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Marilynn Smith papers

 

1 COLLECTION SUMMARY

1.1 Introduction/Abstract

Marilynn Smith was born in Topeka, Kansas, on April 13th, 1929, and grew up in Wichita, Kansas. She began to play golf at the age of 12. Smith attended the University of Kansas in the late 1940s and competed in intercollegiate golf. In 1950, Smith and 12 others founded the Ladies’ Professional Golf Association (LPGA). Smith won 21 LPGA tour events and 2 major championships during her career. In 1973, Smith became the first woman to work on a men’s golf television broadcast. Smith was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in the Lifetime Achievement Category in October of 2006.

The Marilynn Smith collection contains a wide array of items - photos of Smith, player guides, player bylaws, and tournament pamphlets. The collection is a log of important events, wins, and memorabilia concerning Marilynn Smith. The collection would be useful for researchers of the LPGA, women’s sports in America in the mid-1900s, and golf research.

1.2 Dates

1933-1996

1.3 Quantity

0.6 cubic feet

1.4 Creator

Marilynn Smith & The World Golf Hall of Fame and Museum

1.5 Title

Marilynn Smith Collection

1.6 UID and/or Call #

UID# 509486

1.7 Language

English

1.8 Notes

This finding aid describes materials held by the Kansas State Historical Society. Materials may be used in the Research Room in the society’s Center for Historical Research during regular research hours. Support for telephone, mail, and online research and reference is limited.

In a continuing effort to improve the completeness and accuracy of finding aids, revisions are made as more or new information becomes available. Consequently, this finding aid may differ slightly from what appears in the collection or on the Kansas State Historical Society’s website.

1.9 Repository

Kansas State Historical Society (Topeka)

 

2 BIOGRAPHY OR HISTORY

Marilynn Smith was born in Topeka on April 13th, 1929. She grew up in Wichita, Kansas and was involved in sports from a young age, starting to play golf at the age of 12. [1] After winning three consecutive Kansas Women’s Amateur Championships in 1946-1949 at ages 17,18, and 19, her athletic talent was apparent. She attended the University of Kansas where she played intercollegiate golf in the late 1940s. During her sophomore year, Smith won the 1949 National Intercollegiate Golf Championship. Later that year, she signed a contract with Spalding Sporting Goods, conducting up to 100 clinics each year, earning a $5,000 salary, and eventually co-creating a signature line of golf clubs.[2]

In 1950, Smith and 12 others founded the LPGA (Ladies’ Professional Golf Association). The LPGA traveled around the country, hosting women’s invitationals and encouraging female involvement in golf. In 1954, Smith won her first LGPA tour event at the Fort Wayne Open and went on to win a total of 21 LPGA tour events, along with 2 major championships in 1963 and 1964. Smith was a top earner in the LPGA and was in the top 10 finishers on the money list nine times between 1961 and 1972. In addition to winning accolades such as the LPGA most improved player in 1963, Smith served as the LGPA President from 1958 to 1960, helping the LPGA to build a strong foundation. [3] In Smith’s professional career, she earned the nickname “Miss Personality” because of outgoing presentations on behalf of women’s golf and the LPGA.[4] Marilynn Smith is one of America’s most honored professional golfers and has won awards such asthe Patti Berg Award in 1979, Golf Digest’s Founders’ Cup Award in 1983 and the Vincent T. Lombardi Tournament of Champions Award in 1987. Her career earnings total nearly $300,000 from 1949 to 1985.[5]In 1973, Smith became the first woman to work on a men’s golf television broadcast, once again breaking gender expectations for women in sports. Smith was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in the Lifetime Achievement Category in October of 2006.[6] Smith created the Marilynn Smith LPGA Charity Pro-Am that raises scholarship money for female golfers with college expenses – providing 30 women with $5,000 grants. [7] Marilynn Smith passed away in Arizona at 89, 4 days before her 90th birthday.[8]

 

 

3 SCOPE AND CONTENTS

The collection encompasses the years 1933-1996 with the bulk of the material spanning from the 1940s to the 1980s. The documents primarily reflect Smith’s professional athletic activities, and include correspondence, event programs, some financial records, and LPGA regulatory documents. The largest portion of the collection is composed of photographs of Marilynn Smith from almost the entirety of her life.

