LPGA Championship & tribute to Mary Mills
Today is the first day of the year’s second LPGA Major Championship, the McDonald’s LPGA Championship. It would also be an appropriate time to salute our very own, Mary Mills. Mary is a two-time winner of the LPGA’s second oldest, Major Championship.
When Mary became the second youngest winner of the tournament in 1964, she beat the incomparable, Mickey Wright, by two shots at the Stardust Country Club in Las Vegas. Her second victory came in 1973 was at Pleasant Valley CC in Massachusetts. Mary was also the LPGA Tour’s, “Comeback Player of the Year”, in 1973.
Mary is on a very select list of players who have won multiple LPGA Championships. That list includes fellow golf legends, Annika Sorenstam, Mickey Wright, Nancy Lopez, Patty Sheehan and Kathy Whitworth.
Mary Mills is an extraordinary person. Since dedicating herself to teaching 25 years ago, she has helped thousands of golfers with their game. As Bird Golf’s, East Coast Director of Instruction for the last 9 years, Mary has enriched and inspired all her students who have come to a golf school with her.
Here are just some of the comments from Mary’s students:
“Mary is an exceptional instructor, with a terrific knowledge of the golf swing and the ability to apply to a player’s strengths and weaknesses. She spent three long days with me and never once did I feel I didn’t have her total concentration and energy. In addition, she is a wonderful person”. Dr. Michael Kelberman.
“I cannot even begin to describe my time at my golf school with Mary Mills. Her energy, enthusiasm and passion for the game is so contagious. Her method of instruction was phenomenal. This has been the dream of a lifetime that I will NEVER forget.” Dianna Ratliff.
“Having Mary Mills as an instructor was an amazing experience. Nothing was lacking. She is the consummate professional, patient, intuitive and well, what can I say about her playing ability. It was almost a distraction when we played 18 holes (I just wanted to watch her). The best part, however, is that she manages to deliver all that expertise to someone on my level in an easy to understand manner.” Monica Cohen.
“Our time with Mary was awesome. We told Mary her patience was “Academy Award winning”!!!! We have both played a few times here and already notice a great improvement particularly in certain situations where we previously had difficulty. Thanks for an experience we will never forget.” Dick and Linda Mills.
“Mary is first a genuinely fine person and secondly a great instructor. To spend time with someone who has successfully competed at the level that she has was a true honor. To visit with her and hear her experiences with some of the legends of the game was truly inspiring.” Ronnie Keller.
“Of the eleven golf schools I have been to in my life, four days with Mary changed my life.” Ned Sokoloff.
“My three days with Mary; were the best instruction I have ever had. I got more out of those three days than any lessons/schools that I ever have been involved in. I was so impressed with Mary’s experience and knowledge of the golf swing and how to teach it.” Mike Cole.
These are just excerpts from the library of letters and e-mails that we have had about Mary over the last 9 years.
Mary, you are a golfing legend. You are a teacher without peer. You are an incredible human being and we are so honored that you are a part of the Bird Golf family.
