Amy Alcott
American professional golfer (born 1956)
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Amy Alcott (born February 22, 1956) is an American professional golfer[1] and golf course designer. She became a member of the LPGA Tour in 1975, and won five major championships and 29 LPGA Tour events in all. She is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame. She was a part of the architectural team that designed the golf course for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.[2]
United States| Amy Alcott | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born | February 22, 1956 Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. | ||||||
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) | ||||||
| Sporting nationality | United States | ||||||
| Residence | Santa Monica, California, U.S. | ||||||
| Career | |||||||
| Turned professional | 1975 | ||||||
| Current tour | LPGA Tour (joined 1975) | ||||||
| Professional wins | 34 | ||||||
| Number of wins by tour | |||||||
| LPGA Tour | 29 | ||||||
| LPGA of Japan Tour | 3 | ||||||
| Other | 3 | ||||||
| Best results in LPGA major championships (wins: 5) | |||||||
| Chevron Championship | Won: 1983, 1988, 1991 | ||||||
| Women's PGA C'ship | 2nd: 1978, 1988 | ||||||
| U.S. Women's Open | Won: 1980 | ||||||
| du Maurier Classic | Won: 1979 | ||||||
| Women's British Open | DNP | ||||||
| Evian Championship | DNP | ||||||
| Achievements and awards | |||||||
| |||||||
Professional career
Alcott was born in Kansas City, Missouri, and is Jewish.[3]
She won the U.S. Girls' Junior in 1973,[4] She turned pro in 1975 at age 18, directly upon graduating from Palisades High School in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles.[5] Her first victory came in her third start as a professional at the Orange Blossom Classic on the LPGA Tour.[6] She went on to be named LPGA Tour Rookie of the Year.[4] Alcott won four tournaments in a year three times, in 1979, 1980, and 1984. Her best year came in 1980, when in addition to those four victories she also won the LPGA Vare Trophy for lowest scoring average, finished second five times and was in the Top 10 in 21 out of 28 tournaments played.[7]
Alcott's first major championship victory came at the 1979 Peter Jackson Classic (later renamed the du Maurier Classic). She went on to win the U.S. Women's Open in 1980 and the Nabisco Dinah Shore in three times, in 1983, 1988, and 1991. The 1991 Nabisco Dinah Shore was her final victory on the LPGA Tour. After her win at the 1988 Dinah Shore, Alcott initiated what is now a tradition of the winner leaping into Poppie's Pond to celebrate.[8]
That win was the 29th of her career.[4] At the time, the LPGA Hall of Fame required at least 30 career wins for entry. Alcott chased for the 30th win in vain over the next several years.[1] In 1999, the LPGA switched to a points-based criteria under which Alcott gained admission and she was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.[7]
Alcott is also a member of the National Jewish Museum Sports Hall of Fame, and the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.[9]
From 2002 to 2004, the Office Depot Championship Hosted by Amy Alcott was a part of the LPGA Tour.
Following the end of her touring days, Alcott started working in golf course design and also hosted a satellite radio program. She has written an instructional book and taped an instructional video.
In July 2007, Alcott accepted the position as girls' golf coach at Harvard-Westlake School in North Hollywood, California.[7]
Professional wins (33)
LPGA Tour wins (29)
| Legend |
|---|
| LPGA Tour major championships (5) |
| Other LPGA Tour (24) |
| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | Margin of victory |