The Marilynn Smith collection was originally housed by the World Golf Hall of Fame and Museum in St. Augustine, Florida. The exact creators of the collection are unknown. Smith was a member of the Golf Hall of Fame and was known worldwide for her involvement in women’s golf and role in the LPGA. The collection material was deaccessioned and donated to the Kansas Historical Society from the World Golf Hall of Fame and Museum due to the museum downsizing their collection in the Summer of 2021. Most of the original arrangement has been preserved as accessioned from the World Golf Hall of Fame and Museum.

The collection is arranged into seven series: Correspondence Materials, Programs, Magazines, Photographs, Financial Records, Golfer’s Diary, and LPGA Regulatory Documents. These series follow the original order of the material as accessioned from the World Golf Hall of Fame and Museum. The original order primarily appears be generally organized by material type and date of accession. Within each series materials have also been arranged in a general chronological order, except within the correspondence materials and photographs series, which do not have a specific inter-series organization.

 

4 CONTENTS LIST

Box 1

Series 1 – Correspondence Materials

Folder 1 .1 –

  • Western Union Telegram from the Attorney General of the United States and The Washington Post to Marilynn Smith. March 16, 1951.
  • Christmas card from the family of Bing Crosby. n.d.
  • Letter from Robert L. Schmidt, Chairman of the Lombardi Tournament of Champions to Marilynn Smith. May 21, 1987.
  • Western Union Telegram from Edwin L. Parker, President A G Spalding Bros inc. to Marilynn Smith. August 6,
  • Metropolitan Golf Writers Association Eighth Annual Dinner program. 1960.
  • Letter to members of the Marilyn Smith Founders’ Classic from Marilynn Smith. 1987.
  • Marilynn Smith Founders’ Classic event pamphlet. Oct. 13-16.
  • Newspaper Clippings. 1972.
  • The Homestead Spectator Special Golf Issue. Triangle Round Robin Invitation Golf Tournament Official Program. June 3-6, 1954.
  • Ladies’ Legacy: A newsletter for womens’ senior professional golf. Vol. 1. January 1988.
  • Photocopy of Marilynn Smith pitching to Bill Dickey. 1951.
  • Page from “M S Founders’ Classic Program.” 1987.
  • Letter from John A. Adams to Marilynn Smith. February 4, 1955.
  • Letter from A.R. Hyatt, district manager A.G. Spalding Bros. to Marilynn Smith. April 25, 1955
  • Envelope addressed to Marilynn Smith from A.G. Spalding Bros. 1955.
  • Letter from A.G. Spalding Bros. to Marilynn Smith. April 18, 1955.
  • Letter from J.M. Busby to Julio Aguirre. Cc Marilynn Smith. February 17, 1956.
  • Letter from J.M. Buzby to F. Prieto. Cc Marilynn Smith. February 17, 1956.
  • Letter from J.M. Buzby to Ricardo Mejias. Cc Marilynn Smith. February 17, 1956.
  • Letter from J.M. Buzby to Miguel Salas. Cc Marilynn Smith. February 17, 1956.
  • Letter from J.M. Buzby to Fred C. Crocker. Cc Marilynn Smith. February 17, 1956.
  • Envelope addressed to Marilynn Smith from A.G. Spalding Bros. February 1956.
  • Note regarding Marilynn Smith Fan Club.

