1975 LPGA Tour
The 1975 LPGA Tour was the 26th season since the LPGA Tour officially began in 1950. The season ran from January 31 to November 23. The season consisted of 27 official money events. Sandra Haynie and Carol Mann won the most tournaments, four each. Sandra Palmer led the money list with earnings of $76,374.
There were five first-time winners in 1975: Amy Alcott, Maria Astrologes, Susie McAllister, Mary Bea Porter, and Jo Ann Washam.
The tournament results and award winners are listed below.
Tournament results
The following table shows all the official money events for the 1975 season.[1] "Date" is the ending date of the tournament. The numbers in parentheses after the winners' names are the number of wins they had on the tour up to and including that event. Majors are shown in bold.
| Date | Tournament | Location | Winner | Score | Purse ($) | 1st prize ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2 | Burdine's Invitational | Florida |  | 208 | 40,000 | 5,700 |
| Feb 9 | Naples Lely Classic | Florida | | 211 | 40,000 | 5,700 |
| Feb 23 | Orange Blossom Classic | Florida | | 207 | 35,000 | 5,000 |
| Mar 23 | Bing Crosby International Classic | Mexico | | 214 | 45,000 | 6,400 |
| Mar 29 | Karsten-Ping Open | Arizona | | 209 | 70,000 | 10,000 |
| Apr 20 | Colgate-Dinah Shore Winner's Circle | California | | 283 | 180,000 | 32,000 |
| Apr 27 | Charity Golf Classic | Texas | | 212 | 45,000 | 6,400 |
| May 4 | Birmingham Classic | Alabama | | 210 | 40,000 | 5,700 |
| May 11 | Lady Tara Classic | Georgia | | 214 | 40,000 | 5,700 |
| May 25 | American Defender Classic | North Carolina | | 206 | 40,000 | 5,700 |
| Jun 1 | LPGA Championship | Maryland | | 288 | 55,000 | 8,000 |
| Jun 8 | Girl Talk Classic | New York | | 213 | 50,000 | 7,000 |
| Jun 15 | Lawson's LPGA Classic | Ohio | | 217 | 50,000 | 7,000 |
| Jun 22 | Hoosier Classic | Indiana | | 211 | 40,000 | 5,700 |
| Jun 29 | Peter Jackson Classic | Canada | | 214 | 60,000 | 12,000 |
| Jul 6 | Wheeling Ladies Classic | West Virginia | | 212 | 40,000 | 5,700 |
| Jul 13 | Borden Classic | Ohio | | 209 | 65,000 | 9,200 |
| Jul 20 | U.S. Women's Open | New Jersey | | 295 | 55,000 | 8,044 |
| Jul 27 | George Washington Ladies Classic | Pennsylvania | | 206 | 40,000 | 5,700 |
| Aug 17 | Patty Berg Classic | Minnesota | | 206 | 45,000 | 6,400 |
| Aug 24 | National Jewish Hospital Open | Colorado | | 207 | 40,000 | 5,700 |
| Sep 7 | Dallas Civitan Open | Texas | | 208 | 40,000 | 6,200 |
| Sep 14 | Southgate Open | Kansas | | 213 | 40,000 | 5,700 |
| Sep 21 | Portland Ladies Classic | Oregon | | 215 | 40,000 | 5,700 |
| Oct 26 | Golf Inns of America | California | | 287 | 40,000 | 5,700 |
| Nov 16 | Jacksonville Ladies Open | Florida | | 223 | 50,000 | 7,000 |
| Nov 23 | Greater Ft. Myers Classic | Florida | | 210 | 40,000 | 5,700 |
LPGA Tour settles Jane Blalock lawsuit
The LPGA Tour dropped its appeal and made settlement[2] in the lawsuit Jane Blalock filed against the Tour after they suspended her for one year[3] due to cheating allegations that began at the 1972 Bluegrass Invitational where Blalock was disqualified.[4] Blalock, with the help of a court order, was allowed to continue playing LPGA tournaments while her suit was being resolved.[5] In August 1974, a court had ruled in favor of Blalock and awarded her $4,500 in damages.[6] Those damages were subsequently tripled in March 1975, plus the LPGA was ordered to pay Blalock's legal fees which totaled $95,303.[7]
After settling with Blalock, the LPGA Tour adopted a formal organization which included having a commissioner.[8]
Awards
| Award | Winner | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Money winner | Sandra Palmer | |
| Scoring leader (Vare Trophy) | JoAnne Carner (2) | |
| Player of the Year | Sandra Palmer | |
| Rookie of the Year | Amy Alcott | |