Sports

Judy Rankin Receives Star on St. Louis Walk of Fame

Rankin's star was unveiled Monday in front of Pi in the Delmar Loop.

Judy Rankin, a pioneer in women's golf, received her star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame Monday.

St. Louis-born golf prodigy Judy Torluemke Rankin began playing at age 6 and honed her skills at the golf course in Forest Park.

"The best swing I ever had, I was seven years old," she said.

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She told the crowd Monday that going to the indoor driving range at Chase Park Plaza was something her father could do with her while her mother was ill.

"My dad was a big Ben Hogan fan," she said. "He thought playing golf would make my life better."

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She played with Stan Musial when she was 11 and noted how nice he was to her every time they met.

"I'm so sorry that St. Louis lost him," she said. "But I'm so glad that St. Louis had him."

Rankin was described as one of the best prospects in a 1961 Sports Illustrated cover article, she turned pro in 1962 and won her first tour event in 1968, according to a press release. 

She was the the first LPGA player to top $100,000 in winnings for a season and she was named LPGA Player of the Year in 1976 and 1977. 

Rankin thanked her father for his vision getting her to the LPGA and her husband for the competitive drive to keep her there.

"I just do what the men in my life say I should," she said with a smile. She then told the crowd that the men in her life now include her 10 year old and 3 month old grandsons.  

After retiring in 1983 with 26 tour victories, Rankin became a television commentator for women’s and men’s events, and captained the U.S. team to consecutive Solheim Cup victories in 1996 and 1998.  

Rankin was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2000.

See our previous Walk of Fame coverage:

  • Gerald Early Receives Star on St. Louis Walk of Fame
  • Ntozake Shange Receives Star on Walk of Fame
  • William Holden Receives Star on the Walk of Fame
  • Walk of Fame Leaves Impression on Visitors
  • New Star Added to St. Louis Walk of Fame


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