JoAnne Carner

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JoAnne Carner
Personal information
Full nameJoAnne Gunderson Carner
NicknameThe Great Gundy,
Big Mama
Born (1939-04-04) April 4, 1939 (age 85)
Kirkland, Washington, U.S.
Height5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Sporting nationalityFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States
SpouseDon Carner
(m. 1963–99, his death)
Career
College Arizona State University
Turned professional1970
Former tour(s) LPGA Tour (1970–2005)
Professional wins49
Number of wins by tour
LPGA Tour43
Other6
Best results in LPGA major championships
(wins: 2)
Western Open T2: 1959
Titleholders C'ship T10: 1972
Chevron Championship T2: 1989
Women's PGA C'ship 2nd: 1974, 1982, 1992
U.S. Women's Open Won: 1971, 1976
du Maurier Classic 2nd/T2: 1980, 1983
Women's British Open DNP
Achievements and awards
World Golf Hall of Fame 1982 (member page)
LPGA Tour
Rookie of the Year
1970
LPGA Tour
Money Winner
1974, 1982, 1983
LPGA Tour
Player of the Year
1974, 1981, 1982
LPGA Vare Trophy 1974, 1975, 1981, 1982, 1983
USGA Bob Jones Award 1981
GWAA Female
Player of the Year
1982, 1983
LPGA William and
Mousie Powell Award
1995

JoAnne Gunderson Carner (born April 4, 1939) is an American former professional golfer. Her 43 victories on the LPGA Tour led to her induction in the World Golf Hall of Fame. She is the only woman to have won the U.S. Girls' Junior, U.S. Women's Amateur, and U.S. Women's Open titles, and was the first person to win three different USGA championship events. Tiger Woods is the only man to have won the equivalent three USGA titles. Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, and Carol Semple Thompson have also won three different USGA titles.

Contents

Carner was inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame in 1969. [1] In 1981, Carner was voted the Bob Jones Award, the highest honor given by the United States Golf Association in recognition of distinguished sportsmanship in golf. She captained the 1994 U.S. Solheim Cup team.

Amateur career

Born in Kirkland, Washington, a suburb east of Seattle, "The Great Gundy" (as she was known before she married Don Carner) remained an amateur until age 30. In 1960, while attending Arizona State University, she won the national intercollegiate individual golf championship. From 1956 to 1968, she was the dominant woman in amateur golf, and accumulated five U.S. Women's Amateur titles (1957, 1960, 1962, 1966, 1968), ranking her second only to Glenna Collett Vare who had six. She was runner-up two other times (1956, 1964). In 1966, Carner needed 5 extra holes (41 holes in total) to beat Marlene Stewart Streit in the longest final match in U.S. Women's Amateur history. [2] She also won the U.S. Girls' Junior in 1956.

While still an amateur in 1969, Carner won an LPGA Tour event, the Burdine's Invitational. [3] She was the last amateur to win on the LPGA Tour until 15-year-old New Zealander Lydia Ko won the CN Canadian Women's Open in 2012. [4]

Professional career

Carner's greatest professional victories were her two U.S. Women's Opens, in 1971 and 1976. She led after each round in 1971 and won easily, finishing seven shots better than Kathy Whitworth who finished in second. [5] In 1976, Carner needed an 18-hole playoff to defeat Sandra Palmer.

Big Mama (her other nickname) was the second player in LPGA history to cross the $1 million mark in career earnings. She had an unusually long career, remaining competitive through the late 1990s. During 2004, she still played 10 tournaments and became the oldest player to make a cut on the LPGA Tour at age 65. [6]

On July 29 and 30, 2021, Carner played in the U.S. Senior Women's Open at Brooklawn Country Club in Fairfield, Connecticut and shot her age (82) in the first round, and bettered that by shooting 79 in the second round. Although she did not make the cut, she became the fifth golfer ever to shoot their age or better multiple times in a USGA championship while also being the oldest golfer ever to play in a USGA championship. [7]

Personal

Carner is a graduate of Arizona State University, where she was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta. [8] She married Don Carner in 1963, and he also served as her coach and business manager. [9] They were married 36 years until his death at age 83 in 1999 after a long illness. [10] [11] The couple was known for driving from tournament to tournament and staying in an Airstream trailer. [9]

