The golf world is in mourning as it pays tribute to one of its most remarkable and quietly legendary figures. Pat Lesser Harbottle, a trailblazer in women’s golf, passed away on Wednesday morning at the age of 91 in Tacoma. Her legacy in the sport will forever be remembered and celebrated.
Born in 1929, Lesser Harbottle grew up in a time when women’s golf was not given the recognition and opportunities it deserved. However, she refused to let that stop her from pursuing her passion for the game. She witnessed the attack on Pearl Harbor as a child, an event that would shape her life and inspire her to become a resilient and determined individual.
Lesser Harbottle’s love for golf began at the age of 12 when she started caddying for her father at the Tacoma Country Club. She quickly fell in love with the sport and began honing her skills. In 1947, at the age of 18, she won the Washington State Women’s Amateur Championship, the first of her many achievements in the sport.
But it was her victory over one of golf’s greatest, Babe Didrikson Zaharias, in the 1947 Women’s Western Amateur Championship that truly put Lesser Harbottle on the map. Didrikson Zaharias was a dominant force in women’s golf at the time, and Lesser Harbottle’s win was a significant milestone for women in the sport.
Lesser Harbottle’s success continued as she went on to win the Washington State Women’s Amateur Championship six more times, the Pacific Northwest Women’s Amateur Championship five times, and the Pacific Northwest Senior Women’s Amateur Championship four times. She also competed in several US Women’s Amateur Championships, making it to the quarterfinals in 1950.
Her achievements on the golf course were not limited to amateur events. Lesser Harbottle also won the Tacoma City Championship five times and the Washington State Open Championship twice. She was a dominant force in the sport, and her determination and skill paved the way for future generations of women golfers.
But Lesser Harbottle’s impact on women’s golf goes beyond her impressive record. She was a pioneer for women’s rights in the sport, advocating for equal opportunities and recognition for female golfers. She was also a mentor to many young players, inspiring them to chase their dreams and never give up.
Her contributions to the sport did not go unnoticed, as she was inducted into the Pacific Northwest Golf Hall of Fame in 1989 and the Washington State Golf Association Hall of Fame in 1991. Lesser Harbottle’s legacy will continue to inspire and motivate generations of female golfers to come.
The golf world has lost a true legend, but her legacy will live on forever. Lesser Harbottle’s determination, resilience, and passion for the game will continue to inspire women in golf and beyond. She will be deeply missed, but her impact on the sport will never be forgotten.
As we mourn the loss of Pat Lesser Harbottle, let us also celebrate her life and the incredible mark she left on the world of golf. She will always be remembered as a trailblazer, a champion, and a true inspiration. Rest in peace, Pat Lesser Harbottle. Your legacy will continue to shine bright in the golf world.