Women’s Golf Strides Into Spotlight Webb’s Success Illustrates How Far The Lpga Has Come

Sharon Farr wrapped her tiny hands around the edges of the podium as if asking it for emotional as well as physical support. She cleared her voice with a soft cough and let the words escape.

“With all my heart,” she said choking back the tears as she thought of the daughter she lost to breast cancer, “I wish there were no Heather Farr Award. That would mean she were still with us.”

Those simple words, spoken with courage and honesty, set a tone for the annual LPGA awards luncheon. And the way the tears mixed with the cheers Monday gave vivid testimony to what a great year it was for women’s golf.

Laura Davies was player of the year, Annika Sorenstam had the lowest scoring average and Karrie Webb was rookie of the year and leading money winner.

But the strides the LPGA made as an organization and the gains it made for women in sport were the true success story of 1996.

The Farr Award, named for the LPGA player who died in 1994, goes to the player who overcame obstacles and went this year to Martha Nause, who fought back from Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, a stress-related virus that damaged her sense of balance.

But the award could have easily gone to all the women who endured the early days of the LPGA to see it blossom. This was the tour’s most successful year in history - one of few places where women can draw meaningful paychecks as athletes.

The LPGA made great strides toward parity with the men’s game. Webb not only became the first woman to win a $1 million in a season, but also was the first rookie to do so - male or female.

“The result of 1996 very simply is more,” said Jim Ritts, the LPGA’s first-year commissioner. More events, more money, more fans.

Another award - the Michelob Light Front Runner Award - went to 17-year veteran Patty Sheehan and produced another touching speech that put the success of the LPGA Tour into perspective.

“Take advantage,” Sheehan said, “but don’t take it for granted. Remember where we came from, remember those women so long ago. And remember to enjoy the journey because the destination is not always as good as we think.”