Series 2 - Programs

Folder 2.1 – Kansas Women's Golf Association State Tournament, 1948 program

Folder 2.2 – Rolling Hills C.C. Golf Exhibition, 1949

Folder 2.3 – 30th Women's Western Open Golf Tournament, 1959

Folder 2.4 – City of Lake Worth LPGA Invitational Tournament 1960

Folder 2.5 – Lady Carling Open 1963 program

Folder 2.6 – 24th Women's Titleholders Championship, 1963

Folder 2.7 – 1963 Women's Open Championship

Folder 2.8 – 1966 Buckeye Savings Invitational

Folder 2.9 – 2nd Annual Southgate Open 1970

Folder 2.10 –19th Women's Open Championship, 1971

Folder 2.11 – Marilynn Smith Founder's Classic, 1987 program.

Series 3 – Magazines

Folder 3.1 – Golf Digest 1961 Annual

Folder 3.2 – Golf Digest, November 1962

Series 4 – Photographs

Folder 4.1- Photograph of Marilynn Smith and Judy Bell at the Broadmoor Golf Club in Colorado Springs, Colorado c. 1947

Folder 4.2.– Marilynn Smith and Shirley Spork with Sgt. Paul Markland. Ft. McPherson, GA. Photography by Pfc Willaim T. Ames. March 20, 1950.

Folder 4.3 – Marilynn Smith on the putting green with her coach. Mike Murra? pro at Wichita Country Club. Wichita, Kansas. c. 1946.

Folder 4.4 – Marilynn Smith tosses first pitch at spring training game. With New York Yankee’s catcher Bill Dicky and manager Casey Stengel. St. Petersburg, Florida. February 1957.

Folder 4.5– Marilynn Smith practices first pitch. With New York Yankee’s catcher Bill Dicky. February 1957.

Folder 4.6– Body English of Marilynn Smith. Churchill Country Club. June 5, 1958.

Folder 4.7 –Marilynn Smith at the Dallas Style Show. 1958

Folder 4.8 –Marilynn Smith headshot with pearls. c. 1960s.

Folder 4.9–Marilynn Smith, Spalding Golf Advisory Staff headshot. n.d.

Folder 4.10 – Marilynn Smith, Spalding Golf Advisory Staff headshot with clubs. Photograph taken in Salt Lake City, Utah. September 1962.

Folder 4.11 - Marilynn Smith and Lee Trevino holding LPGA Founder's scarf. n.d.

Folder 4.12 –Marilynn Smith with Frank Gifford on ABC. Ft. Worth. c. 1974

Folder 4.13 –Marilynn Smith in Jamaica. n.d.

Folder 4.14 –Marilynn Smith with Bob Hope at the University of Kansas. Lawrence, Kansas. Oct. 1971

Folder 4.15 –Marilynn Smith arriving in Australia. n.d.

Folder 4.16 –Marilynn Smith and caddie Mike Holtzer. Beaumont, Texas. May 19, 1967.

Folder 4.17 –Marilynn Smith at Women's National Intercollegiate Golf Tournament. With Grace Lenczyk. Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. 1949.

Folder 4.18–Marilynn Smith holding a tree named Smitty. n.d.

Folder 4.19 -Marilynn Smith with child on crutches. Child named Wayne Johnson. Photography by Kevin Berry. n.d.

Folder 4.20 -Patty Berg conducting golf clinic. With Marilynn Smith, student at K.U. University of Kansas, Lawrence. Kansas. 1948.

Folder 4.21 –Marilynn Smith full-length portrait. c. 1950.

Folder 4.22 –Marilynn Smith Founder's Classic Tournament group photo. n.d.

Folder 4.23 –Marilynn Smith Swinging Golf Club. n.d.

Folder 4.24 –Marilynn Smith LPGA Portrait. Spartanburg Country Club South Carolina. May 1960.

Folder 4.25 – Marilynn Smith with Patty Berg at Ft. Wayne open. Ft. Wayne, Indiana. 1954.

Folder 4.26 – Two photographs:

  • Marilynn Smith posing with baseball bat. 1941.
  • University of Kansas Theta pledge class. 1947.

Folder 4.27 –Marilynn Smith with Ben Hogen, Gary Tillet, and Jeny Johnson (Chairman) "Marilynn Smith Founder's classic." Las Colinas Country Club, Irving, Texas. October 14, 1989.