Amateur wins (7)

Professional wins (49)

LPGA Tour wins (43)

Legend
LPGA Tour major championships (2)
Other LPGA Tour (41)
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of victoryRunner(s)-up
1Jan 19, 1969 Burdine's Invitational [1] E (73-73-70=216)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Shirley Englehorn
2Sep 12, 1970 Wendell-West Open −2 (72-73-69=214)Playoff Flag of the United States.svg Marilynn Smith
3Jun 27, 1971 U.S. Women's Open E (70-73-72-73=288)7 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Kathy Whitworth
4Aug 1, 1971 Bluegrass Invitational −6 (71-71-68=210)3 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Sandra Haynie
5May 19, 1974 Bluegrass Invitational (2)−4 (72-70-73=215)Playoff Flag of the United States.svg Sandra Spuzich
6May 26, 1974 Hoosier LPGA Classic −6 (73-72-68=213)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Donna Caponi
Flag of the United States.svg Judy Rankin
7Jun 9, 1974 Desert Inn Classic −4 (74-68-72-70=284)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Carole Jo Kabler
8Aug 18, 1974 St. Paul Open −7 (68-70-74=212)4 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Laura Baugh
9Sep 8, 1974 Dallas Civitan Open +1 (71-72-74=217)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Kathy Whitworth
10Sep 29, 1974 Portland Ladies Classic −5 (70-70-71=211)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Donna Caponi
11May 25, 1975 American Defender Classic −10 (69-68-69=206)Playoff Flag of the United States.svg Judy Rankin
12Jun 8, 1975 Girl Talk Classic −6 (68-72-73=213)6 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Sandra Spuzich
13Jun 29, 1975 Peter Jackson Classic −5 (73-69-72=214)Playoff Flag of the United States.svg Carol Mann
14Feb 15, 1976 Orange Blossom Classic (2)−7 (65-71-73=209)Playoff Flag of the United States.svg Sandra Palmer
15June 21, 1976 Lady Tara Classic −10 (72-67-70=209)3 strokes Flag of Argentina.svg Silvia Bertolaccini
16Jun 20, 1976 Hoosier Classic (2)−6 (72-70-68=210)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Debbie Austin
Flag of the United States.svg Pat Bradley
17Jul 11, 1976 U.S. Women's Open (2)+8 (71-71-77-73=292)Playoff Flag of the United States.svg Sandra Palmer
18Jun 5, 1977 Talk Tournament '77 −4 (72-70-68-74=284)5 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Kathy McMullen
19Jul 17, 1977 Borden Classic −9 (66-70-71=207)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Pat Meyers
20Sep 11, 1977 National Jewish Hospital Open −6 (69-72-69=210)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Hollis Stacy
21Jul 4, 1978 Peter Jackson Classic (2)−14 (73-70-71-64=278)8 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Hollis Stacy
22Jul 16, 1978 Borden Classic (2)−7 (71-67-71=2091 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Betsy King
Flag of the United States.svg Pat Bradley
23Mar 18, 1979 Honda Civic Classic −7 (72-71-69-69=281)3 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Pat Bradley
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Sandra Post
24Apr 1, 1979 Women's Kemper Open +2 (72-71-72-71=286)Playoff Flag of the United States.svg Donna Caponi
Flag of Japan.svg Hisako Higuchi
Flag of the United States.svg Nancy Lopez
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jan Stephenson
25Feb 4, 1980 Whirlpool Championship of Deer Creek −10 (69-71-69-73=282)2 strokes Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Sandra Post
26Feb 24, 1980 Bent Tree Ladies Classic −8 (72-71-68-69=280)1 stroke Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Sandra Post
27Mar, 9, 1980 Sunstar Classic −9 (69-71-67=207)3 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Debbie Massey
Flag of the United States.svg Kathy Postlewait
28Mar 16, 1980 Honda Civic Golf Classic (2)−71-69-70-69=279)4 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Judy Rankin
29Jun 22, 1980 Lady Keystone Open −9 (67-69-71=207)4 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Jo Ann Washam
30Feb 15, 1981 S&H Golf Classic (2)−1 (69-74-72=215)Playoff Flag of the United States.svg Dot Germain
31Jun 21, 1981 Lady Keystone Open (2)−13 (68-69-66=203)8 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Martha Nause
32Aug 30, 1981 Columbia Savings LPGA Classic (2)−10 (70-70-67-71=278)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Janet Anderson
Flag of the United States.svg Patty Sheehan
Flag of the United States.svg Kathy Whitworth
33Sep 7, 1981 Rail Charity Golf Classic −11 (70-69-66=205)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Kyle O'Brien
34Feb 7, 1982 Elizabeth Arden Classic (2)−5 (70-70-71-72=283)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Jo Ann Washam
35Jun 6, 1982 McDonald's Classic −12 (68-73-68-67=276)6 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Sandra Haynie
36Aug 22, 1982 Chevrolet World Championship of Women's Golf −4 (72-70-71-71=284)5 strokes Flag of Japan.svg Ayako Okamoto
37Aug 29, 1982 Henredon Classic −6 (70-71-69-72=282)Playoff Flag of the United States.svg Sandra Haynie
38Sep 6, 1982 Rail Charity Golf Classic (2)−14 (69-66-67=202)6 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Susie McAllister
39Aug 21, 1983 Chevrolet World Championship of Women's Golf (2)−6 (73-73-67-69=282)2 strokes Flag of Japan.svg Ayako Okamoto
40Sep 11, 1983 Portland Ping Championship (2)−4 (72-70-70=212)Playoff Flag of Sweden.svg Charlotte Montgomery
41May 27, 1984 LPGA Corning Classic −7 (71-69-71-70=281)4 strokes Flag of Japan.svg Ayako Okamoto
42Feb 3, 1985 Elizabeth Arden Classic (3)−8 (70-66-74-70=280)6 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Jane Blalock
43Sep 15, 1985 Safeco Classic −9 (71-71-69-68=279)2 strokes Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jan Stephenson

