Class of 1984

Sandra Haynie

Professional Player

Biography

Born on June 4, 1943 in Fort Worth Sandra Haynie built on an exceptional amateur career to become a World Golf Hall of Fame Member with more than 40 LPGA Tour wins in a 30 year career that included four major championship titles.

Haynie was an early protégée of A.G. Mitchell of River Crest Country Club. As a teenager, she won the 1957 and 1958 Texas State Public Links tournaments, plus the 1958 and 1959 Women’s Texas Golf Association titles. She also captured the 1960 Trans-Miss.

As a professional Miss Haynie has actually had two careers- one from 1961-1976 and, following a layoff due to injuries and arthritis, from 1980 to 1989. She joined the LPGA Tour in 1961 at age 18, and won her first professional title in 1962 at the Austin Civitan Open

Haynie finished in the top ten on the money list every year from 1963 and 1975. The last time for this distinction was her 14th and final time in 1982 when she placed second in earnings that year as well as four other years. She was awarded LPGA Player of the Year honors in 1970. She was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1977. Her last full season on the LPGA tour was 1989.

On the Legends Tour, Haynie has competed for the American side in four ISPS Handa Cup contests (2006-2009), a stretch in which Team USA never lost.

Sandra Haynie has served the LPGA as an officer and a playing member of the Board of Directors.

Haynie has continued to teach and mentor young LPGA Tour professionals from around the world.

Legacy Video

Inductee Highlights

Major Championship Wins (4) - 1965, 74 LPGA Championship, 1974 U.S. Women's Open, 1982 Peter Jackson Classic
LPGA Tour Wins - (42) - Including seven tournaments in Texas
Other Honors - World Golf Hall of Fame Class of 1977

No More Swimming

Growing up as an only child, Sandra Haynie spent her time at the swimming pool while her father played golf. One day, the club’s head golf professional asked an 11 year old Sandra if she had ever tried golf, and persuaded her to join him on the range. After showing her how to stand and how to grip the club, he promptly left. A strong all-around athlete, Sandra immediately took to the sport that day, hitting balls nonstop until her father had finished his round. A love affair with the sport had officially begun.

A Kid with “The Babe”

Less than a year after taking up the game, Sandra began learning under the tutelage of former River Crest (Fort Worth) Country Club professional A.G. Mitchell. In addition to working with her swing, he gave 12-year-old Sandra the chance of a lifetime – an opportunity to play nine holes with the legendary Babe Didrikson Zaharias. After finishing the round with perhaps the greatest athletes of all time, Sandra told her parents that’s what she was going to do for a living. As a teen, she won the 1957 and 1958 Texas State Public Links tournaments, the 1958 and 1959 Women’s Texas Golf Association titles and the 1960 Trans-Mississippi Amateur.

Young Star on Fledgling Tour

Sandra joined the LPGA Tour in 1961 at the age of 18, and won her first professional title just a year later at the Austin Civitan Open. In the 1960s, in addition to playing, members of the LPGA Tour served on rules committees and handled early-morning course setup in order to help make sure that the tour could survive. Survive it did. Thrive she did. Sandra secured 42 professional victories, including four major championships, and finished in the Top 10 on the tour’s money list every year from 1963-75.

A Major Feat

In 1974, Sandra claimed two major championships in a four-week span, first taking the top spot at the LPGA Championship and then securing the U.S. Women’s Open. The wins marked her second and third career major titles and first in nine years. The U.S. Women's Open triumph at LaGrange Country Club in Chicago was clinched when she made 88 feet worth of putts on the 71st (70 feet) and 72nd (18 feet) holes to win by one shot. She became just the second female, joining Mickey Wright, ever to win both majors in the same year.

A Return for the Ages

Sandra’s career was hampered by hand and back injuries in the second half of the 1970s. By that time, her stellar early career had already put her in the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1977. However, Sandra proved to herself that she wasn’t finished yet. In 1981, inspired by watching Martina Navratilova twice in person at the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament one week earlier, she returned to form and won the Henredon Classic for her first win in six years. In 1982 she claimed her fourth and final major at the Peter Jackson Classic at the age of 37 for the final LPGA Tour victory of her illustrious career.

Keepsake: A reminder to always do your best

Sandra Haynie talks about her second place trophy from the Dinah Shore tournament. It was her favorite golf course and tournament. The second place signifies that she tries to do her best every round.