Folder 4.28–Portrait of Marilynn Smith at 4 years old. c. 1933.

Folder 4.29– Three Photographs:

  • Marilynn Smith playing golf in Spain. c.1981.
  • Marilynn Smith with Bing Crosby. n.d.
  • Marilynn Smith at the Colgate-Dinah Shore Winner’s Circle. Mission Hills Country Club, Rancho Mirage, California. c.1975.

Folder 4.30 – Marilynn Smith at clinic in New Zealand. c. 1960s.

Folder 4.31 –Marilynn Smith holding "Best Action Picture." Augusta, Georgia. November 24, 1965.

Folder 4.32– Marilynn Smith. Photography by Paulette Campbell. Dallas, Texas. ca. 1960 Folder 4.33 –Marilynn Smith practicing in 1950. Photography by Raymond J. Smith. 1950.

Folder 4.34 –Marilynn Smith LPGA staff photo. n.d.

Folder 4.35 –Triangle Round Robin Invitational Tournament group photo. Individuals identified on back of photograph. Photography by Stephen Blake. 1954.

Folder 4.36 –Marilynn Smith and Betsy Rawls at Triangle Round Robin. Photo with Betty Dodd and Beverly Hanson. Tedesco Country Club, Marblehead, Massachusetts. June 1958.

Folder 4.37 –Marilynn Smith "Welcome Home Day.' Tequesta, Florida. December 7, 1961.

Folder 4.38 – Two photographs:

  • Marilynn Smith at 16 years old. 1945.
  • Marilynn Smith with couch Mike Murra. Wichita Country Club & Putting Green. Wichita, Kansas. April 6, 1961.

Folder 4.39 –Marilynn Smith and Richard Nixon at the Metropolitan Golf Writers Assoc. Dinner. Plaza Hotel, New York City, New York. 1960.

Folder 4.40 –Three photographs:

  • Marilynn Smith kissing Perry Como. Horsham, Pennsylvania. July 1975.
  • Marilynn Smith and Efrem Zimbalist. 1960.
  • Marilynn Smith Founders Classic draw party. 1987.

Folder 4.41 – Three photocopied Photographs:

  • Ben Hogan and Marilynn Smith at Dallas Open Pic-Am. Photo with two amateur golfers. Dallas, Texas. 1957.
  • Marilynn Smith celebrates "66" at Titleholders. Augusta, Georgia. c. 1964.
  • Marilynn Smith first pitch. St. Petersburg, Florida. 1951.

Folder 4.42 – Marilynn Smith tending to pin flag. Muskogee Country Club, Muskogee, Oklahoma. n.d.

Folder 4.43 – Two photocopied photographs:

  • Marilynn Smith in baseball uniform. Wichita, Kansas. c. 1941.
  • Marilynn Smith portrait at 4 years old. 1933.

Folder 4.44 – Marilynn Smith Golf Tour 1969 Courtesy Car. c. 1969.

Folder 4.45 – Marilynn Smith with family. December 24, 1996.

Box 2

Series 5 – Financial Records

Folder 5.1 – Marilynn Smith expense and tax record, 1952

Series 6 – Golfer’s Diary

Folder 6.1 – Marilynn Smith golfer's diary started at 15 years old

Series 7 – LPGA Regulatory Documents

Folder 7.1 – Constitution and by-laws of the LPGA, 1966.

Folder 7.2 – Tournament regulations, player's section, LPGA, 1966.

Folder 7.3 – Constitution and by-laws, LPGA, 1967.

Folder 7.4 – Constitution and by-laws, LPGA, 1968.

Folder 7.5- Player guide, LPGA, 1965.

Folder 7.6- Player guide, LPGA, 1966.

 

5 RELATED MATERIALS

 

6 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Goldstein, Richard. “Marilynn Smith, an L.P.G.A. Founder and Tour Champion, Is Dead at 89.” The New York Times, 9 April 2019. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/09/obituaries/marilynn-smith-dead.html. Accessed 3 October 2024.