1 Carner won the Burdine's Invitational as an amateur.

Note: Carner won the Peter Jackson Classic (which became the du Maurier Classic) twice before it became a major championship.

LPGA Tour playoff record (10–10)

No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
11970 Wendell-West Open Flag of the United States.svg Marilynn Smith Won with bogey on first extra hole
21974 Bluegrass Invitational Flag of the United States.svg Sandra Spuzich Won with bogey on first extra hole
31975 Birmingham Classic Flag of the United States.svg Maria Astrologes
Flag of the United States.svg Judy Rankin
Astrolges won with birdie on first extra hole
41975 American Defender Classic Flag of the United States.svg Judy Rankin Won with par on first extra hole
51975 Peter Jackson Classic Flag of the United States.svg Carol Mann Won with birdie on second extra hole
61976 Orange Blossom Classic Flag of the United States.svg Sandra Palmer Won with par on fourth extra hole
71976 U.S. Women's Open Flag of the United States.svg Sandra Palmer Won an 18-hole playoff (Carner:76, Palmer.:78)
81976 Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Classic Flag of the United States.svg Mary Lou Crocker
Flag of the United States.svg Sandra Palmer
Flag of England.svg Michelle Walker
Palmer won with birdie on third extra hole
Crocker and Walker eliminated by par on first hole
91978 Coca-Cola Classic Flag of the United States.svg Nancy Lopez Lost to par on first extra hole
101979 Women's Kemper Open Flag of the United States.svg Donna Caponi
Flag of Japan.svg Chako Higuchi
Flag of the United States.svg Nancy Lopez
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Jan Stephenson
Won with par on second extra hole
Caponi, Lopez, and Stephenson eliminated by par on first hole
111979 Florida Lady Citrus Flag of the United States.svg Jane Blalock Lost to par on second extra hole
121981 Elizabeth Arden Classic Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Sally Little
Flag of the United States.svg Judy Rankin
Little won with par on third extra hole
Carner eliminated by par on second hole
131981 S&H Golf Classic Flag of the United States.svg Dot Germain Won with par on first extra hole
141982 Whirlpool Championship of Deer Creek Flag of the United States.svg Hollis Stacy Lost to birdie on fifth extra hole
151982 Henredon Classic Flag of the United States.svg Sandra Haynie Won with par on fifth extra hole
161983 McDonald's Kids Classic Flag of the United States.svg Beth Daniel Lost to birdie on first extra hole
171983 Portland Ping Championship Flag of Sweden.svg Charlotte Montgomery Won with birdie on first extra hole
181986 Henredon Classic Flag of the United States.svg Betsy King Lost to par on second extra hole
191987 U.S. Women's Open Flag of England.svg Laura Davies
Flag of Japan.svg Ayako Okamoto
Davies won 18-hole playoff (Davies:71, Carner:73, Okamoto:74)
201993 HealthSouth Palm Beach Classic Flag of the United States.svg Tammie Green Lost to birdie on first extra hole

