Judy Rankin
Name:
Judy Torluemke RankinCountry:
USABorn:
Feb 18, 1945 in St Louis , Missouri.Original/Home Club:
Occupation:
Professional golfer; television commentator.Turned Pro:
1962 (aged 17)America
Western Union Intl
Played as the WUI Classic. Beth Daniel (USA) finished 2 shots behind defending champion Rankin (USA), who recorded the last of her 26 LPGA Tour wins. [Meadow Brook Club, Jericho, Long Island, NY].
America
Western Union Intl
Played as the WUI Classic (sponsor: Western Union Intl). Debbie Massey (USA) and Pam Higgins (USA) finished 2 shots behind Rankin (USA). [North Hills CC, Manhasset, Long Island, NY].
Europe
Colgate
Played as the Colgate European Women's Open (Aug 3-6; LPGA Tr event). Second-placed Nancy Lopez (USA) finished 6 shots behind Judy Rankin (USA), who recorded her second win in this event in four years. [Old course, Sunningdale GC, Sunningdale, Berks].
Awards
LPGA Tr
Rankin (USA) won her third (and second straight) Vare Trophy, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the LPGA Tour.
America
Peter Jackson
Played as the Peter Jackson Classic (Jul 1-3). Second-placed Pat Meyers (USA) and Sandra Palmer (USA) finished 1 shot behind Judy Rankin (USA). [Club de Golf Lachute, Lachute, Québec].
America
x
Played as the LPGA National Team Championship (Sept 16-18; unofficial LPGA Tr team event). JoAnne Carner (USA) & Judy Rankin (USA) beat Betty Burfeindt (USA) & Pam Higgins (USA) with Carner's eight-foot birdie putt at the first playoff hole. [Columbia Edgewater CC, Portland, Oregon].
Awards
LPGA Tr
Rankin (USA) won her second straight LPGA Tour Player of the Year Award, based on a points system for top 10 finishes and performance in Majors.
America
Mayflower
Played as the Mayflower Classic. Second-placed Jane Blalock (USA) finished 2 shots behind Rankin (USA). [Harbour Trees GC, Noblesville, Indiana].
Awards
LPGA Tr
Rankin (USA) won her second straight LPGA Tour Money List, with 1977 season earnings of $122,890 on the Tour. JoAnne Carner (USA) was second on the money list.
America
x
Played as the Bent Tree Ladies Classic. Second-placed Clifford Ann Creed (USA) finished 4 shots behind Rankin (USA). [Bent Tree CC, nr Sarasota, Florida].
America
x
Played as the Orange Blossom Classic. Second-placed Joyce Kazmierski (USA) finished 5 shots behind Rankin (USA), who recorded her 20th LPGA Tour win. [Pasadena GC, Gulfport, Florida; now called Pasadena Yatch & CC].
America
x
Played as the Babe Zaharias Invitational. Rankin (USA) won by one shot over second-placed Jane Blalock (USA). [Tanglewood Club, Chagrin Falls, Ohio].
America
Ping
Played as the Karsten Ping Open. Second-placed Sandra Post (Can) finished 7 shots behind Rankin (USA). [McCormick Ranch GC, Paradise Valley, nr Phoenix, AZ].
America
Borden
Played as the Borden Classic. Second-placed Pat Bradley (USA) and Hollis Stacy (USA) finished 5 shots behind Rankin (USA). [Riviera CC, Dublin, Ohio, which permanently closed in 2015].
Awards
LPGA Tr
Rankin (USA) won the LPGA Tour 1976 Money List, with earnings of $150,734 on the Tour. Donna Caponi (USA) was second on the money list.
America
Colgate
Played as the Colgate Dinah Shore Winners Circle (5th) (April 1-4). Second-placed Betty Burfeindt (USA) finished 3 shots behind Judy Rankin (USA). [Dinah Shore Tournament course, Mission Hills CC, Rancho Mirage, CA].
