Grace Lenczyk Explained

Grace Lenczyk
Full Name:Grace Lenczyk Cronin
Birth Date:12 September 1927
Birth Place:Newington, Connecticut, U.S.
Death Place:Walpole, Massachusetts, U.S.
Status:Amateur
Prowins:1
Titleholders:8th: 1948
Wusopen:T4: 1948

Grace Lenczyk Cronin (September 12, 1927 – December 13, 2013) was an American amateur golfer. She won the 1947 and 1948 Canadian Women's Amateur and the 1948 U.S. Women's Amateur. In team events, she was a member of the winning American team at the 1948 and 1950 Curtis Cup.

Lenczyk was inducted into the Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame in 1969.

Early life and education

Lenczyk was born on September 12, 1927, in Newington, Connecticut. At the age of eleven, she started playing golf with her siblings at the Indian Hill Country Club in Newington, Connecticut.[1] For her post-secondary education, Lenczyk went to Arnold College to study physical education.[2]

Golf career

As an amateur golfer, Lenczyk competed at the U.S. Women's Amateur consecutively between 1946 and 1949 and was the 1948 championship champion when the event was held at Pebble Beach.[3] She has been honored by having the 5th hole of the course, The Hay, named "Grace" in recognition of her U.S. Women's Amateur by the Pebble Beach Company.

Outside of the United States, Lenczyk won the 1947 and 1948 Canadian Women's Amateur and appeared at the 1948 and 1949 British Ladies Amateur.[4] [5] Apart from her amateur competitions, Lenczyk had her first professional win at the 1947 All American Open.[6] In major championships, she had a top eight finish at the 1948 Titleholders Championship and 1948 U.S. Women's Open.[7] [8]

In team events, she was a member of the American team that won the 1948 and 1950 Curtis Cup.[9]

Death

On December 13, 2013, Lenczyk died in Walpole, Massachusetts.[10]

Awards and honors

Notes and References

  1. Hannigan . Frank . Pebble Beach: Johnston Got His Feet Wet . USGA Journal and Turf Management . August 1961 . XIV . 4 . 7 .
  2. News: Co-Ed Tourney Opens Today . Evening Independent . 7 July 1947 . Massillon, Ohio . 15.
  3. Encyclopedia: Elliott. Len. Who's who in golf. 0870002252. Arlington House. Lenczyk, Grace (Mrs. Robert Cronin). New Rochelle. 116. 1976. registration.
  4. Web site: Canadian Women's Amateur Championship . Golf Canada . 24 February 2019.
  5. News: Grace Lenczyk Eliminated in British Amateur . Joplin News Herald . 24 May 1939 . 8.
  6. News: Amateur Defeats Pro In Golf Tournament . Beckley Post Herald . 7 July 1947 . 5.
  7. News: Berg Upsets Babe Zaharias . 3 March 2019 . St. Petersburg Times . 22 March 1948 . Thirteen.
  8. News: Babe Zaharias Cops National . 3 March 2019 . St. Joseph Gazette . 16 August 1948 . 7.
  9. Web site: Curtis Cup Results: 1932 to Present . United States Golf Association . 4 January 2019 . 29 August 2018.
  10. News: Obituaries . Hartford Courant . 23 December 2013 . B2.
  11. Web site: Hall of Fame Inductees . Connecticut State Golf Association . 4 January 2019.
  12. Web site: Grace Lenczyk Cronin . Stetson University . 4 January 2019.