Laurie Rinker
Encyclopedia
Laurie Anne Rinker is an American professional golfer
who played on the LPGA Tour in the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s.
. She attended the University of Florida
in Gainesville, Florida
, where she played for coach Mimi Ryan
's Florida Gators women's golf
team from 1980 to 1982. She was recognized as an All-American in 1980 and 1982, and qualified for the LPGA Tour in the summer between her junior and senior year of college. She completed her education by traveling to the University of Florida during off weeks, and graduated with a bachelor's degree
in finance in 1983.
. Her best finishes in the LPGA majors included a seventh place in the 1984 Nabisco Dinah Shore
, a tie for third in the 1987 LPGA Championship
, and a tie for seventh in the 1995 du Maurier Classic
. The most lucrative year of her career was 1987, when she earned $158,916 and had nine top-10 finishes. To date, she has won over $1,200,000 as a professional golfer.
, have played on the PGA Tour
. She competed under her married name, Laurie Rinker-Graham, from 1992 to 2003. She has two sons, Brent and Timothy.
Professional golfer
In golf the distinction between amateurs and professionals is rigorously maintained. An amateur who breaches the rules of amateur status may lose his or her amateur status. A golfer who has lost his or her amateur status may not play in amateur competitions until amateur status has been reinstated;...
who played on the LPGA Tour in the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s.
Amateur career
Rinker was born and raised in Stuart, FloridaStuart, Florida
Stuart is the only incorporated city of Martin County, Florida, on Florida's Treasure Coast. The population was 14,633 at the 2000 census. As of 2007, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 15,964....
. She attended the University of Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
in Gainesville, Florida
Gainesville, Florida
Gainesville is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Alachua County, Florida, United States as well as the principal city of the Gainesville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area . The preliminary 2010 Census population count for Gainesville is 124,354. Gainesville is home to the sixth...
, where she played for coach Mimi Ryan
Mimi Ryan
Mimi Ryan is a former American college golf coach. Ryan was the founder and long-time head coach of the Florida Gators women's golf program at the University of Florida...
's Florida Gators women's golf
Florida Gators women's golf
The Florida Gators women's golf team represents the University of Florida in the sport of golf. The Lady Gators compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the Southeastern Conference . They play their home matches on the Mark Bostick Golf Course on the university's...
team from 1980 to 1982. She was recognized as an All-American in 1980 and 1982, and qualified for the LPGA Tour in the summer between her junior and senior year of college. She completed her education by traveling to the University of Florida during off weeks, and graduated with a bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in finance in 1983.
Professional career
Rinker's best years in professional golf came in the mid-1980s, and included two LPGA Tour wins: the 1984 Boston Five Classic and the 1986 LPGA Corning ClassicLPGA Corning Classic
The LPGA Corning Classic was an annual golf tournament for professional female golfers on the LPGA Tour. It took place every year from 1979 through 2009 at the Corning Country Club in Corning, New York....
. Her best finishes in the LPGA majors included a seventh place in the 1984 Nabisco Dinah Shore
1984 Nabisco Dinah Shore
The 1984 Nabisco Dinah Shore was played at Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California. This was the 13th edition of the Kraft Nabisco Championship, and the second edition as a major championship...
, a tie for third in the 1987 LPGA Championship
1987 LPGA Championship
The 1987 LPGA Championship was played at Jack Nicklaus Golf Center in Kings Island, Ohio. This was the 33rd edition of the LPGA Championship and was played from May 21-24.This championship was won by Jane Geddes.-Final leaderboard:-External links:*...
, and a tie for seventh in the 1995 du Maurier Classic
1995 du Maurier Classic
The 1995 du Maurier Classic was contested from August 24–27 at Beaconsfield Golf Club. It was the 23rd edition of the du Maurier Classic, and the 17th edition as a major championship on the LPGA Tour.This event was won by Jenny Lidback.-Final leaderboard:...
. The most lucrative year of her career was 1987, when she earned $158,916 and had nine top-10 finishes. To date, she has won over $1,200,000 as a professional golfer.
Family
Rinker's two brothers, Larry and LeeLee Rinker
Lee Cross Rinker is an American professional golfer.Rinker was born in Stuart, Florida. He played college golf at the University of Alabama and turned professional in 1983...
, have played on the PGA Tour
PGA Tour
The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
. She competed under her married name, Laurie Rinker-Graham, from 1992 to 2003. She has two sons, Brent and Timothy.
Amateur wins
- 1980 U.S. Girls' JuniorUnited States Girls' Junior Golf ChampionshipThe United States Girls' Junior Championship is one of the thirteen U.S. national golf championships organized by the United States Golf Association. It is open to amateur girls who are under 18 on the last day of the competition and have a USGA handicap index of 18.4 or less...
- 1982 Doherty Challenge Cup
LPGA Tour wins (2)
- 19841984 LPGA TourThe 1984 LPGA Tour was the 35th season since the LPGA Tour officially began in 1950. The season ran from January 26 to November 4. The season consisted of 36 official money events. Amy Alcott and Patty Sheehan won the most tournaments, four each...
Boston Five Classic - 19861986 LPGA TourThe 1986 LPGA Tour was the 37th season since the LPGA Tour officially began in 1950. The season ran from January 23 to November 9. The season consisted of 33 official money events. Pat Bradley won the most tournaments, five. She also led the money list with earnings of $492,021.There were five...
LPGA Corning ClassicLPGA Corning ClassicThe LPGA Corning Classic was an annual golf tournament for professional female golfers on the LPGA Tour. It took place every year from 1979 through 2009 at the Corning Country Club in Corning, New York....
Other wins
- 1984 Bridgestone Ladies Open (LPGA of Japan TourLPGA of Japan TourThe Japan LPGA Tour is a professional golf tour for women organised by the Ladies Professional Golfers' Association of Japan. It is the second richest women's golf tour in the world. The U.S.-based LPGA Tour is the most important women's tour, but the prize money gap has closed markedly since the...
) - 1985 JCPenney ClassicJCPenney ClassicThe JCPenney Classic was a mixed team golf tournament sponsored by the PGA Tour and the LPGA Tour. Teams consisted of one PGA Tour player and one LPGA Tour player . It was played in California and Florida...
(with brother Larry Rinker)
See also
- List of Florida Gators golfers
- List of University of Florida alumni