Golf: Ranking The Top Golfer From All 50 States
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Like Arnold Palmer, Patty Sheehan was a no-doubt World Golf Hall of Fame selection
Montana
Alice Ritzman
The pride of Kalispell forged a 20-year career on the LPGA Tour between the 1970s-’90s. From an early age, she dominated Montana on the junior and amateur circuits before extending her borders. Ritzman worked with Hall of Fame coach Harvey Penick to work toward a career that resulted in almost every achievement possible without winning an event. She had five aces, the record for eagles in a round (three at the 1979 Colgate European Open), over 400 starts and some time in the booth in the ’90s commentating for ESPN.
Nebraska
Johnny Goodman
Mark Calcavecchia is a tempting contemporary choice, but what Goodman did in the game in the 1930s is hard to ignore. So is his personal story. Orphaned at the age of 14, the Omaha native worked as a caddy while quickly learning the game. He won three Nebraska Amateur titles as a teen, as well as three Trans-Mississippi Amateur titles, a then prestigious tournament. In 1929, his name was nationally known after taking down the great Bobby Jones in the first round of match play at the US Amateur. If that isn’t his biggest claim to fame, being the last amateur to win the US Open in 1933 or his 1937 US Amateur win should serve in that role just fine.
Nevada
Patty Sheehan
“The worst advice in golf is, ‘Keep your head down.’” Those are the words of Patty Sheehan, who had plenty of reason to hold her head high. Born in Vermont, she moved to Reno in her young days where she went on to have one of the finest careers in LPGA history. She won 42 times worldwide (35 LPGA), including six majors. She played in five Solheim Cups and captained twice, once as a player/captain in 2002. She finished inside the top 10 of the LPGA money list each year from 1982 to 1993, but never was first. In 1987, she was one of several Sports Illustrated Sportsmen and Women of the Year.
New Hampshire
Jane Blalock
For over 35 years, Blalock has been a world record holder. From 1969 to 1980, the Portsmouth native made 299 straight professional cuts. On top of that, she was the 1969 LPGA Rookie of the Year and Most Improved in both 1970 and ’71. Always getting better despite back issues for parts of her career, Blalock won 34 times worldwide, 27 on the LPGA Tour. She had a smattering of top-10s in majors, but never broke through to win. In 1983, she became just the seventh women’s professional golfer to join the $1 million club.
New Jersey
Vic Ghezzi
Hailing from Rumson, Ghezzi was a golfer whose career was significantly impacted by World War II. Ghezzi was selected to three Ryder Cup teams between 1939-43, all of which were canceled. The 1941 PGA Championship was still on, though, and Ghezzi made the most of his opportunity before enlisting in the army in ’42. The PGA was then a match play finish, and he took down the legend, Byron Nelson, in 38 holes to claim his lone major. He came close to adding a second major by reaching a three-man, 18-hole Monday playoff at the US Open. Nelson again joined Ghezzi in the extra holes, but it was Lloyd Mangrum who came away with the title. Ghezzi finished with 17 worldwide wins, 11 coming on the PGA Tour.