Class of 2010

Frances Trimble

Distinguished Service

Biography

Born on July 30, 1943 in Laredo, Texas, Frances attended her first Texas Open about age 8. It was a family outing and while the adults followed golf, Frances dropped a line off a bridge behind Brack Park’s 18th green. She caught nothing but the attention of pros crossing the bridge who signed autographs, which was the whole point.

Trimble learned golf at Casa Blanca CC in Laredo from pro “Lefty” Stackhouse and never heard him curse or yell. These were good times but her dad died in 1956 and her life changed. The family moved to San Antonio and eventually Frances graduated from MacArthur High School where she was a flag twirler and finalist in the Miss San Antonio contest.

Work experience started at San Antonio State Hospital, then Baptist Memorial Hospital. She met and married former University of Texas golfer John F. Trimble in 1965, moved to Houston, worked for the Artificial Heart Program and found golf again. She developed a deep love for University of Texas golf (Harvey Penick) and football (Darrell K. Royal).

Frances has two daughters. Tina, a five-time AJGA All-American and graduate of Furman University who is a financial executive, and Sally who has movie star looks, graduated from St. Thomas University and had a hole-in-one at Butler Park in Austin and retired from golf.

When Frances began researching golf, history was whatever Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson did. Now, Texas’ golf history dates from 1887 and stretches from El Paso to Orange and Paris to Harlingen.

Frances has been commissioned to write One Hundred Years of Champions and Change-The History of Austin Country Club, Houston Country Club Centennial-1908 – 2008, Colonial Country Club-Diamond Jubilee Celebration – 75 Years, and The Houston Pilots – Silent Servants of Progress.

Trimble is a sixth generation Texan with family roots that stretch to the Carolinas, Virginia, Tennessee, Missouri and the Canary Islands. History is ingrained in her. She's a member of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and the First Families of Tennessee.

Her passion for history is also reflected in writing about golf.

Trimble has served as volunteer executive director and historian emeritus of the Texas Golf Hall of Fame, and in October 2010 she was inducted into the Hall of Fame in the category of service to golf.

Legacy Video

Fishing for Autographs

Frances attended her first Texas Open in 1934 at age eight. Instead of sitting with her family to watch the action from a playing field that included tournament runners-up Byron Nelson and Craig Wood, Frances hatched a different plan in her quest for autographs. Frances posted up on the bridge between Brackenridge’s 18th green and the clubhouse, and equipped with her fishing pole, she lured the curious pro golfers (many of whom loved fishing) to her spot and asked them for a post-round autograph.

Fatherly Love

Frances played occasional tournament golf, but her interest in golf waned after her father, Jack, passed away when she was only 13. Frances had learned the game by tagging along with Jack as a youngster, and she was with him at a practice putting green when he suffered a fatal massive heart attack. Her interest in the game returned nearly a decade later when she married former University of Texas golfer John Trimble, who had played for legendary coach Harvey Penick in college.

Dancing and Delving Into History

Frances attended San Antonio’s MacArthur High School where she was a flag twirler and became a finalist for Miss San Antonio as a senior. Her talent act was performing the Charleston, a dance popularized back in the 1920s. Frances’ passion for history is also reflected in her golf writing. She found that little was written about Texas golf prior to the days of Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson, and ultimately traced the game’s roots in the Lone Star State back to 1887.

Dead Solid Perfect Writing

Frances, who had previously worked in the medical field, was a devoted and detailed researcher who wrote as her friend and legendary golf writer Dan Jenkins, put it, “with a professorial tone.” Her style was perfect for historical works, which included One Hundred Years of Champions and Change – The History of Austin Country Club, Houston Country Club Centennial – 1908-2008 and Colonial Country Club – Diamond Jubilee Celebration – 75 Years. She also was a longtime golf course reviewer, who took her husband along to play and rate municipal courses.

Skilled With A Pen

Frances’ golf writing career came about in 1984 as a result of watching her daughter compete at tournaments. She was drawn to writing stories about golfers who weren’t professionals but loved the game of golf, such as football star Earl Campbell and renowned heart surgeon Denton Cooley. Frances, a sixth generation Texan, has served as volunteer executive director and historian emeritus of the Texas Golf Hall of Fame. In October of 2010 she was inducted into the Hall of Fame, a tribute that acknowledged the importance of history and journalism.