Baugh, Laura (1955–)

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Baugh, Laura (1955–)

American golfer. Name variations: Laura Baugh Cole. Born May 31, 1955, in Gainesville, Florida; m. 2nd husband Bobby Cole (PGA Tour pro golfer), 1980 (div. 1985, remarried 1988, sep. 1998); attended California State—Long Beach.

At age 16 (1971), became the youngest US Women's Amateur golf champion in history (13 days younger than Beatrix Hoyt when she won in 1896); won Southern Amateur championships (1970, 1971); turned pro (1973); though she never won an LPGA tournament, reaped a harvest of commercial endorsements for her California blonde good looks. Named Rookie of the Year (1973).

See also autobiography Out of the Rough (Routledge).