Vivien Saunders

Vivien Inez Saunders, OBE (born 24 November 1946) is a retired English professional golfer, known after winning the Women's British Open in 1977.[1][2] She had a successful amateur career, appearing in the 1968 Curtis Cup. She has published a number of golf books and instructional videos.

Vivien Saunders
OBE
Personal information
Full nameVivien Inez Saunders
Born (1946-11-24) 24 November 1946
Sutton, Surrey, England
Sporting nationality England
Career
Turned professional1969
Former tour(s)LPGA Tour

Early years

Saunders was born in Sutton, Surrey on 24 November 1946 and educated at Nonsuch County High School, Cheam, Surrey.

Golf career

Saunders was runner-up to Liz Chadwick in the 1966 British Ladies Amateur Golf Championship, losing 3 & 2 in the final.

Saunders turned professional in early 1969 and became the first European to qualify for the LPGA Tour later in 1969.[3]

Amateur wins

Professional wins

Other achievements

She was editor of Lady Golfer for several years, also the founder of the Women's Professional Golf Association[6] and the European Women's Tour. Made honorary life member of PGA and Women's European Tour but had to resign from each to regain amateur status and play. Previously on Executive Committee of PGA, Chairman Women's PGA. Among council member of National Coaching Foundation 1993 to 1997. She has twice won the British Sports Coach of the Year Award.

In 1986, she bought Abbotsley Golf Club, near St Neots, Cambridgeshire. She is the chairman of the Association of Golf Course Owners.[7]

Saunders was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for services to women's golf in the 1998 New Year Honours.[8][9][10]

In the 2015 general election, she ran against Prime Minister David Cameron in Witney for the Reduce VAT in Sport party, which she also led.[11][12]

Team appearances

Amateur

References
  1. Harris, Cathy (15 July 2013). "Top golfer Vivien Saunders attacks decision to stage Open at club that excludes women". The Sunday Times.
  2. Lennox, Doug (6 December 2013). Now You Know Absolutely Everything: Absolutely every Now You Know book in a single ebook. Dundurn. p. 1182. ISBN 9781459724785.
  3. Bundy, Bobby (11 October 2015). Best Senior Golf Secrets Revealed. Lulu Press. p. 188. ISBN 9781329615229.
  4. "Championship History". Archived from the original on 19 August 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  5. "Baiocchi's eagle pips Gallacher". Aberdeen Press and Journal. 22 March 1980. p. 19. Retrieved 28 September 2020 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. "Peter Alliss: Golf equality for women 'causing mayhem". BBC Sport. 7 April 2015. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  7. Gribben, Roland (3 November 2014). "Push to drive golf out of its bunker on course – but buyers wait in the wings". The Telegraph. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  8. "Officers of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire". The Times. 31 December 1997. p. 8.
  9. "Sir Tom joins Sir Stanley and Sir Bobby". The Times. 31 December 1997. p. 44.
  10. United Kingdom list: "No. 54993". The London Gazette (1st supplement). 30 December 1997. p. 13.
  11. "The 9 oddest political parties and candidates in the General Election". 30 April 2015.
  12. "Registration Summary: Reduce VAT in Sport". The Electoral Commission. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
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