Helen Hicks
Hicks in 1928
Personal information
Full nameHelen L. Hicks Harb
Born(1911-02-11)February 11, 1911
Cedarhurst, New York, U.S.
DiedDecember 16, 1974(1974-12-16) (aged 63)
Sporting nationality United States
Spouse
Whitney Harb
​
(m. 1938⁠–⁠1948)​
Career
Turned professional1934
Former tour(s)LPGA Tour (Founder)
Professional wins2
Number of wins by tour
LPGA Tour2
Best results in LPGA major championships
(wins: 2)
Western OpenWon: 1937
Titleholders C'shipWon: 1940
Achievements and awards
World Golf Hall of Fame2024 (member page)
Hicks and Elinor Smith c.1928 in Farmingdale, New York

Helen L. Hicks Harb (February 11, 1911 – December 16, 1974)[1] was an American professional golfer and one of 13 founders of the LPGA in 1950.

Biography

Hicks was born in Cedarhurst, New York.[1] She began playing golf at the age of 15, after being taught by her father. She attended Lawrence High School, where she played basketball for her school's team while simultaneously competing and winning such tournaments as the Junior Girls' Championship of the Metropolitan Women's Golf Association.[2] She had a successful amateur career, reaching the finals of the U.S. Women's Amateur twice.[3] She beat Glenna Collett Vare in 1931[4] and lost to Virginia Van Wie in 1933.[5] She won several other amateur tournaments and played on the first U.S. Curtis Cup team in 1932.

In 1934, Hicks became one of the first women to turned professional; signing with the Wilson Sporting Goods Company to promote their golf equipment.[6]

Hicks won two tournaments as a professional that are now considered LPGA major championships: the 1937 Women's Western Open and the 1940 Titleholders Championship. From 1938 to 1948, she competed as Helen Hicks Harb after marrying Whitney Harb.

In 1950, Hicks was one of 13 women that founded the LPGA.[7]

Hicks died of throat cancer in 1974.

Hicks is sometimes confused with contemporary Betty Hicks who won the 1941 U.S. Women's Amateur.

Tournament wins

this list is incomplete

Major championships

Wins (2)

YearChampionshipWinning scoreMarginRunner-up
1937Women's Western Open6 & 5United States Bea Barrett (a)
1940Titleholders Championship+36 (87-83-85-81=336)1 strokeUnited States Helen Dettweiler

Team appearances

Amateur

References

  1. 1 2 Elliott, Len; Kelly, Barbara (1976). Who's Who in Golf. New Rochelle, New York: Arlington House. p. 90. ISBN 0-87000-225-2.
  2. ↑ Rhonda, Glenn (December 26, 2010). "On The Early Road With Helen Hicks". USGA. Archived from the original on January 30, 2018. Retrieved January 15, 2017. Born into a jovial and athletic family on Feb. 11, 1911, in Cedarhurst, N.Y., Hicks, like many girls, was introduced to golf by her father. Young Helen began playing at the age of 15 and improved rapidly. She won the Metropolitan Women's Golf Association Junior Girls' Championship at the same time she was starring as a basketball player for Lawrence High School.
  3. ↑ "U.S. Women's Amateur champions". uswamateur.org. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 26, 2009.
  4. ↑ "1931 U.S. Women's Amateur". uswamateur.org. Archived from the original on February 12, 2012. Retrieved February 26, 2009.
  5. ↑ "1933 U.S. Women's Amateur". uswamateur.org. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved February 26, 2009.
  6. ↑ Women's Eastern Golf Association Archived May 16, 2009, at the Wayback Machine - past champions
  7. ↑ "About the LPGA - Our Founders". LPGA. Archived from the original on November 2, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2022.
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