Louise Suggs, LPGA Founder, Dies at Age 91

Louise Suggs, a founding member of the Ladies Professional Golf Association, died Friday at 91, the LPGA announced. 

LPGA commissioner Michael Whan spoke about Suggs' impact in the release: 

"

While I have never lost a parent, the passing of Louise Suggs feels that way to me. Like a parent, she cared deeply for her LPGA family and took great pride in their successes. She always made time to hear my problems and challenges – her personal guidance was priceless. Like a parent, I think she was even more proud of the LPGA players of today than she was of her own playing results.

"

Current LPGA Tour golfers Morgan Pressel, Cristie Kerr and Beatriz Recari were among the many who honored Suggs on social media:

Suggs will always be remembered for her role in the formation of the LPGA. Of course, she was also a decorated golfer in her own right. Her 11 major wins are third-most on the LPGA Tour, and she's one of only seven women to capture the career Grand Slam, per ESPN Stats & Info.

"Her swing combines all the desirable elements of efficiency, timing and coordination," wrote Ben Hogan in the foreword to Suggs' book, Par Golf for Women (via the World Golf Hall of Fame). "Yes, despite her slight build, she is consistently as long off the tee and through the fairway as any of her feminine contemporaries in competitive golf."

In addition to helping found the organization, Suggs served as LPGA president from 1955-57. She earned induction into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1951.