Beth Daniel

2019 Honoree

This year’s honoree is Beth Daniel. Born in Charleston, S.C., she began playing golf at age six. Growing up in a golfing family, the Daniel’s were members at the Country Club of Charleston. Her dedication and determination advanced her through the amateur ranks. She played on one of the all-time best women’s college golf teams at Furman University winning the 1976 National Championship along with fellow future Hall of Famer Betsy King and future LPGA players Sherri Turner and Cindy Ferro.

During her amateur career she won the U.S. Women’s Amateur in 1975 and 1977. On July 15, 1978 Beth won the WWGA’s 78th National Amateur Championship when it was held at Fox Chapel Golf Club in Pittsburgh, Pa. It was an exciting finish as she and Noreen Uihlein were all square (or now called “tied”) at the end of the 36-hole final, Beth captured the championship title on the 38th hole. She played on two winning Curtis Cup Teams – in 1976 where she was 4 - 0 and in 1978.

At the end of 1978, at age 22, she turned Professional and joined the LPGA Tour in 1979. Her first victory came that year at the ‘Patty Berg Classic’ where she carded an -11 under par. That same year she received the “LPGA Rookie of the Year” award. Over the next five years she won 13 tournaments, four in 1980, receiving the “LPGA Tour Player of the Year” award which she received 10 years later, in 1990, and again in 1994.

Carol Semple Thompson, Sewickley, Pa. who received the award in 2004 stated:

“Great news that Beth is receiving the ‘Woman of Distinction Award’, so well-deserved! I first lost to Beth in the 1975 U.S. Women’s Amateur and knew then that she was destined for greatness. The 1978 Women’s Western at Fox Chapel in my hometown of Pittsburgh was such fun! I think most knew that Beth was the one to beat although Noreen gave her a run for her money.”

In 1980, she became the first LPGA Tour player to earn more than $200,000 in a single year and led the Tour in wins in 1982, 1990 and 1994. She was the LPGA Tour money winner in 1980, 1981 and 1990 and led in scoring three times including 1989 when she became only the second golfer to have a scoring average below 71.00 on the LPGA Tour.

The year 1990 was her most successful on Tour when she won seven times including her major at the Mazda LPGA Championship and finished second in six other LPGA Majors.

Throughout her career, Beth was recognized as having one of the purest golf swings! Her 29-year career brought 41 professional wins including 33 LPGA Tour wins, four ‘LPGA of Japan Tour’ wins and four other wins. In 2000, she was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Last year Beth was Co-Honorary Chairman of the U.S. Women’s Open at Country Club of Charleston where she hosts the ‘Beth Daniel Junior Azalea tournament’ annually.

Some other awards and achievements include: The Golf Writers Association of America ‘Female Player of the Year’ in 1980 and 1990; LPGA Vare Trophy (LPGA’s low scoring average) in 1989, 1990 and 1994; Associated Press ‘Female Athlete of the Year’ in 1990; inducted into the South Carolina Golf Hall of Fame in 1995; Played on eight U.S. Solheim Cup teams: 1990 (where she scored 3 points), 1992, 1994, 1996, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2005; in 2000, she was recognized during the LPGA’s 50th Anniversary as one of the LPGA’s top-50 players and teachers and she received the ‘LPGA Heather Farr Award’ in 2003.

In 2009, she capped her Hall of Fame career serving as Captain of the Solheim Cup when it was held at Rich Harvest Farms (outside Chicago) - her victorious U.S. team defeated Europe 16-12.

Each year she awards the Best Junior Female Golfer in South Carolina with the ‘Beth Daniel Award’ given to the player with the most South Carolina Junior Golf Association points in a year.

In 29 years, she never finished out of the top 90 on the money list.

Noreen Uihlein Mohler, Bethlehem, PA, 1978 Finalist said:

“I’m happy to hear Beth is getting the Women’s Western Award. I remember the first extra hole in the ’78 championship ... Beth hit it way off to the right but managed to make par. I can’t remember if she made par and I made bogey on the 38th hole, but she won. That was the second time she beat me in extra holes. Three years earlier, in 1975, we were in the semi-finals of the U.S. Women’s Amateur at Brae Burn Country Club in West Newton, Mass. – she beat me on the 19th hole! After the Western awards ceremony, Beth and I packed up my little Toyota Corolla (we were really squished) and headed to the Country Club of Indianapolis to the U.S. Women’s Open. After the Open we drove to the Apawamis Club in Rye, N.Y. where we played on the Curtis Cup Team; there we celebrated our win together as teammates! I send my best to Beth.”

Other professional recipients (beside Berg) who have received the award include Louise Suggs, Nancy Lopez, Peggy Kirk Bell, Betty Jameson, Wiffi Smith, Carol Mann, Kathy Whitworth, Mickey Wright, Emily Fletcher and Mary Hafeman. Amateur recipients: Carol Semple Thompson, Marlene Streit, Marlene Miller and WWGA Directors: June Beebe Atwood, Alice Dye, Judy Bell, Ann Upchurch, Co McArthur, Susan Wagner, and Audrey Peterson.