Other wins (6)

Major championships

Wins (2)

YearChampionshipWinning scoreMarginRunner-up
1971 U.S. Women's Open E (70-73-72-73=288)7 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Kathy Whitworth
1976 U.S. Women's Open +8 (71-71-77-73=292)Playoff1 Flag of the United States.svg Sandra Palmer

1 In an 18-hole playoff, Carner 76, Palmer 78.

Results timeline

Tournament1962197019711972197319741975197619771978
LPGA Championship T639T12T472T9T54
U.S. Women's Open T15T211T29T49T4T313T2
Tournament197919801981198219831984198519861987198819891990
Nabisco Dinah Shore............T4T5T26T42T47T12T2T31
LPGA Championship T6T3T52T4T56CUTT40T28T18T54DQ
U.S. Women's Open T10T6T2T2T20T48T35T2T16T1718
du Maurier Classic 2T7T3T25T29T14CUTT10CUT
Tournament1991199219931994199519961997199819992000
Nabisco Dinah Shore CUTT17T40T48CUTT79CUTT18CUT
LPGA Championship 8T2T37T26T38CUTCUTCUTCUT
U.S. Women's Open T11T42T11T31CUTCUTCUT
du Maurier Classic T69CUTT71CUTCUTCUTCUTT53CUT
Tournament20012002200320042005
Kraft Nabisco ChampionshipDQCUTT70CUT
LPGA Championship CUTCUTCUT
U.S. Women's Open
Women's British Open ^

† The Kraft Nabisco Championship was the Nabisco Dinah Shore Championship through 1999. It became the Nabisco Championship in 2000 and adopted the Kraft Nabisco Championship name in 2002.
^The Women's British Open replaced the du Maurier Classic as an LPGA major in 2001.

  Win
  Top 10
  Did not play

CUT = missed the half-way cut
DQ = disqualified
... = not yet a major
"T" = tied for place

Summary

TournamentWins2nd3rdTop-5Top-10Top-25EventsCuts made
Kraft Nabisco Championship 0103362114
LPGA Championship 031812143223
U.S. Women's Open 242911192825
du Maurier Classic 0214671911
Totals210424324610073

Team appearances

Amateur

Professional

See also

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References

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  2. Ward, Andrew (1999). Golf's Strangest Rounds. London: Robson Books. pp. 198–200. ISBN   1861051840.
  3. Ryan, Pat (February 10, 1969). "Gundy's victory was no fluke". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on February 3, 2020. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
  4. "Lydia Ko, 15, wins in Canada". ESPN. August 26, 2012. Retrieved August 26, 2012.
  5. "2006 U.S. Women's Open Championship". 2006. Retrieved September 1, 2007.
  6. Bastable, Alan (February 28, 2005). "Following Up With 'Big Mama': JoAnne Carner". USGA. Archived from the original on June 15, 2010. Retrieved July 6, 2010.
  7. Schreiber, Max. "JoAnne Carner, 82, sets records at U.S. Senior Women's Open despite missing cut". Microsoft News. Retrieved July 31, 2021.
  8. "Blog".
  9. 1 2 Pileggi, Sarah (October 21, 1974). "Golden Goad For The Great Gundy". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on June 28, 2013. Retrieved June 24, 2013.
  10. "Washington's finest, JoAnne Carner, returns home for LPGA Legends event". The Seattle Times. July 28, 2012. Archived from the original on December 16, 2013. Retrieved June 24, 2013.
  11. "Golf's Not Top Priority As Carner Returns To Course". The Seattle Times. January 12, 1997. Retrieved June 24, 2013.