Debbie Austin (born February 1, 1948) is an American professional golfer.

Debbie Austin
Personal information
Born (1948-02-01) February 1, 1948 (age 76)
Oneida, New York, U.S.
Height5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)
Sporting nationality United States
ResidenceOrlando, Florida, U.S.
Career
CollegeRollins College
StatusProfessional
Former tour(s)LPGA Tour (1968–87)
Professional wins8
Number of wins by tour
LPGA Tour7
Other1
Best results in LPGA major championships
Titleholders C'shipT17: 1972
Chevron ChampionshipT38: 1984
Women's PGA C'ship7th: 1973
U.S. Women's Open8th: 1975
du Maurier ClassicT17: 1981

Austin was born in Oneida, New York. She first played on the LPGA Tour in 1968 and went on to win seven tournaments, including five in 1977 when she tied with Judy Rankin for most on tour. She was named Player of the Year in 1977 by Golf Magazine.[1]

She won the Wills Qantas Australian Ladies Open in 1978. A recurring tendonitis problem plagued her during 1979 and 1980, but she returned to winning form in 1981 by winning the Mayflower Classic. With that victory, she established the tradition of the winner taking a plunge into the pool with General Chairman John B. Smith.

She has held a variety of positions since the end of her tour career, including a stint as a coach for the Rollins College ladies' golf team in Winter Park, Florida. She spent several years associated with Westchester Country Club in New York. She resides in Orlando, Florida and is the former head coach of the Bishop Moore Catholic High School girls' golf team. She is now retired but plays regularly at her home course, Orange Tree Golf Club.

The junior tees at Westchester Country Club are named after her.[2]

Professional wins (8)

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LPGA Tour wins (7)

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No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
1 May 1, 1977 Birmingham Classic −9 (68-69-70=207) 1 stroke   Debbie Massey
2 Jun 26, 1977 Hoosier Classic −9 (70-70-67=207) 2 strokes   Judy Rankin
  Jan Stephenson
3 Jul 31, 1977 Pocono Northeast Classic −6 (71-73-69=213) 1 stroke   Sandra Post
4 Aug 14, 1977 Long Island Charity Classic −9 (73-69-66-71=279) 2 stroke   Nancy Lopez
  Kathy Whitworth
5 Aug 21, 1977 Wheeling Classic −7 (67-72-70=209) 1 stroke   Hollis Stacy
6 Feb 12, 1978 American Cancer Society Classic −4 (68-72-72=212) 1 stroke   Beth Solomon
  Nayoko Yoshikawa
7 Jul 12, 1981 Mayflower Classic −9 (68-69-68-74=279) 4 strokes   Myra Blackwelder
  Hollis Stacy

Other wins (1)

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References

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  1. ^ "Debbie Austin bio". LPGA. Retrieved July 2, 2017.
  2. ^ "Debbie Austin fits WCC honor to a tee". Lohud Golf Blog. September 5, 2012.[permanent dead link]
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