• Slug: Sports-Marilynn Smith Golf, 1,100 words.
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By Brett Lapinski
Cronkite News

SCOTTSDALE – When Debbie Waitkus published a story on LPGA icon Marilynn Smith following her World Golf Hall of Fame induction, it was supposed to be nothing more than a tribute to her golfing journey. However, 18 years later, that story has brought her to a place she never would’ve imagined the day she put the pen to paper.

Founded in 2020 under Waitkus following the passing of Smith in 2019, Golf It Forward has been a cornerstone in the golf community, preserving the legacy of the 13 LPGA co-founders and sharing their passion for the future of women’s golf with the world. The non-profit organization will host a series of events from Sunday to Wednesday at Gainey Ranch Golf Club in Scottsdale to fundraise for scholarships.

The foundation’s roots are inspired by Smith, who was one of, if not the most prolific pioneer in women’s golf history. While she amassed 21 tournament victories during her LPGA Tour career, it was off the green that truly cemented her legacy. Smith helped co-found the LPGA and was recognized as the “LPGA’s Goodwill Ambassador” for her efforts to promote the sport.

She became the first female television commentator at a men’s golf tournament at the 1973 U.S. Open Championship and is estimated to have globally taught 250,000 golfers across 4,000 clinics. In 2006, Smith was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Waitkus, the future president of Golf It Forward, just happened to be attending. However, her’ journey to where she sits now is about as rare as a hole-in-one.

“I became involved with golf much later than people probably would think,” Waitkus said. “The first time I ever played, I was pregnant with my daughter.”

Waitkus played nearly every sport growing up, but golf to her was anything but a sport since it lacked the team element.

Her first opportunity to test her long-running theory head-on came when a coworker asked Waitkus to join her and a few others to play a round. Not only did Waitkus need a set of clubs, but she also needed a quick lesson.

“My mom called me and said there was a set in the garage,” Waitkus said. “She told me that the only thing missing was a driver. I responded by saying that it would be okay since we take our own golf carts. I didn’t know a driver was a golf club, and now I work deep in the golf industry.”

After her first outing, Waitkus became increasingly involved, including writing articles in different magazines about women in sports and even establishing her own company in 2000 called Golf For Cause to help empower businesswomen through golf. When the World Golf Hall of Fame induction ceremony came around in 2006, Waitkus attended as part of a think tank called Golf 2020. As soon as Smith stepped foot on the stage, Waitkus felt an immediate connection.

“I was so inspired by her story,” Waitkus said. “She talked about how she originally thought golf was a sissy sport and that she didn’t know anything about it until she let out a four-letter word playing baseball, causing her parents to make her take up golf so she could play a ladylike sport.

“I was like, oh my gosh. This is my girl. An athlete who didn’t like golf and then fell in love with it.”

Waitkus wrote a story about Smith, which she shared with Peggy Gustafson, an LPGA teaching professional in Arizona. Gustafson agreed to share the article with Smith, who called Waitkus two days later.

“She was one of my dearest friends ever since,” Waitkus said. “We spoke every morning, sometimes several times a day. I was like a sponge soaking up things through different stories.

“I was able to know her for about 10 years. I am so blessed looking back on the fact that I never really wanted to play golf, and now it’s given me so many things in life.”

The latest thing golf has given Waitkus is the ability to continue on Smith’s legacy and traditions through Golf it Forward. Smith’s greatest tradition is the Marilynn Smith Scholarship, which will hit its 25th anniversary in 2024. The scholarship provides a monetary value of $5,000, and over $1 million has been given to girls who hope for a future in golf.

To be eligible, one must already be committed to playing collegiate golf. The scholarship is typically awarded through the LPGA, but it’s been Golf It Forward’s mission to fulfill Smith’s dream of giving as many girls as possible a chance to earn the scholarship.

“The LPGA gives out only five scholarships, but we want to add to that,” said Deborah Grischo, vice president and chair of the scholarship committee at Golf It Forward. “This year we’re giving out 25 scholarships, and we have been raising more and more money each year.”

Smith wanted to provide more than just scholarships to the girls receiving them. She would follow up with the recipients by writing to them and becoming pen pals to foster connection. To honor Smith’s heartwarming tradition, Golf It Forward deems anyone who receives a scholarship a PEARL to remember Smith’s most notable fashion trend.

“When Marilynn started playing golf in the 1950s, she’d always have her signature pearl necklace on,” Grisco said. “By being deemed a PEARL, we are trying to create a way for all these girls to be able to come together for advice and build a community throughout their lives.”

Teeing off the week’s event lineup is the Sunday Tea, which will allow fans to meet LPGA professionals, learn about the founders of the LPGA and experience a one-of-a-kind memorabilia display.

The following day will play host to The Marilynn Smith Scholarship Pro-Am, which gives four amateur golfers the chance to team up with one LPGA Tour Professional and will honor LPGA pioneers Renee Powell and Sandra Post. Major bragging rights will be on the line.

The most prominent event of the bunch, the Marilynn Smith Arizona Senior Women’s Open, is set for Tuesday and Wednesday and ready to make a huge splash this year.

“For the first time ever, we are paying every person in the event no matter what place they come in,” tournament director Carla Glasgow said. “Even last place will receive $500, and for the tournament’s 35-year entirety, I always thought that should happen.”

The tournament’s purse holds a whopping $100,000 and duos from across the country will aim to drive, chip and putt their way to victory.

Nevertheless, no prize money will overshadow the meaning of keeping Smith’s legacy alive and setting the playing field for the future of women’s golf.

For more stories from Cronkite News, visit cronkitenews.azpbs.org.