Jane Blalock

Jane Blalock (born September 19, 1945, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire) is a retired American professional golfer. She became a member of the LPGA Tour in 1969 and won 27 LPGA Tour victories in all.

Amateur career

Blalock began golfing at age 13 and won the New Hampshire Amateur five straight times beginning in 1965, plus the New England Amateur in 1968. She attended Rollins College. She tied for fifth at the 1969 LPGA Burdine's Invitational as an amateur. She then turned pro and earned LPGA Rookie of the Year honors in 1969.

Professional career

Blalock won her first tournament in 1970. She won 25 tournaments during the 1970s and never missed a cut through 1980. She went winless from 1981 to 1984, then won twice in 1985 for what would be her final victories. She retired from full-time competition in 1986. Blalock has won the most times on the LPGA without winning a major. She finished second twice at the LPGA Championship. She did win the Colgate Dinah Shore Winner's Circle in 1972, an event later upgraded to major status. With 27 wins, she matches the point total required for Hall of Fame membership; however, that system was put in place after Blalock retired and it is now up to a Veterans Committee to vote on her Hall credentials.

In mid-1972, the LPGA executive board accused her of cheating, saying that she had lifted her ball several times and then placed it closer to the hole. She originally denied the charges but later issued an apology. Some felt that she was admitting that she was guilty of the charge. She was evenutally suspended for one year. She sued and was allowed to continue playing.

Blalock owns a golf event management firm and started the LPGA Golf Clinics for Women program. She also played a role in founding the Women's Senior Golf Tour (now called the Legends Tour).

LPGA Tour wins (27)

*1970 (1) Lady Carling Open
*1971 (2) George Washington Classic, Lady Pepsi Open
*1972 (4) Dinah Shore Colgate Winner’s Circle, Suzuki Golf Internationale, Dallas Civitan Open, Lady Errol Classic
*1974 (4) Bing Crosby International Classic, Birmingham Classic, Southgate Ladies Open (tied with Sue Roberts), Lady Errol Classic
*1975 (1) Karsten-PING Open
*1976 (2) Wheeling Classic, Dallas Civitan Open
*1977 (2) Greater Baltimore Golf Classic, The Sarah Coventry
*1978 (4) Orange Blossom Classic, Mayflower Classic, Wheeling Classic, Golden Lights Championship.
*1979 (4) Orange Blossom Classic, Florida Lady Citrus, Otey Crisman Classic, The Sarah Coventry
*1980 (1) Elizabeth Arden Classic.
*1985 (2) Women’s Kemper Open, Mazda Japan Classic:"Note: Blalock won the Dinah Shore Colgate Winner's Circle (now known as the Kraft Nabisco Championship) before it became a major championship."

ee also

*Golfers with most LPGA Tour wins

External links

* [http://www.lpga.com/player_results.aspx?id=410 Profile on the LPGA's official site]
* [http://golf.about.com/od/golferswomen/p/janeblalock.htm Jane Blalock bio]