Class of 1979

Betty Jameson

Professional Player

Thank you to the Texas Golf Association for funding this digital museum exhibit, and to the USGA and World Golf Hall of Fame for providing photos and artifacts.

Biography

Tall, blonde Betty Jameson was known as the LPGA’s first glamour girl, although she credits the stylish dress of most Dallas women golfers for her attitude toward on-course attire. Jameson made her mark on women’s amateur golf in Texas when she won the state Publinx Tourney at age 13. Jameson graduated from Dallas' Sunset High School in 1939.

Dallas pro Francis Schider tutored Betty in golf as a youngster. When she moved to San Antonio to work for the San Antonio Light newspaper, she studied with San Antonio Country Club head golf professional (and fellow Texas Golf Hall of Fame Member), Tod Menefee. As a collegian at the University of Texas, she sought the counsel of TGHoF member Harvey Penick. After winning the Southern Amateur at age 15 and a pair of U.S. Women’s Amateur championships in 1939 and 1940. She became the first player to win the Western Open in 1942 and Western Amateur in the same year. In 1947, two years after turning pro, Betty won the Women’s U.S. Open with a 295 total. It was the first time a female golfer had broken 300 in the 72-hole event.

She won three major championships and a total of thirteen events during her career, one as amateur and twelve as a professional.

Jameson was a founder and charter member of the LPGA and was the woman who conceived the idea for the Vare Trophy for the Tour’s best scoring average. In 1952, Betty Jameson donated the cup, which bears the name of Glenna Volett Vare.

She is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Birthplace: Norman, Oklahoma

Born: May 19, 1919

Died: February 7, 2009

Legacy Video

Inductee Highlights

Amateur

1932 Texas Publinx Champion at age 13
1934 Women's Southern Amateur Champion at age 15
1936, 1937, 1938, 1939 Texas State Amateur Champion
1938 Women's Texas Open
1939 and 1940 - U.S. Women's Amateur Champion
1940 and 1942 - Women's Western Amateur Champion
1947 - U.S. Women's Open Champion

Turned Professional 1945

Won 13 professional events, including three majors:
- 1942 and 1954 Women's Western Open
- 1947 U.S. Women's Open (as amateur)
One of thirteen women who founded the LPGA in 1950
Leading money winner 1947, 1953
Texas Sports Hall of Fame 1967
World Golf Hall of Fame 1998
International Women's Sports Hall of Fame 1999

Stellar Amateur Career

Betty Jameson had a remarkable amateur golf career, establishing herself as one of the sport's brightest talents before turning professional. She gained national attention by winning the Southern Championship at just 13 years old. Jameson won the Texas Golf Association State Amateur four consecutive years, 1936, 1937, 1938, and 1939, and won the U.S. Women’s Amateur title in 1939 and 1940, showcasing her consistency and competitive spirit. In 1939, she also won the Western Amateur, further solidifying her status as a dominant force in women’s amateur golf. Her early achievements helped pave the way for the growth of women’s golf in America and set the stage for her successful professional career. (Trophies left to right - Women's Western, U.S. Women's Amateur and Trans Miss)

Betty Jameson, The Artist!

In addition to her illustrious golf career, Betty Jameson was a talented artist who had a deep passion for painting. She often turned to art as a creative outlet and a means of personal expression, especially later in life. Her works included landscapes, portraits, and abstract pieces, reflecting her thoughtful and introspective nature. Jameson’s artistic pursuits offered a quieter counterbalance to the competitive world of golf. Her dual legacy in athletics and the arts showcased the depth of her talents and her enduring creative spirit.

One of the Thirteen Founders of the LPGA

The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) was founded in 1950 by a trailblazing group of 13 women who were determined to create greater opportunities for female golfers. These pioneering athletes—Alice Bauer, Patty Berg, Bettye Danoff, Helen Dettweiler, Marlene Hagge, Helen Hicks, Opal Hill, Betty Jameson, Sally Sessions, Marilynn Smith, Shirley Spork, Louise Suggs, and Babe Zaharias—laid the groundwork for what would become the longest-running women's professional sports organization in the world. Each founder brought unique talents, charisma, and a shared vision of elevating women’s golf. Their efforts not only advanced the sport but also opened doors for generations of female athletes to compete at the highest level. Their courage, resilience, and commitment to equality helped shape the modern landscape of women’s professional sports.

World Golf Hall of Fame Member

Betty Jameson's exceptional contributions to golf were honored with her induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1998. This recognition celebrated her remarkable achievements, including three major championships and a total of thirteen professional victories. As one of the 13 founding members of the LPGA in 1950, Jameson played a pivotal role in shaping women's professional golf. Her induction into the Hall of Fame underscored her enduring legacy and the significant impact she had on the sport.