Sally Little: GOLF LEGEND
Achievements
Sally enjoyed a successful 28 year career as a professional golfer competing on the world stage. She won 15 LPGA titles, including two majors, the 1980 LPGA Championship and the 1988 Du Maurier Classic.
15 LPGA Titles
3 Majors
2 Second place finishes in the U.S. Open, one lost in playoff
2 Second place finishes in the British Open, one lost in playoff
15 Hole in Ones
Winner of 5 International Tournaments and 8 International Amateur Events
1970
South African Sportsman of the Year Award
South African State President’s Award for outstanding athletic achievements
1971
LPGA Rookie of the Year
1989
Winner of Golf Digest’s Ben Hogan Award for Comeback Player of the Year
1996
Inaugural South African Women’s Masters Champion
Legends Tour
Founding member of the Legends Tour, the official senior tour of the LPGA
Inducted into the LPGA Legends Tour Hall of Fame
2012
Awarded the Steve Tshwete Lifetime Achievement Award by the South African Sport Ministry
2016
Sally was the first female inducted into the South African Hall of Fame
Highlights
1982
Dinah Shore Champion
In acknowledgement of her many contributions to golf, television, film and recording, Dinah Shore was the first person to become an Honorary Member of the LPGA Hall of Fame in 1994.
The Dinah Shore Tournament is a professional women’s golf event on the LPGA Tour. In 1982, Sally won the championship with a score of 278 (-10 to par).
1988
Du Maurier Classic
At the 1988 Du Maurier Classic, one of five major championships in the women’s game, Sally delivered a career-defining performance.
After rounds of 74, 65 and 69: Little held a two-shot lead over Laura Davies heading into the final round.
Sally’s birdie putt on 18 completed a round of 71 for a 72-hole total of 279, nine strokes under par for the 6,361-yard Vancouver Golf Club course.
1989
Ben Hogan Award
The GWAA Ben Hogan Award has been given annually since 1954 “to an individual who has continued to be active in golf despite a physical handicap or serious illness.”
Sally struggled with endometriosis for several years and from 1982 took a break from golf.
GWAA voted Sally to be awarded the Ben Hogan Award and asked Dinah Shore to present it to her.
Celebrating A Trailblazer in the World of Golf
Hall of Fame
Southern Africa Golf Hall of Fame
In 2009, Sally was inducted into the inaugural class of the Southern Africa Golf Hall of Fame.
The Building of a Champion
It all starts with a good foundation. Setting goals helps build a house of confidence. Coaching keeps it all together. Visualisation primes the mind for success. Champions need attitude with a capital “A”… and discipline with a capital “D”.
~Sally Little~