Bell, Peggy Kirk (1921–)

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Bell, Peggy Kirk (1921–)

American golfer. Name variations: Margaret Anne Kirk. Born Margaret Anne Kirk, Oct 28, 1921, in Findlay, Ohio; attended Sargent Physical Education School in Boston, MA; graduate of Rollins College in Florida; m. Warren E. ("Bullet") Bell (pro basketball player, 1953).

As an amateur, won the North, South, and Eastern Women's titles; went on to win the Titleholders in Augusta, the 1st to break 300 in that tournament; teaming up with Babe Zaharias, won the International Four-Ball (1947); joined Curtis Cup team; turned pro (1950) and became a charter member of Ladies' Professional Golf Association (LPGA); turned to teaching and was voted Teacher of the Year by the LPGA (1961); with husband, bought (1953) and built Pine Needles Lodge and Country Club in North Carolina. Published A Woman's Way to Better Golf (1966); received Ellen Griffin Rolex Award (1989).