Runner(s)-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Feb 23, 1975 | Orange Blossom Classic | −9 (68-69-71=207) | 1 stroke |  Sandra Post |
| 2 | May 23, 1976 | '76 LPGA Classic | −4 (71-71-67=209) | 1 stroke |  Jane Blalock |
| 3 | Nov 27, 1976 | Colgate Far East Open | −5 (72-72-67=211) | 1 stroke | Donna Caponi |
| 4 | Oct 9, 1977 | Houston Exchange Clubs Classic | −8 (68-70-70=208) | 5 strokes | Carol Mann Kathy Postlewait Donna White |
| 5 | Apr 23, 1978 | American Defender Classic | −10 (71-67-68=206) | Playoff | Hollis Stacy |
| 6 | Feb 18, 1979 | Elizabeth Arden Classic | −3 (70-70-72-73=285) | Playoff | Sandra Post |
| 7 | Jul 29, 1979 | Peter Jackson Classic | −7 (75-70-70-70=285) | 3 strokes | Nancy Lopez |
| 8 | Oct 14, 1979 | United Virginia Bank Classic | −2 (70-70-73-73=286) | 1 stroke | Susie McAllister |
| 9 | Nov 3, 1979 | Mizuno Japan Classic1 | −11 (71-73-67=211) | 1 stroke | Sandra Post |
| 10 | Apr 13, 1980 | American Defender/WRAL Classic | −10 (68-69-69=206) | 4 strokes | Donna Caponi |
| 11 | Jul 6, 1980 | Mayflower Classic | −13 (69-65-72-69=275) | 3 strokes | JoAnne Carner Sally Little |
| 12 | Jul 13, 1980 | U.S. Women's Open | −5 (70-70-68-72=280) | 9 strokes | Hollis Stacy |
| 13 | Oct 12, 1980 | Inamori Golf Classic | −12 (69-69-72-70=280) | 4 strokes | Beth Daniel Patty Hayes |
| 14 | Feb 22, 1981 | Bent Tree Ladies Classic | −12 (71-67-71-67=276) | 1 stroke | JoAnne Carner |
| 15 | May 10, 1981 | Lady Michelob | −7 (69-74-66=209) | 1 stroke | Sally Little |
| 16 | Mar 28, 1982 | Women's Kemper Open | −6 (72-74-69-71=286) | 1 stroke | JoAnne Carner |
| 17 | Apr 3, 1983 | Nabisco Dinah Shore | −6 (70-70-70-72=282) | 2 strokes | Beth Daniel Kathy Whitworth |
| 18 | May 13, 1984 | United Virginia Bank Classic | −6 (71-70-69=210) | 2 strokes | Cathy Marino |
| 19 | Jul 1, 1984 | Lady Keystone Open | −8 (74-69-65=208) | 1 stroke | Juli Inkster Martha Nause |
| 20 | Sep 9, 1984 | Portland Ping Championship | −4 (69-73-71=212) | 3 strokes | Kathy Guadagnino |
| 21 | Sep 23, 1984 | San Jose Classic | −8 (69-70-72=211) | 2 strokes | Betsy King Beverly Klass Pat Meyers Kathy Whitworth |
| 22 | Feb 24, 1985 | Circle K Tucson Open | −9 (74-69-69-67=279) | 1 stroke | Betsy King |
| 23 | May 5, 1985 | Moss Creek Women's Invitational | −4 (72-70-73-69=284) | 4 strokes | Juli Inkster Nancy Lopez Kathy Postlewait Patty Sheehan |
| 24 | Aug 18, 1985 | Nestle World Championship of Women's Golf | −14 (65-70-70-69=274) | Playoff | Patty Sheehan |
| 25 | Jul 6, 1986 | Mazda Hall of Fame Championship | −4 (70-70-72-72=284) | Playoff | Lauren Howe |
| 26 | Aug 3, 1986 | LPGA National Pro-Am | −5 (72-69-72-70=283) | 1 stroke | Pat Bradley Christa Johnson |
| 27 | Apr 3, 1988 | Nabisco Dinah Shore | −14 (71-66-66-71=274) | 2 strokes | Colleen Walker |
| 28 | Jul 23, 1989 | Boston Five Classic | −16 (68-68-68-68=272) | 3 strokes | Cathy Marino |
| 29 | Mar 31, 1991 | Nabisco Dinah Shore | −15 (67-70-68-68=273) | 8 strokes | Dottie Mochrie |
1Co-sanctioned by the LPGA of Japan Tour
LPGA Tour playoff record (4–5)
| No. | Year | Tournament | Opponent(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1975 | Charity Golf Classic | Sandra Haynie Judy Rankin |
Haynie won with par on fourth extra hole Rankin eliminated by par on first hole |
| 2 | 1978 | American Defender Classic | Hollis Stacy |
Won with birdie on first extra hole |
| 3 | 1979 | Elizabeth Arden Classic | Sandra Post |
Won with eagle on third extra hole |
| 4 | 1980 | CPC Women's International | Hollis Stacy |
Lost to birdie on first extra hole |
| 5 | 1981 | Inamori Classic | Donna Caponi Hollis Stacy Jan Stephenson |
Stacy won with birdie on first extra hole |
| 6 | 1985 | Nestle World Championship of Women's Golf | Patty Sheehan |
Won with birdie on second extra hole |
| 7 | 1985 | LPGA National Pro-Am | Pat Bradley |
