Remembering Judy Rankin’s birthday on February 18: a look at the life of the St. Louis golf legend and broadcasting icon

Judy Rankin was born on February 18, 1945, in St. Louis, Missouri. She joined the LPGA Tour at the age of 17 and went on to win 26 tournaments, becoming the first player to earn more than $100,000 in a single LPGA season. Rankin was a dominant figure in golf, earning the title of LPGA Player of the Year twice, in 1976 and 1977, and winning the Vare Trophy three times. Although she never captured a major championship, she claimed victories in notable events such as the Colgate Dinah Shore Winner’s Circle in 1976 and the Peter Jackson Classic in 1977. After retiring in 1983 due to back problems, she successfully captained Solheim Cup teams to victory. In 2000, Rankin was inducted into the LPGA Tour Hall of Fame, and in 2002, she received the Bob Jones Award. Following her playing career, she transitioned into broadcasting, contributing to golf coverage on ESPN, ABC, and the Golf Channel. Rankin settled in Midland, Texas, where she and her husband, Walter “Yippy” Rankin, raised their son, Walter Jr. Despite facing cancer, she demonstrated remarkable resilience, embodying a strong and determined spirit both on and off the golf course.