Former Curtis Cup Player Barbara Fay White Dies


October 18 , 2004

Barbara Fay White, 64, a member of the 1964 and '66 USA Curtis Cup teams, died in her hometown of Shreveport, La., on Oct. 15 after a battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig 's disease).

A graduate of Texas Christian University, with degrees in English and physical education, she had an outstanding amateur career and was a member of the winning 1966 USA Women's World Amateur Team.

As a Curtis Cup player she was 3-0-1 in singles competition and 4-0-0 in foursomes. She is one of only 10 players to go 4-0 in a single Curtis Cup match, a feat she accomplished in 1966. With partner Carol Sorenson, she holds the record for the largest winning margin in an 18-hole foursomes match with an 8-and-7 victory in 1964. She is tied with six other players for the highest winning percentage (1,000) in foursomes play with her 4-0 record.

With a compact, efficient swing and sporting yet competitive nature, White was a force in women's amateur golf in the mid-1960s. Her fine record included victories in the 1964 and '66 Women's Western Amateur Championship, the 1967 Women's Southern Amateur Championship, the 1964 Women's South Atlantic Championship, and the 1964 Women's Harder Hall Invitational. As an amateur, she tied for 18th in the 1964 U.S. Women's Open.

As Barbara Fay Boddie, she advanced to the semifinal round of the 1966 U.S. Women's Amateur, losing to eventual champion JoAnne Gunderson Carner, 1 up. She was the stroke-play medalist in the 1969 Women's Amateur with a 36-hole score of 147 and lost in the third round. She advanced to the third round of the U.S. Women's Amateur in 1963 and '65. She later turned professional and played briefly on the LPGA Tour.

White grew up in Shreveport and spent her childhood years at Querbes Golf Club, where her father, Ned White, was the professional. After turning professional, she managed Par Three Golf Club in Shreveport. She retired from professional golf to devote time to raising three sons and later built Crooked Hollow Golf Course, literally driving heavy construction equipment to build the course she designed. She considered Crooked Hollow one of her greatest accomplishments.

She is survived by her sons, Brook Boddie, Peyton Boddie and wife Traci, and Clay Boddie and wife Casey; and two granddaughters. Donations can be made in her name to the Muscular Dystrophy Association for ALS research, 4921 Shed Rd, #500, Bossier City, LA, 71111, or the building fund of Broadmoor Baptist Church in Shreveport.

Story written by Rhonda Glenn, manager of communications for the USGA. E-mail her with comments or questions at rglenn@usga.org.