Lost to birdie on second extra hole |
| 8 | 1986 | Mazda Hall of Fame Championship | Lauren Howe |
Won with birdie on first extra hole |
| 9 | 1986 | Konica San Jose Classic | Betsy King Ayako Okamoto Patty Sheehan |
Sheehan won with birdie on first extra hole |
LPGA of Japan Tour wins (3)
- 1979 Mizuno Japan Classic1
- 1980 Pioneer Cup
- 1981 Mitsukoshi Ladies Open
1Co-sanctioned by the LPGA Tour
Other wins (2)
- 1981 Mr. Goodwrench Invitational (with Larry Nelson)
- 1986 Mazda Champions (with Bob Charles)
Legends Tour wins (1)
- 2019 ANA Inspiration Legends Day
Major championships
Wins (5)
| Year | Championship | Winning score | Margin | Runner(s)-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Peter Jackson Classic | −7 (75-70-70-70=285) | 3 strokes | Nancy Lopez |
| 1980 | U.S. Women's Open | −4 (70-70-68-72=280) | 9 strokes | Hollis Stacy |
| 1983 | Nabisco Dinah Shore | −6 (70-70-70-72=282) | 2 strokes | Beth Daniel, Kathy Whitworth |
| 1988 | Nabisco Dinah Shore | −14 (71-66-66-71=274) | 2 strokes | Colleen Walker |
| 1991 | Nabisco Dinah Shore | −15 (67-70-68-68=273) | 8 strokes | Dottie Mochrie |
Results timeline
Results not in chronological order before 2015.
| Tournament | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women's PGA Championship | CUT | CUT | T34 | 2 | 3 | T10 |
| U.S. Women's Open | 18 | T5 | T4 | T12 | T37 | 1 |
| du Maurier Classic | 1 | T10 | ||||
| Tournament | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANA Inspiration | 1 | T10 | T31 | T14 | T11 | 1 | T62 | T34 | ||
| Women's PGA Championship | 9 | T5 | T26 | T52 | T8 | T15 | T9 | 2 | T14 | T46 |
| U.S. Women's Open | T19 | T13 | T11 | T3 | 11 | T5 | T12 | T41 | T26 | T9 |
| du Maurier Classic | T25 | WD | T13 | T10 | 3 | T8 | T14 | T4 | T4 | CUT |
| Tournament | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANA Inspiration | 1 | T32 | T56 | T58 | CUT | T23 | T57 | T40 | T33 | CUT |
| Women's PGA Championship | 10 | T10 | CUT | T7 | CUT | CUT | T67 | CUT | CUT | CUT |
| U.S. Women's Open | 3 | T13 | T26 | T6 | T63 | CUT | CUT | |||
| du Maurier Classic | T44 | CUT | T25 | T14 | T33 | T36 | T52 | CUT | CUT | T65 |
| Tournament | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANA Inspiration | CUT | T68 | CUT | 77 | CUT | CUT | CUT | CUT | ||
| Women's PGA Championship | T54 | CUT | WD | |||||||
| U.S. Women's Open | ||||||||||
| Women's British Open ^ |
| Tournament | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANA Inspiration | CUT | CUT | CUT | ||
| Women's PGA Championship | |||||
| U.S. Women's Open | |||||
| Women's British Open ^ | |||||
| The Evian Championship ^^ | |||||
^ The Women's British Open replaced the du Maurier Classic as an LPGA major in 2001.
^^ The Evian Championship was added as a major in 2013.
CUT = missed the half-way cut.
WD = withdrew
"T" = tied
Summary
| Tournament | Wins | 2nd | 3rd | Top-5 | Top-10 | Top-25 | Events | Cuts made |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ANA Inspiration | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 29 | 18 |
| Women's PGA Championship | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 13 | 29 | 19 |
| U.S. Women's Open | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 16 | 23 | 21 |
| Women's British Open | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| The Evian Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| du Maurier Classic | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 12 | 22 | 17 |
| Totals | 5 | 2 | 4 | 17 | 30 | 48 | 103 | 75 |
- Most consecutive cuts made – 31 (1983 Nabisco Dinah Shore – 1990 U.S. Women's Open)
- Longest streak of top-10s – 5 (1979 du Maurier Classic – 1981 LPGA)
Team appearances
Professional
- Handa Cup (representing the United States): 2006 (winners), 2007 (winners), 2008 (winners), 2009 (winners), 2010 (winners)