JOAN LAWRENCE MBE (1930-2020)

Joan Lawrence MBE, "a legend of Scottish Woman's Golf", passed away in hospital last Thursday night, after suffering a stroke. She was 89.

Joan at the SGLA Centenary Lunch in 2009

Please note that due to COVID-19, the funeral will be held in private.

Joan Barrie Lawrence, MBE (1930-2020)

Joan was born in Cupar in 1930. Her father was a greenskeeper at Cupar Golf Club and lived on the edge of the course. At the age of 9 she took up the game of golf. It was a beginning of an incredible amateur golf career. 

A fierce competitor with a deadly short game, she played at the highest level of the amateur game. She won the Scottish Ladies' Amateur Championship three times from 1962 to 1964, only just missing out on a fourth title when she lost in the final to Belle Robertson in 1965.

She represented Scotland at the Home Internationals twelve times from 1959 to 1970, at the European Team Championship in 1964 and at the World Team Championships three times from 1965 to 1969.

As well as playing for Scotland, she represented GB&I at the Curtis Cup in 1964 and at the Vagliano Trophy twice from 1963 to 1965, helping her team to win the Trophy in 1963. 

She was also Vice-captain at the Curtis Cup in 1970 and Captain of the GB team that won Commonwealth (now Astor) Trophy in 1971.

Joan's talents were not limited to her activities on the course. She was a highly respected organiser, administrator and selector. Her wealth of experience and knowledge was invaluable for the numerous golf committees and boards on which she served and chaired.

She was a British Selector for eight years and the Chairman of Selectors from 1986-1988, during which time GB&I won the Curtis Cup twice.

She was Chairman of the Ladies' Golf Union from 1989 to 1990, President of the Scottish Veteran Ladies' Golfing Society from 1994 to 1995 and President of the Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association from 1995 to 1996. 

In 1999, Joan was awarded a MBE, "For services to Ladies' Amateur Golf", in the Queen's Birthday Honour's List.

She was a great character and a great golfer. She will be missed by many.

Her golfing achievements include:

Rep. Scotland at the Girls' Home Internationals 1949

Rep. Scotland at the Ladies' Home Internationals from 1959 to 1970

Scottish Ladies' Champion 1962, 1963 & 1964, Runner-up 1965
Member of the Vagliano Trophy team 1963 & 1965, GB&I won it in 1963
Member of the Curtis Cup team 1964
Rep. Scotland at the World Team Championship 1964
Rep. Scotland at the European Team Championship 1965 (2nd), 1967 & 1969
Vice-Captain of the Curtis Cup team 1970
Captain of the winning GB team at the Commonwealth (Astor) Trophy 1971
East of Scotland Champion 1971 & 1972
Scottish Veteran Ladies' Champion 1982, 1983 & 1984
Fife County Ladies' Champion 18 times, starting in 1953
Regular member of the Fife County Ladies' team for over 30 years
Aberdour Club Champion 12 times
Dunfermline (Canmore) Club Champion

Her other non-golfing roles include:
International Selector 1973-1976 and 1980-1983
Chairman of Selectors 1986-1988, GB&I won the Curtis Cup twice

Chairman of the Ladies' Golf Union 1989-1990

President of the Scottish Veteran Ladies' Golfing Society 1994-1995

President of the Scottish Ladies' Golfing Association 1995-1996

Captain of Aberdour Golf Club 1997-1998, 1st woman Club Captain

Captain of Fife County Ladies' Golf Association

Awards:
MBE "For services to Ladies' Amateur Golf", 1999