Maria Astrologes
Born August 10, 1953
Maria Elana Astrologes Combs-She played under her maiden name, Maria Astrologes, until her marriage in 1979.
She joined the LPGA tour in 1972 and retired in 1979. A short career brought her only one win when she beat Judy Rankin and JoAnn Garner after a playoff in the Birmingham classic, played on the Green Vally course.
Her scores were 66,74,70 which made her 6 under par for the three days.
Jo Ann Prentice
Born February 9, 1933
Although a late starter at 15 it seemed only natural for Jo Ann to join in when her three brothers had all become passionate golfers. With her later start, Jo Ann had only a short amateur career, although she did win the Alabama state championships in 1954.
Two years later in 1956, Jo Ann turned professional and then joined the regular tour 1957. She was seen as one of the LPGA’s most colorful and outspoken members, as well as one of its most consistent players.
A pupil of Bob Toski she broke through with her first win in the 1965 Jackson Invitational and won another five titles after, including the 1974 Colgate-Dinah Shore. That was her best season ever as she won more than $67,000 and finished fourth on the final money list.
Jo Ann had a steady swing with good rhythm and natural balance.
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Amy Alcott- Born 1956
The swing of Amy Alcott when she first joined the LPGA tour at the age of 18.
Amy Alcott tells that she first started to play golf when becoming fascinated with the game after watching it on TV. Self-taught, she would practice in the garden making her own small courses and using a child's imagination to overcome her self-made challenges. The natural thoughts of a young girl without technical detail in her mind can be seen in Amy`s 18-year-old swing. Using her optimum tempo she crashes through the ball. All the energy and violence can be seen in the contact and the momentum that carries her to the finish. Amy`s left heel rising is not a distraction and is often to be seen in great players who give it all they`ve got, especially in the lady's game.
Betsy Rawls
A comparison of swing mechanics after a decade
Betsy Rawls- Born in 1928 in South Carolina.
One of the great ladies of golf has now reached the grand old age of 93 years old.
Betsy Rawls started playing golf at the age of 17. She won her first Tournament, the Texas Amateur in 1949. In 1950, she finished second at the U.S. Women's Open as an amateur, and in 1951 she turned Professional.
1961- Betsy is in her prime at 31 years old
She went on to win eight Major Championships and 55 LPGA Tour events. She became a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1950.
1971
A decade apart, both films were taken by Irv Schloss. Betsy Rawls's swing shows virtually no difference, and she still has that almost inborn upper-torso lift on the backswing.
Sandra Post
A still taken from an Irv high-speed film taken in 1969
Sandra Post (born June 4, 1948) is the first Canadian to play on the LPGA Tour. In 1968 at age 20 in her rookie professional year, she won the LPGA Championship and was the youngest player at the time to win a major.
Born in Oakville Ontario Post was introduced to golf at age five by her father, and was seen as a youthful prodigy. She was competing in Ontario provincial events by age 13 and compiled an outstanding junior and amateur career that included winning the Ontario and Canadian Junior Girls Championships three times each.
Sandra hit her peak form between 1978 to 1981 and won seven of her eight titles.
In 1999, she was inducted into the Ontario sports hall of fame and in 2003, was honored by her country with membership in the Order of Canada.
Patty Berg
This film of the grand old lady of the ladies tour was taken by Irv in 1974. It confirms what a sound action she possessed, even at 55 years old.
This is great information John. I am starting an article on Irv in the next week and intend to have it ready in six to ten weeks. It will be at least twice as long as my standard articles. All material information would be much appreciated. Until now Irv has not received the credit he deserves. At all.
Yes, my long time teacher - Carl Lohren - Acknowledged that he learned a lot from Mr Schloss as well.