Jan Stephenson, one of the greatest representatives of Australian women’s golf, was honored by the Golf of New South Wales who renamed the ‘Women NSW Open Championship Trophy’ into the ‘Jan Stephenson Trophy’
The award honors Jan Stephenson’s outstanding contribution to women’s golf, one of the best ever athletes in the history of New South Wales.
Jan Stephenson, statements
“I was so excited when I was told the Trophy would carry my name, and I still am now,” said Stephenson.
“This is one of the most important moments of my golf career. It is a great honor and I am grateful to Golf NSW for this recognition ”. Jan Stephenson began golfing on the central coast of New South Wales at Tuggerah Lakes Golf Club (now Shelly Beach) and Bonnie Doon in the Sydney metropolitan area where, as a junior, she won three consecutive NSW Junior Girls and three Australian Girls Amateur Crowns.
Turning pro in 1973, she Stephenson captured her first Australian women’s title the same year, and in 1974 she joined the LPGA Tour, taking the title of ‘Rookie of the Year’ Stephenson then became the face of the LPGA Tour between the mid-70s and the 80s, a time when she was also called the ‘Glamor Girl’ of golf.
“In 1976 I had just won a tournament in the United States, and the new commissioner of the LPGA proposed that I collaborate to promote women’s golf, so I appeared on the cover of several magazines. In the end, the result was positive and another 18 women’s tournaments were added ”.
Stephenson has won three majors in a career spanning nearly five decades. She has recorded victories on most of the prestigious professional tours of the world, including 16 on the LPGA, two on the WPGA (ALPG Tour), two on the LPGA of Japan and one on the Ladies European Tour (LET).
In the late 1990s, Jan Stephenson was instrumental in the creation of the Women’s Senior Golf Tour (now called the Legends of the LPGA Tour) in the United States. Stephenson recorded four wins on the same Tour, with her most recent success coming last year alongside Laura Diaz in the BJ’s Charity Championship.
Stephenson’s impact on golf extends far beyond the playing field. She has been a tireless ambassador for charities for many years, including the honorary presidency of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in the United States.
She is also an ambassador of golf for the blind and disabled through ISPS Handa. Finally, through her foundation of her ‘Jan Stephenson’ s Crossroads Foundation ‘she organizes initiatives in favor of blind and disabled veterans.
Inducted into the Sports Australia Hall of fame in 2005, Stephenson was also awarded an Order of Australia medal in 2018 for her contribution to sport. In 2019 Jan Stephenson was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.
Michael Medway, president of Golf NSW, said the organization is thrilled with this award to Jan Stephenson for her unwavering commitment to the sport both in Australia and abroad.
“Jan Stephenson’s influence on the development of women’s golf in Australia and around the world cannot be forgotten,” said Medway. “Pioneering women like Jan helped pave the way for our best golfers.
Today, the likes of Minjee Lee, Hannah Green, Kyriacou and Grace Kim are following in her footsteps, ”Medway added.
