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Babe Didrikson Zaharias USGA Exhibit To Open At Golf House
March 24, 2004
Far Hills, N.J. — The USGA Museum will unveil a new exhibit — "Let Me Play Again - Babe Didrikson Zaharias, Cancer, and the 1954 U.S. Women's Open" beginning May 22, 2004.
The exhibit, which will remain on display through March 31, 2005, and include an overview of Zaharias' multifaceted athletic career, will focus specifically on her golf achievements and her victory in the 1954 U.S. Women's Open. This year marks the 50 th anniversary of her heroic comeback from cancer to win the most prestigious championship in women's golf.
"We're very grateful to have had the enthusiastic cooperation of Babe's family and the Babe Zaharias Foundation, and have secured exceptional artifacts, photos, and film footage that chronicle her life and times," said Rand Jerris, director of the USGA Museum and Archives.
Participating in numerous sports in which she excelled and set several records, Zaharias is recognized as the greatest female athlete of the first half of the 20th century. She was named Woman Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press six different times. No other athlete, male or female, has received this honor as often.
Zaharias mastered tennis, played organized baseball and softball, and was an expert diver and bowler. She was a three-time All-America basketball player. In track and field, Zaharias either held or shared the world record in four events and held the American record in four events. She also won two gold medals and one silver medal for the United States in the 1932 Olympics.
But Zaharias achieved her most extraordinary accomplishments in golf. She won every major professional championship at least once and captured 13 consecutive amateur tournaments. In addition, she was the first American to capture the Ladies British Open Amateur and the first to win both that title and the U.S. Women's Amateur.
Her victory in the 1954 Women's Open is even more extraordinary as Babe had been diagnosed with colon cancer, and had undergone a radical surgery only 14 months prior to the championship. Her determination both on and off the golf course would earn her the respect of her colleagues, the admiration of the American people, and praise from then President Dwight Eisenhower.
In conjunction with the exhibit, the USGA will present a series of educational programs targeted at children and adults. A special "Newspapers in Education" supplement will be developed and distributed to schools throughout the country in conjunction with The New York Times. A series of lectures and panel discussions with Zaharias' contemporaries, as well as discussions with authors and scholars, will be held for adults and USGA Members.
Each month, representatives of the Museum will take an element of the exhibit on the road, addressing senior citizen's groups, corporations, service organizations and other interested organizations.
The exhibit is open to the public without charge from May 22, 2004, to March 31, 2005, between 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years.
The United States Golf Association (USGA) has served as the national governing body of golf since its formation in 1894. The USGA is a non-profit organization run by golfers for the benefit of golfers. The Association sponsors programs that benefit everyone who plays the game. These essential services affect all golfers, whether they are amateurs or professionals, public- or private-course players.
Founded in 1935, the USGA Museum is the oldest museum dedicated to sports in this country. The collection comprises more than 42,000 artifacts, 20,000 books, half a million photographs, and thousands of hours of historic film and video. These incredible assets were assembled during the past seven decades, largely by donations from individuals and corporations.
The United States Golf Association Museum is located at 77 Liberty Corner Road in Far Hills, N.J. Contact the Museum by calling 908-234-2300.
For more information, please contact the United States Golf Association at (908) 234-2300.
From I-287 Northbound
Proceed to Exit 26/Mt. Airy Road. At end of exit ramp, bear right and merge onto Mt. Airy Road. Proceed to traffic light. Turn right onto Lyons Road, then turn right onto Liberty Corner Road. Proceed 1.8 miles to USGA on left.
From I-287 Southbound
Take Exit 26/Mt. Airy Road. At end of exit ramp, bear left and proceed to first traffic light. Turn right onto Lyons Road, then turn right onto Liberty Corner Road. Proceed 1.8 miles to USGA on left.
From I-78: Eastbound
Take Exit 33 - Martinsville Road/Bernardsville. Turn left at end of exit ramp and proceed to fifth traffic light. Turn left onto Valley Road. Proceed one-third of a mile and turn left onto Liberty Corner Road. Proceed 1.8 miles to USGA on left.
From I-78: Westbound
Take Exit 33 - Martinsville Road/Bernardsville. Turn right at end of exit ramp and proceed to fourth traffic light. Turn left onto Valley Road. Proceed one-third of a mile and turn left onto Liberty Corner Road. Proceed 1.8 miles to USGA on left.
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