Golf lost another legend with the recent death of 13-time major champion, Mickey Wright.
Born Feb. 14, 1935, in San Diego, Wright began to hit balls with her father, Arthur, a 15 handicapper and San Diego attorney, at age 4. At age 11, she received her first lesson at La Jolla Country Club. Within a year, she had broken 100.
Wright died after suffering a heart attack in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where she had been hospitalized the last few weeks.
In her book, “Play Golf the Wright Way,” Wright tried to explain the fascination that golf had for her. “Something happened to me when I swung a golf club,” she said. “I felt free and graceful like somebody. I still do. Golf to me is not only a way of life, it’s a creative outlet, a constant, never ending challenge; frustrating but never dull; infuriating, but satisfying.”
Her strong, graceful swing would guide Wright to 13 major championships and 82 victories total (second most all-time), with many coming while carrying the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour on her shoulders.
She won the U.S. Women’s Open and the LPGA Championship four times each. She won the Vare Trophy five times, was the leading money winner four times, and twice had winning streaks of four straight tournaments.
Wright retired from full-time competition in 1969, at the age of 34. Citing an adverse reaction to sunlight, an aversion to flying and foot problems, Wright settled for a quiet life in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
