Around the Green

Carol Mann Passes Away At Age 77

It is with a heavy heart that the Texas Golf Association announces the passing of Carol Mann of The Woodlands, who was looked upon as one of the “100 Heroes of American Golf.” An influential member of the Texas golf community for more than 30 years, Mann died May 20, 2018, at age 77.
 
Born in Buffalo, New York, Mann became a larger than life figure on the LPGA Tour. She joined the Tour in 1961, and standing at 6-foot-3, towered over her competition. By 1975 she amassed 38 wins on the LPGA Tour, including major victories at the 1964 Women’s Western Open Invitational and 1965 U.S. Women’s Open. She ranks 11th in career wins on the LPGA Tour.
 
In 1973, she took on a larger role in the game as LPGA president, a position she held until May 1976. She also was a member of the Executive Board as well as the Board of Directors. As her influence away from the course grew, golf took a backseat. Mann retired at the age of 40 and served as president and trustee of the Women’s Sports Foundation. She also founded Carol Mann Golf Services, a course design and management firm, which was the first to be owned and operated by a woman.
 
Mann was inducted into the LPGA Tour and World Golf Halls of Fame in 1977 and the Texas Golf Hall of Fame in 2010. For her many accomplishment both on and off the course, Mann received the "First Lady of Golf Award" from the PGA of America in 2008.
 
“Carol and I have been friends since we were teenagers,” said Sandra Haynie, another Texas legend who was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame together with Mann in 1977. “We joined the tour the same week in 1961 and shared all the ups, and downs of growing up on the tour. There are many wonderful memories. I will miss my dear friend.”
 
During her time in Texas, Mann advocated for women’s athletics and Title IX legislation and taught golf to juniors, amateurs and some of the world’s best professionals. She had a huge impact on many generations of Texans, and in 2016 was an integral part of “Breaking 100,” a yearlong celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Women’s Texas Golf Association.

“I met Carol through the Breaking 100 campaign in 2016,” said Stacy Dennis, the TGA’s Managing Director of Membership Programs and TGA Foundation. “Her accomplishments were truly legendary and I was definitely in awe of her. It would seem natural to feel small next to someone like her, but the power and warmth of her personality seemed to radiate into a crowd in such a way as to make everyone feel stronger too, like you weren’t out of place. She was generous with her encouragement and friendship, which had an enormous impact on golf, women’s sports and me.”