Betty Hicks

Who was Betty Hicks?

Elizabeth M. "Betty" Hicks was an American professional golfer, golf coach and teacher, aviator, and author. She also competed under her married name, Betty Hicks Newell.

Hicks was born in Long Beach, California. As an amateur golfer, she won the 1941 U.S. Women's Amateur and was Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year. She turned professional later that year.

Hicks competed on the LPGA Tour, finishing second several times in the 1950s but never winning. She finished second in the U.S. Women's Open in 1948 and 1954 and third in 1957. She won the All American Open, which would later become a LPGA Tour event, in 1944.

Hicks coached the women's golf team at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, California, where she also coordinated the aviation department.

As an author, Hicks co-authored the book "Golf Manual for Teachers" with Ellen Griffin in 1949. In 1996, she co-authored "Patty Sheehan on Golf" with Patty Sheehan. In 2006, she wrote "My Life: From Fairway to Airway" which chronicles her life in golf and her second career as a pilot.