Vivien Inez Saunders, OBE (born 24 November 1946) is a retired English professional golfer, known after winning the Women's British Open in 1977.[1][2] She had a successful amateur career, appearing in the 1968 Curtis Cup. She has published a number of golf books and instructional videos.
| Vivien Saunders OBE | |
|---|---|
| Personal information | |
| Full name | Vivien Inez Saunders |
| Born | 24 November 1946 Sutton, Surrey, England |
| Sporting nationality |  England |
| Career | |
| Turned professional | 1969 |
| Former tour(s) | LPGA Tour |
Early years
editSaunders was born in Sutton, Surrey on 24 November 1946 and educated at Nonsuch County High School, Cheam, Surrey.
Golf career
editSaunders was runner-up to Liz Chadwick in the 1966 British Ladies Amateur Golf Championship, losing 3 & 2 in the final.
Saunders turned professional in early 1969 and became the first European to qualify for the LPGA Tour later in 1969.[3]
Other achievements
editShe was editor of Lady Golfer for several years, also the founder of the Women's Professional Golf Association[4] and the European Women's Tour. She was made honorary life member of PGA and Women's European Tour but had to resign from both to regain amateur status and play. Previously on Executive Committee of PGA, Chairman Women's PGA. She was a council member of National Coaching Foundation from 1993 to 1997. She has twice won the British Sports Coach of the Year Award.
In 1986, she bought Abbotsley Golf Club, near St Neots, Cambridgeshire. She is the chairman of the Association of Golf Course Owners.[5]
Saunders was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to women's golf in the 1998 New Year Honours.[6][7][8]
In the 2015 general election, she ran against Prime Minister David Cameron in Witney for the Reduce VAT in Sport party, which she also led.[9][10]
Amateur wins
edit- 1967 Avia Foursomes (with Bridget Jackson)
Professional wins
edit- 1977 Women's British Open[11]
- 1978 Avia Foursomes (with Mary Everard)
- 1980 British Car Auctions Tournament (tied with Bridget Cooper)[12]
- Keighley Trophy
- four tournaments in Australia
Team appearances
editAmateur
- Curtis Cup (representing Great Britain & Ireland): 1968
- European Ladies' Team Championship (representing England): 1967 (winners)
- Commonwealth Trophy (representing Great Britain): 1967 (winners)
- Vagliano Trophy (representing Great Britain & Ireland): 1967
References
edit- ^ Harris, Cathy (15 July 2013). "Top golfer Vivien Saunders attacks decision to stage Open at club that excludes women". The Sunday Times.
- ^ Lennox, Doug (6 December 2013). Now You Know Absolutely Everything: Absolutely every Now You Know book in a single ebook. Dundurn. p. 1182. ISBN 9781459724785.
- ^ Bundy, Bobby (11 October 2015). Best Senior Golf Secrets Revealed. Lulu Press. p. 188. ISBN 9781329615229.
- ^ "Peter Alliss: Golf equality for women 'causing mayhem". BBC Sport. 7 April 2015. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
- ^ Gribben, Roland (3 November 2014). "Push to drive golf out of its bunker on course – but buyers wait in the wings". The Telegraph. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
- ^ "Officers of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire". The Times. 31 December 1997. p. 8.
- ^ "Sir Tom joins Sir Stanley and Sir Bobby". The Times. 31 December 1997. p. 44.
- ^ United Kingdom list: "No. 54993". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 30 December 1997. p. 13.
- ^ "The 9 oddest political parties and candidates in the General Election". 30 April 2015.
- ^ "Registration Summary: Reduce VAT in Sport". The Electoral Commission. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
- ^ "Championship History". Archived from the original on 19 August 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
- ^ "Baiocchi's eagle pips Gallacher". Aberdeen Press and Journal. 22 March 1980. p. 19. Retrieved 28 September 2020 – via British Newspaper Archive.