Vivien Saunders

Vivien Inez Saunders, OBE (born 24 November 1946) is a retired English female professional golfer, winning the Women's British Open in 1977.[1][2] She had a successful amateur career, appearing in the 1968 Curtis Cup. She has published a number of golf books and instructional videos.

Vivien Saunders
Personal information
Full nameVivien Inez Saunders
Born (1946-11-24) 24 November 1946
Sutton, Surrey, England
Nationality England
Career
Turned professional1969
Former tour(s)LPGA Tour

Early years

Saunders was born in Sutton, Surrey on 24 November 1946 and educated at Nonsuch County High School, Cheam, Surrey.

Playing career

Saunders was runner-up to Elizabeth Chadwick in the 1966 British Ladies Amateur Golf Championship, losing 3 & 2 in the final.

Saunders turned professional in early 1969 and became the first European to qualify for the LPGA Tour later in 1969.[3]

Amateur wins
  • 1967 Avia Medal Foursomes (with Bridget Jackson)

Professional wins
  • 1977 Women's British Open[4]
  • 1978 Avia Foursomes (with Mary Everard)
  • 1980 British Car Auctions Tournament (tied with Bridget Cooper)[5]
  • Keighley Trophy
  • four tournaments in Australia

Other achievements

Editor of Lady Golfer for several years.

Founder of the Women's Professional Golf Association[6] and the European Women's Tour. Made honorary life member of PGA and Women's European Tour but had to resign from each to regain amateur status and play. Previously on Executive Committee of PGA, Chairman Women's PGA.

Council member of National Coaching Foundation 1993 to 1997. She has twice won the British Sports Coach of the Year Award.

In 1986 she bought Abbotsley Golf Club, near St Neots, Cambridgeshire. She is chairman of the Association of Golf Course Owners.[7]

Saunders received the OBE for services to women's golf in the 1998 New Year Honours.[8][9]

Team appearances

Amateur

  • Curtis Cup (representing Great Britain & Ireland): 1968
  • Commonwealth Tournament (representing Great Britain): 1967 (winners)
  • Vagliano Trophy (representing Great Britain & Ireland): 1967

References
  1. Harris, Cathy (15 July 2013). "Top golfer Vivien Saunders attacks decision to stage Open at club that excludes women". The Sunday Times.
  2. Lennox, Doug (6 December 2013). Now You Know Absolutely Everything: Absolutely every Now You Know book in a single ebook. Dundurn. p. 1182. ISBN 9781459724785.
  3. Bundy, Bobby (11 October 2015). Best Senior Golf Secrets Revealed. Lulu Press. p. 188. ISBN 9781329615229.
  4. "Championship History". Archived from the original on 19 August 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  5. "Baiocchi's eagle pips Gallacher". Aberdeen Press and Journal. 22 March 1980. p. 19. Retrieved 28 September 2020 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. "Peter Alliss: Golf equality for women 'causing mayhem". BBC Sport. 7 April 2015. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  7. Gribben, Roland (3 November 2014). "Push to drive golf out of its bunker on course – but buyers wait in the wings". The Telegraph. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  8. "Officers of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire". The Times. 31 December 1997. p. 8.
  9. "Sir Tom joins Sir Stanley and Sir Bobby". The Times. 31 December 1997. p. 44.
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