateur Loss (2nd round) 3 and 2 United States Olga Strashun Weil [44]
1938
U.S. Women's Amateur
 Semifinals 2 up United States Patty Berg [45]
1938 Women's Trans-Mississippi Amateur Quarterfinals 5 and 3 United States Sarah Guth [46]
1938 Aiken Round Robin Women's Invitational Loss (4th round) No score
(injury)		 United States Patty Berg and
United States Jane Cothran Jameson		 [47]
1938 Mid-Florida Women's Invitational Win 2 up United States Lillian Zech [48]
1938 Miami Biltmore Women's Invitational Loss (2nd round) 3 and 1 United States Dorothy Kirby [49]
1940 Augusta Invitational Loss (1st round) 4 and 2 United States Louise Suggs [50]
1940 Augusta Invitational Loss (1st round) 4 and 2 United States Louise Suggs [51]
1940 Belleair Women's Open Loss (1st round) 2 and 1 United States Bernice Wall Barbour [52]
1941 Bahamas Invitational Win Tie United States Jean Bauer [53]
1941 Lakeland Women's Invitational Win 2 and 1 United States Mary McGarry [54]
1941 Miami Biltmore Women's Invitational Semifinals 1 up United States Grace Amory [55]
1941
U.S. Women's Amateur
 Loss (3rd round) 1 up United States Sylvia Annenberg Leichner [56]

References

  1. ^ "Beverly Bell: The Miley murders and swift justice — death of golf star Marion Miley was devastating blow". Northern Kentucky Tribune. January 6, 2021. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  2. OCLC 1141093798
    .
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Glenn, Rhonda (April 30, 2010). "The Tragic Death of Marion Miley". USGA.
  4. ^ a b c d e Fitzpatrick, Frank (September 23, 2016). "Golf star's life was cut short by killing". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h Tuckwood, Jan (August 14, 2020). "Golf's tragic beauty: The 1941 murder of champion Marion Miley". The Palm Beach Post. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  6. Newspapers.com
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  7. ^ Bell, Beverly K. (October 1989). "A golf great cut down in her prime". Women's Sports and Fitness. Vol. 11. p. 60.
  8. ^ Clifford P (November 1953). "The Development of Mexican Golf" (PDF). USGA Journal and Turf Management: 17–19. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  9. ^ "Miss Marion Miley Is Only U.S. Survivor Among Last 8". China Press. May 21, 1936 – via ProQuest.
  10. ^ a b "Miss Miley Winner On Augusta Links". The New York Times. March 28, 1937. p. 69 – via ProQuest.
  11. ^ "To Operate on Marion Miley". The New York Times. October 18, 1937. p. 15 – via ProQuest.
  12. ^ a b "Marion Miley, Golf Star, Is Slain By Gunmen in Kentucky Clubhouse". The New York Times. September 29, 1941. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  13. Newspapers.com
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  14. ^ "UK's Carlin wins Marion Miley". WKYT-TV. July 13, 2018. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  15. ^ "Jersey and Rye Golfers Head Qualifiers – Former Wins Marion Miley Trophy". The New York Times. Associated Press. August 10, 1943 – via ProQuest.
  16. ^ "Eight to be inducted into Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame". The Lane Report. March 7, 2017. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  17. Newspapers.com
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  21. Newspapers.com
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  22. ^ "Miss Hicks Beats Miss Miley, 2 And 1: Rallies on Incoming Nine to Triumph and Reach Miami Biltmore Final". The New York Times. February 9, 1934 – via ProQuest.
  23. Newspapers.com
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  26. Newspapers.com
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  27. Newspapers.com
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  28. ^ "South Atlantic Golf Title Captured by Miss Miley in Ormond Beach Tourney". The New York Times. March 3, 1935 – via ProQuest.
  29. Newspapers.com
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  30. Newspapers.com
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  31. Newspapers.com
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  32. ^ "String of Birdies Helps Miss Miley Capture Women's Western Golf Title". The New York Times. August 11, 1935 – via ProQuest.
  33. ^ "Miss Miley Halts Miss Berg, 9 and 7: Kentucky Star Wins Trans-Mississippi Championship on Omaha Links". The New York Times. June 23, 1935 – via ProQuest.
  34. Newspapers.com
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  35. ^ "Miss Berg Victor In Final, 4 And 3: Defeats Miss Miley on Miami Biltmore Links, Playing Brilliant Golf in Cold". The New York Times. February 9, 1936 – via ProQuest.
  36. Newspapers.com
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  37. ^ Richardson, William D. (October 3, 1936). "British Champion Beats Miss Miley: Miss Barton Scores, 3 and 1, Despite Failure of Putter in U.S. Title Golf". The New York Times – via ProQuest.
  38. ^ Darwin, Bernard (May 21, 1936). "Darwin Predicts Success for Miss Barton In Third Straight Attempt to Take Title". The New York Times – via ProQuest.
  39. Newspapers.com
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  40. ^ "Miss Miley Victor In Western Tourney". The New York Times. August 29, 1937 – via ProQuest.
  41. Newspapers.com
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  42. ^ "Miss Miley Takes Final; Beats Miss Berg, 2 and 1, in Belleair Golf Tourney". The New York Times. March 12, 1938. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  43. Newspapers.com
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  44. ^ "Miss Miley Eliminated: Mrs. Weil Upsets Champion in Western Golf". The New York Times. August 25, 1938 – via ProQuest.
  45. Newspapers.com
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  48. Newspapers.com
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  49. Newspapers.com
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  50. ^ "Miss Suggs, 16, Halts Miss Miley In Augusta Golf Upset, 4 and 2". The New York Times. March 20, 1940 – via ProQuest.
  51. ^ "Miss Suggs, 16, Halts Miss Miley In Augusta Golf Upset, 4 and 2". The New York Times. March 20, 1940 – via ProQuest.
  52. ^ "Miss Copic Upsets Miss Miley, 2 and 1: Toledo Golfer Triumphs in the Opening Round of Match Play at Belleair". The New York Times. March 13, 1940 – via ProQuest.
  53. ^ "Miss Miley In Golf Tie: Cards 232 to Deadlock Miss Bauer in Tourney at Nassau". The New York Times. February 22, 1941 – via ProQuest.
  54. Newspapers.com
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  56. Newspapers.com
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External links

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