Alice Ritzman
American professional golfer (born 1952)
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Alice Ritzman (born March 1, 1952) is an American professional golfer, who played on the LPGA Tour from 1978 to 1998.
United States| Alice Ritzman | |
|---|---|
| Personal information | |
| Born | March 1, 1952 Kalispell, Montana, U.S. |
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) |
| Sporting nationality | United States |
| Career | |
| College | Eastern Montana College |
| Status | Professional |
| Former tours | LPGA Tour (1978–1998) Legends Tour |
| Best results in LPGA major championships | |
| Chevron Championship | T9: 1983 |
| Women's PGA C'ship | 2nd: 1994 |
| U.S. Women's Open | T15: 1987, 1991 |
| du Maurier Classic | T11: 1986 |
Early career
Ritzman was born in Kalispell, Montana, on March 1, 1952.[1] She won the Montana Junior Championship three times. She also won the Montana State Women's Amateur Championship in 1972 and 1973.[2] She was inducted in the Montana State Women's Golf Association's Hall of Fame in 1991. She attended college at Eastern Montana College in Billings.[3]
Ritzman was coached by Harvey Penick in Austin, Texas, where he worked as the golf coach at the University of Texas. Penick wrote a book on golf[4] in which he refers to Ritzman as "little Alice Ritzman".
Some notable results:
- She has five career holes-in-one.
- Her best results were three playoff losses she suffered: to Kathy Whitworth at the 1981 Coca-Cola Classic, to Hollis Stacy at the 1981 West Virginia Bank Classic, and to Betsy King at the 1986 Rail Charity Classic.
- During her first full year on Tour in 1979, Ritzman established an LPGA all-time record, which still stands, by carding three eagles in one round at the 1979 Colgate European Open.
- In 1986, she posted her career-low round of 64 at the Rochester International.
- She played in 401 LPGA events.
- Crossed the $1 million mark in career earnings in 1992.
- When she retired in 1998, she had the highest ranking on the career money list (43) as a non-winner with $1,490,016.[3]
Later career
Ritzman retired from professional golf in 1998 to become a golf commentator for ESPN. She stills plays golf on the Legends Tour.[5] She subsequently worked as a realtor.[1]
Current life
Ritzman is a real estate agent in Kalispell, Montana. She teaches golf to the boys and girls at Flathead High School. She is also a member of the Board of Trustees of School District 5 of the Kalispell Public Schools.[6] She has a tournament named after her at Buffalo Hill Golf Club:[7] the Alice Ritzman Golf Tournament.
Playoff record
LPGA Tour playoff record (0–3)
| No. | Year | Tournament | Opponent(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1981 | Coca-Cola Classic |  Kathy Whitworth |
Lost to birdie on second extra hole |
| 2 | 1981 | West Virginia Bank Classic | Susie McAllister Kathy Postlewait Penny Pulz Hollis Stacy |
Stacy won with birdie on first extra hole |
| 3 | 1986 | Rail Charity Classic | Cathy Gerring Betsy King |
King won with birdie on second extra hole |