Legendary coach Goldie Bateson dies

Goldie M. Bateson, a member of the LPGA Teaching and Club Professional (T&CP) Division since its inception in 1959 and a pioneer in the golf teaching industry, died Saturday, Feb. 1, in Brookfield, Wis., after a short illness. She was 87 years old.

"Goldie was a brave, courageous person who inspired many people," said LPGA T&CP National President Patti Benson. "She was such a strong contributing force to the LPGA T&CP Division. She loved the LPGA so much and gave her all to the game. I know she was pleased to be inducted to the LPGA T&CP Hall of Fame and so honored to be recognized in front of her peers during the ceremony in 2002."

Born Sept. 9, 1915, in Milwaukee, Wis., Bateson had a successful amateur career. She began playing golf in 1928 at the age of 13 and in the same year won the Wisconsin State Junior Golf Championship. Bateson was a five-time Milwaukee Women's District Golf champion and two-time Wisconsin State Women's Golf champion. From 1934-40, she participated in the Women's Western, Trans-Mississippi and U.S. Women's Amateur Golf Championships.

Bateson had been an active member of the LPGA since she turned pro in 1954. She became the first female head golf professional in Wisconsin when she went to work at the W.A. Roberts Golf Course in 1956. In the early 1960s, she participated in the First National Teaching Schools, both as a student and an instructor. Bateson aided junior youth programs, local recreation departments and the YMCA, as well as coaching golf in high school. In addition, she sponsored golf seminars in Milwaukee and trained and taught nine assistant golf professionals.

In 1965, she was recognized as the LPGA National Teacher of the Year. In 1978, Bateson achieved Master Professional classification, the most distinguished and highest classification for an LPGA T&CP Class A member. Bateson also served as the LPGA T&CP Midwest Section president and on the LPGA Teaching Committee from 1976-78. In 1981, she was inducted into the Wisconsin State Golf Hall of Fame.

In 1983, Bateson was named Honorary Golf Consultant to the National Golf Foundation. In 1984, she received the National Golf Foundation's Outstanding Service Award. Bateson was the 1993 recipient of the LPGA's Ellen Griffin Rolex Award. During the LPGA's 50th Anniversary celebration in 2000, Bateson was recognized as one of the LPGA's top 50 players and teachers. In 2002, she was inducted into the LPGA T&CP Hall of Fame.

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