LPGA co-founder Jameson dead at age 89

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Feb. 8 (UPI) -- Ladies Professional Golf Association founder Betty Jameson has died in Daytona Beach, Fla., at the age of 89, the LPGA announced.

Jameson, who was one of the golfing association's 13 original founders in 1950, died Saturday of unspecified causes, the organization said on its Web site.

Jameson first became a tennis professional in 1945 after a successful amateur career, and as a golfer, made history at the 1947 U.S. Women's Open by posting the first sub-300 score for 72 holes by a woman.

Jameson is credited with implementing the annual presentation of the LPGA Vare Trophy, given to the female golfer who wins the title of LPGA scoring average leader.

In addition to being accepted into the Hall of Fame of Women's Golf, Jameson was one of the six inaugural LPGA Tour Hall of Fame inductees in 1967, the LPGA noted.

Jameson, who left no reported survivors, was also inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame and the Women's Sports Foundation Hall of Fame.