 

Marshall, Brett. “50 for 50: Marilynn Smith- Golf Pioneer, Celebrating 50 Years of Title IX.” KSHSAA Covered. 15 February 2022. https://kshsaacovered.com/news/2022/2/15/womens-golf-50-for-50-marilynn-smith-golfpioneer.aspx. Accessed 3 October 2024.

 

“Marilynn Smith.” World Golf Hall of Fame. https://worldgolfhalloffame.org/marilynnsmith/. Accessed 2 October 2024.

 

“Marilynn Smith.” LPGA Hall of Fame. https://www.lpga.com/lpga-hall-offame/marilynn-smith. Accessed 2 October 2024

 

“Marilynn Smith Bio.” Ladies Professional Golf Association. https://www.lpga.com/athletes/marilynn-smith/81911/bio. Accessed 2 October 2024.

 

7 INDEX TERMS/SUBJECT HEADINGS/ACCESS POINTS

  • Marilynn Smith
  • Golf
  • Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA)
  • Women’s Athletics
  • Wichita (Kan.)
  • Topeka (Kan.)
  • University of Kansas (KU)
  • World Golf Hall of Fame

 

8 ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

8.1 Restrictions on access

None

8.2 Restrictions on use

Notice: This material may be protected by copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code). The user is cautioned that the publication of the contents of this collection may be construed as constituting a violation of literary property rights. These rights derive from the principle of common law, affirmed in the copyright law of 1976 as amended, that the writer of an unpublished letter or other manuscript has the sole right to publish the contents thereof unless he or she affirmatively parts with that right; the right descends to his or her legal heirs regardless of the ownership of the physical manuscript itself. It is the responsibility of a user or his or her publisher to secure the permission of the owner of literary property rights in unpublished writing.

8.3 Custodial History/ Provenance

This collection contains records pertaining to distinguished golfer Marilynn Smith, a pioneer in women’s sports, and include both materials gathered by Smith and regarding her professional career. The collection was first housed by the World Golf Hall of Fame and Museum in St. Augustine, Florida. In 2021, the World Golf Hall of Fame and Museum donated the collection as a gift to KSHS while working to downsize their collection.

8.4 Alternate forms

None.

8.5 Preferred citation

Note: [document and/or series description, date], Marilynn Smith collection, Kansas State Historical Society.

Bibliography: Marilynn Smith collection, Kansas State Historical Society.

8.6 Acquisition information (Accession #)

Accession #2022-078

8.7 Processing information (Processor name)

Cordell Moats, digital archivist, 2024

Marley Kendell, library assistant, 2024. 

 

[1] Richard Goldstein, “Marilynn Smith, an L.P.G.A. Founder and Tour Champion, Is Dead at 89,” The New York Times, 9 April 2019. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/09/obituaries/marilynn-smith-dead.html. Accessed 3 October 2024, and Brett Marshall, “50 for 50: Marilynn Smith- Golf Pioneer, Celebrating 50 Years of Title IX,” KSHSAA Covered, 15 February 2022, https://kshsaacovered.com/news/2022/2/15/womens-golf-50-for-50-marilynn-smith-golf-pioneer.aspx, Accessed 3 October 2024.

[2] Goldstein, “Marilynn Smith,” New York Times.

[3] “Marilynn Smith Bio,” Ladies Professional Golf Association, https://www.lpga.com/athletes/marilynn-smith/81911/bio, Accessed 2 October 2024.

[4] “Marilynn Smith,” World Golf Hall of Fame, https://worldgolfhalloffame.org/marilynn-smith/, Accessed 2 October 2024.

[5] “Marilynn Smith,” World Golf Hall of Fame.

[6] “Marilynn Smith Bio,” Ladies Professional Golf Association, and “Marilynn Smith,” World Golf Hall of Fame.

[7] Brett Marshall, “50 for 50.”

[8] Brett Marshall, “50 for 50.”