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John Reitman

By John Reitman

Golf lost a true friend and ambassador in Peggy Kirk Bell

When Peggy Kirk Bell died earlier this month, the golf industry lost more than an industry professional; more than a teacher; more than a golf course owner. The golf business lost one of its best ambassadors and a true pioneer and visionary in the world of women's golf.

 
9b3930b678825a23384fd1e4f3cf6fe2-.jpgA native of Findlay, Ohio, she was one of the top amateur players of her era, was a golf course owner by the early 1950s and forever revolutionized golf instruction for women. Mrs. Kirk Bell died Nov. 23 at age 95 at her home in Southern Pines, North Carolina.
 
"(She was) One of the women (who) truly set the standard that we have tried to follow for 66 yrs," Tweeted LPGA commissioner Michael Whan.
 
When compared with the likes of Babe Zaharias, Patty Berg and Louise Suggs, Mrs. Kirk Bell's contributions to golf often go unnoticed. The fact is, women who today enjoy the game have many ground-breaking figures to thank, including Kirk Bell who was remembered as one of the game's leading pioneers and ambassadors, especially when it came to forging the way for other women.
 
A native of Findlay, Ohio, Mrs. Kirk Bell excelled on the women's amateur circuit. A charter member of the LPGA, she was a 1943 graduate of Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, and went on to win the Ohio Women's Amateur three times in the 1940s before participating on the 1950 U.S. Curtis Cup team. Her alma mater near Orlando still hosts an annual tournament that bears her name. Her other accomplishments on the golf course include the 1949 North and South Women's Amateur in 1949, participating on the 1950 U.S. Curtis Cup team and winning the Titleholders Championship, a women's professional major championship from 1925-1966. 
 
By 1953, she and her husband, Warren Bell, her high school sweetheart and a former professional basketball player, bought the Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club and Mid Pines in Southern Pines, where she became a one of the game's most respected teachers, most notably by creating a system of instruction for women by women, which she called Golfaris.
 
In a statement to Pine Needles and Mid Pines members, club president and Mrs. Kirk Bell's son-in-law, Kelly Miller said: "She was a great lady and loved seeing and being around each and every one of you.
 
"Mr. and Mrs. Bell literally built the Pine Needles Lodges and most of the facilities here that you and others enjoy today. Her spirit continues today (through) each of you, for which the entire family is very thankful for. I know many of you who knew Mrs. Bell have a great 'Ma Bell' story. Thank you for providing her so much joy, so much laughter, and so much love."
 
Mrs. Kirk Bell was the recipient of several industry awards, including the USGA's Bobby Jones Award, the Golf Writers Association's William Richardson Award, the LPGA's Ellen Griffin Rolex Award. The National Golf Foundation's Joe Graffis Award and the National Golf Course Owners Order of Merit.
 
She was a member of seven halls of fame, including the Ohio Sports Hall of Fame, the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, North Carolina Business Hall of Fame and the LPGA Teaching Division Hall of Fame, and she was the first woman inducted into the PGA Golf Instructors Hall of Fame. She was named among the game's top teachers by Golf Digest, Golf and Golf For Women. Mrs. Kirk Bell was the LPGA Teacher of the Year in 1961 and the PGA's First Lady of Golf in 2007. She also served on the National Board of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
 
Tweeted Annika Sorenstam: "So sad to hear the passing of Peggy Kirk Bell. She was an extraordinary lady, passionate golf instructor & caring friend."





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