Patti Berg Biography
The Biography of Patty Berg is remarkable to say the least.
Patty Berg was born in 1918 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Growing up, Berg was always considered a tomboy. She liked playing sports with the boys, and particularly enjoyed football. When she was thirteen years old, she took up the sport of golf. By the time she was sixteen, she had already won her city championship. At age seventeen, Berg reached the finals of the U.S. Women's Amateur competition, however, she did not win. This didn't stop her determination though. Two years later, she won the Titleholders and the next year she claimed the U.S. Women's Amateur title.
By the time 1940 arrived, Berg had won twenty-nine amateur titles. At this point, she decided to turn pro. However, when World War II broke out, Berg enlisted in the Marines. She served as a lieutenant until 1945. The next year, she won the first U.S. Women's Open. Berg did not stop there. She became one of the founding members of the Ladies Professional Golf Association (the LPGA) and served as its President. She continued her winning streak, taking top prize as the 1953, 1957 and 1958 Western Opens. She also won the 1955 and the 1957 Titleholders. The Associated Press voted her Woman Athlete of the Year in 1938, 1942 and 1955. Overall, she won an impressive 57 events in the LPGA and WPGA circuits.
Her awards did not stop with the end of her golf career. She received the Bob Jones award in 1963. This award is given by the United States Golf Association and recognizes "distinguished sportsmanship in golf." She received the Old Tom Morris Award in 1986, which is the highest honor given out by the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America.
In 1978, the LPGA created the Patty Berg award. It was given to an athlete who "exemplifies diplomacy, sportsmanship, goodwill and contributions to the game of golf." She also was involved in the Nolan Henke/Patty Berg Junior Masters. This was established to help develop young golfers.
Berg was also involved in teaching golf clinics to the public. She once said that she had given over 16,000 of these clinics. The clinics were sponsored by Wilson Sporting Goods company. She served on the Advisory Staff of Wilson for sixty six years. These clinics brought the game of golf to many new players. Berg herself estimated that she had reached a half million people during her clinics.