JoAnne Carner

JoAnne Carner, known to many as the “Great Gundy,” compiled 43 victories during her LPGA career, beginning with a win in the 1969 Burdine’s Invitational--making her the last amateur to win an LPGA event.  Her first official LPGA Tour win as a professional came in 1970, her rookie year, as she defeated Marilynn Smith in a sudden-death playoff at the Wendell-West Open.

Carner dominated women's golf in the 1970s and 80s, winning 42 LPGA titles in a 14-year period from 1970 to 1984 and, after turning pro, in just 12 seasons winning 35 events to qualify for the LPGA Hall of Fame.  In her second career victory as a professional, Carner won the 1971 U.S. Women's Open, making her the only golfer in history to win the U.S. Girls' Junior, the U.S. Women's Amateur and the U.S. Women's Open titles. She won the Women's Open again in 1976.

An inductee into the LPGA and World Golf Halls of Fame in 1982, Carner was voted Player of the Year three times and brought home the LPGA’s Vare Trophy, given to the woman with the lowest season stroke average, five times during her career. Carner not only dominated on the course, but also was recognized among GOLF Magazine’s list of “100 Heroes” during the 1988 Centennial of Golf in America celebration and received the 2003 Eagle Award from the LPGA Teaching and Club Professional Southeast Section membership. Carner was also honored, in 1981, with the Bob Jones Award from the USGA.

Major Victories
•1971:U.S. Women’s Open
•1976:U.S. Women’s Open