Helen Hicks Explained

Helen Hicks
Fullname:Helen L. Hicks Harb
Birth Date:11 February 1911
Birth Place:Cedarhurst, New York, U.S.
Yearpro:1934
Extour:LPGA Tour (Founder)
Prowins:2
Lpgawins:2
Majorwins:2
Western:Won: 1937
Titleholders:Won: 1940
Wghofid:https://www.worldgolfhalloffame.org/press_releases/world-golf-hall-of-fame-announces-induction-class-of-2024/
Wghofyear:2024

Helen L. Hicks Harb (February 11, 1911 – December 16, 1974)[1] was an American professional golfer and one of 13 founders of the LPGA in 1950.

Biography

Hicks was born in Cedarhurst, New York.[1] She began playing golf at the age of 15, after being taught by her father. She attended Lawrence High School, where she played basketball for her school's team while simultaneously competing and winning such tournaments as the Junior Girls' Championship of the Metropolitan Women's Golf Association.[2] She had a successful amateur career, reaching the finals of the U.S. Women's Amateur twice.[3] She beat Glenna Collett Vare in 1931[4] and lost to Virginia Van Wie in 1933.[5] She won several other amateur tournaments and played on the first U.S. Curtis Cup team in 1932.

In 1934, Hicks became one of the first women to turned professional; signing with the Wilson Sporting Goods Company to promote their golf equipment.[6]

Hicks won two tournaments as a professional that are now considered LPGA major championships: the 1937 Women's Western Open and the 1940 Titleholders Championship. From 1938 to 1948, she competed as Helen Hicks Harb after marrying Whitney Harb.

In 1950, Hicks was one of 13 women that founded the LPGA.[7]

Hicks died of throat cancer in 1974.

Hicks is sometimes confused with contemporary Betty Hicks who won the 1941 U.S. Women's Amateur.

Tournament wins

this list is incomplete

Major championships

Wins (2)

Year Championship Winning score Margin Runner-up
6 & 5 Bea Barrett (a)
+36 (87-83-85-81=336) 1 stroke Helen Dettweiler

Team appearances

Amateur

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Elliott . Len . Barbara . Kelly . Who's Who in Golf . 1976 . Arlington House . New Rochelle, New York . 0-87000-225-2 . 90 . registration .
  2. Web site: Rhonda . Glenn . Rhonda Glenn . On The Early Road With Helen Hicks . . December 26, 2010 . January 15, 2017 . Born into a jovial and athletic family on Feb. 11, 1911, in Cedarhurst, N.Y., Hicks, like many girls, was introduced to golf by her father. Young Helen began playing at the age of 15 and improved rapidly. She won the Metropolitan Women's Golf Association Junior Girls' Championship at the same time she was starring as a basketball player for Lawrence High School. . January 30, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180130091217/http://www.usga.org/articles/2010/12/on-the-early-road-with-helen-hicks-2147491640.html . live.
  3. Web site: U.S. Women's Amateur champions . uswamateur.org . February 26, 2009 . March 4, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304002536/http://www.uswamateur.org/history/past-champions/index.html . live.
  4. Web site: 1931 U.S. Women's Amateur . uswamateur.org . February 26, 2009 . February 12, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120212124948/http://www.uswamateur.org/history/past-champions/1931.html . live.
  5. Web site: 1933 U.S. Women's Amateur . uswamateur.org . February 26, 2009 . July 19, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110719024850/http://www.uswamateur.org/history/past-champions/1933.html . live.
  6. http://www.womenseastern.org/biographies.htm Women's Eastern Golf Association
  7. Web site: About the LPGA - Our Founders . LPGA . January 26, 2022 . November 2, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211102132544/https://www.lpga.com/careers-about/about-our-founders . live.