Awards
LPGA Tr
Rankin (USA) won the LPGA Tour Player of the Year Award, based on a points system for top 10 finishes and performance in Majors.
Asia
Colgate
Played as the Colgate Hong Kong Open. Chako Higuchi finished in second place behind Rankin.
America
Burdine's
Played as Burdine's Invitational. Second-placed Pat Bradley (USA) finished 3 shots behind Rankin (USA). [Kendale Lakes CC, nr Miami, FL; now called Miccosukee G&CC].
Awards
LPGA Tr
Rankin (USA) won her second Vare Trophy, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the LPGA Tour.
America
Natl Jewish Hosp.
Played as the National Jewish Hospital Open. Second-placed Jane Blalock (USA) and defending champion Sandra Haynie (USA) finished 2 shots behind Rankin (USA). [Pinehurst CC, Denver, Colorado].
America
x
Played as the Baltimore Classic (for the last time until 1977). Second-placed Susie Berning (USA), Marilynn Smith (USA), Carol Mann (USA) and Kathy Whitworth (USA) finished 1 shot behind defending champion Rankin (USA). [Pine Ridge GC, Baltimore, Maryland].
Europe
Colgate
Played as the inaugural Colgate European Women's Open (Aug 7-10; unofficial LPGA Tr event). Sue Roberts (USA) and Mary Mills (USA) finished 5 shots behind Judy Rankin (USA). [Old course, Sunningdale GC, Sunningdale, Berks].
America
American Defender
Played as the American Defender Raleigh Classic. Second-placed Chako Higuchi (Jpn) finished 2 shots behind Rankin (USA). [Raleigh CC, Raleigh, North Carolina].
America
Pabst
Played as the Pabst Ladies Classic. Second-placed Debbie Austin (USA) finished 3 shots behind Rankin (USA), who recorded her 10th LPGA Tour win. [Riviera CC, Dublin, Ohio, which permanently closed in 2015].
America
GAC
Played as the GAC Classic. Rankin (USA) beat Sandra Palmer (USA) with a par at the third playoff hole. Gerda Boykin (Ger) was eliminated at the first playoff hole. [Forty Niner CC, Tucson, AZ].
America
Carling
Played as the Lady Carling Open. Second-placed Sandra Haynie (USA) finished 4 shots behind Rankin (USA). [Pine Ridge GC, Baltimore, Maryland].
Awards
LPGA Tr
Rankin (USA) won the Vare Trophy, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the LPGA Tour.
America
x
Played as the Lady Eve Open. Rankin (USA) beat Kathy Whitworth (USA) with an eagle at the first playoff hole, having eagled the same hole when played as the 72nd hole in regulation play. [Memorial Park GC, Houston, TX].
America
x
Played as the Heritage Village Open. Second-placed Betty Burfeindt (USA) finished 5 shots behind Rankin (USA). [Heritage Village CC, Southbury, Connecticut].
America
Quality First
Played as the Quality First Classic. Rankin (USA) beat Jane Blalock (USA) with a par at the second playoff hole. [Lake Waco CC, Waco, Texas].
America
Lincoln
Played as the Lincoln-Mercury Open. Second-placed Kathy Whitworth (USA) finished 1 shot behind Rankin (USA). [Round Hill CC, Alamo, California].
America
Jaycee
Played as the Springfield Jaycee Open. Lesley Holbert (USA) finished 1 shot behind Rankin (USA). [Northwood Hills, Springfield, Ohio].
America
x
Played as the inaugural George Washington Golf Classic. Second-placed Sandra Haynie (USA) finished 1 shot behind Rankin (USA), who recorded her second LPGA Tour win. [Hidden Spring GC, Horsham, Pennsylvania; now called Commonwealth Natl GC].
America
Civitan
Played as the Corpus Christi Civitan Open. First-time LPGA Tour winner Rankin (USA) beat Sandra Spuzich (USA) with a par at the second playoff hole. [Pharaoh CC, Corpus Christi, Texas; now permanently closed].
Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.
Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.
Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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