Jocelyne Bourassa, CM (May 30, 1947 – August 3, 2021) was a Canadian professional golfer, who had a distinguished amateur career. She was Rookie of the Year on the LPGA Tour in 1972 and ended her career with one victory on the tour.
Early life and amateur career Bourassa was born in Shawinigan, Quebec. She studied Physical Education at the Université de Montréal where she was a member of the volleyball, basketball, skiing and track and field teams.
Bourassa won the Quebec Junior golf championship in 1963, 1964, and 1965. In 1965, she also captured the Canadian Women's Amateur. She repeated as the national amateur champion in 1971.
Professional career In 1972, she turned professional. That year Bourassa won LPGA Rookie of the Year honors. The following year she won the first-ever La Canadienne golf championship, now the Canadian Women's Open. She was the only Canadian woman to win the Canadian Women's Open until Brooke Henderson in 2018.
Awards and honours
In 1972, she won the LPGA's Rookie of the Year award. In 1972, Bourassa won the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award as Canada's best female athlete. In 1972, she was also made a Member of the Order of Canada.Order of Canada - Jocelyne Bourassa In 1992, Bourassa was elected to the Quebec Sports Hall of Fame. In 1995, she was inducted the Quebec Golf Hall of Fame In 1996, Bourassa was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame. In 2015, she was awarded the Order of Sport, marking her induction into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.
Amateur wins this list may be incomplete 1963 Quebec Junior, Quebec Amateur 1964 Quebec Junior 1965 Quebec Junior, Canadian Women's Amateur 1967 Eastern Province Championship, Scottish Girls Open Stroke Play Championship 1968 Eastern Province Championship 1969 Eastern Province Championship, Quebec Amateur 1970 Eastern Province Championship, World Amateur Championships (individual) 1971 Canadian Women's Amateur, Ontario Amateur, New Zealand Women's Amateur, Quebec Amateur
Professional wins (1) LPGA Tour wins (1) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunners-up1Jun 17, 1973La Canadienne−5 (68-73-73=214)Playoff Sandra Haynie Judy Rankin Note: Bourassa won the La Canadienne (which became the du Maurier Classic) before it became a major championship.
LPGA Tour playoff record (1–1) No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result11972Southgate Ladies Open Kathy WhitworthLost to par on fifth extra hole21973La Canadienne Sandra Haynie Judy RankinWon with birdie on third extra holeRankin eliminated by par on first hole
References
External links
Canadian Golf Hall of Fame profile