Sixty years ago, a student who was involved in a sorority, Green Jackets, who was a winning golfer, and a cheerleader was named Homecoming Queen. She would go on to a stellar career as a professional golfer.

Sandra Palmer, a native of Fort Worth, grew up in Bangor, Maine. She first played golf at the age of thirteen. At that age she won the Lucerne Country Club and Maine State Junior Amateur titles. Her family returned to Fort Worth, Texas when she was fifteen. She continued to play golf and win tournaments, becoming the City of Fort Worth champion in 1959.

Although Odessa Junior College offered her a scholarship to play on their girls’ golf team, she decided to attend NTSU.

            “But I had heard a lot about the good physical

            education department and teachers at North Texas,

            and I was interested in obtaining a good background.”

            [Campus Chat, 1961-04-26]

She was the first person in her immediate family to earn a college degree, receiving her Bachelor of Science in physical education in 1964. After graduation she spent a year teaching physical education in a high school in Arlington, Texas.

 While a student, she played golf under the Women’s Athletic Association. This was the organizing body for women’s intramural athletics on campus. Women athletes were not part of the varsity system and would not be until the passage of Title IX in 1972. Ms. Palmer made her desire to play on a team known in a statement to the school newspaper:

            “I would like to see North Texas initiate a girls’ golf team.

            Although the boys often let me play with them, they haven’t

            admitted me to the team.”

            Sandra Palmer [Campus Chat, 1961-04-26]

Sandra Palmer was an active and involved student on campus. She was elected as the treasurer of the sophomore class in 1960. She was also a cheerleader. She was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority, which she pledged in 1960, and went on to serve as the chair of rush. She was a member of the Women’s Recreational Association and a Green Jackets member (which she joined in 1960). As a physical education major, she spent part of her time helping her fellow students learn how to golf. In addition, in 1961 she served as the sports manager for intramural basketball for dormitories and sororities.

She was named Homecoming Queen in 1961. A change was made by student leaders during the 1961 Homecoming when it was decided to name the Homecoming Queen once the votes were counted.  The newly elected queen was announced at the Bonfire and Pep Rally. This modification allowed her to reign throughout the Homecoming festivities and be identified as Queen on a float during the parade. Among her duties as Queen was helping Talon President Ray Williamson ignite the bonfire. Tradition was followed when she was crowned during half-time by Mike Koury, United Students of North Texas president. Her escort was football player and junior class president, Larry Sullivant. The other Queen finalists were Mary Bowers, Karen Koncak, Joan Kingsbury, and Julie Davis. They made up the Queen’s court. The theme of Homecoming was “University Year” to celebrate the school’s move from a college to university status. The university had an enrollment of 8,815 students at the time.

Also, in 1961, she was the runner-up in the National Collegiate Championship. Ms. Palmer was a four-time winner of the West Texas Amateur and won The Texas State Amateur in 1963. She also was the winner of the West Texas Golf Tournament championship for four years in a row (1960-1963).

Golf was not the only sport Ms. Palmer played during her time as a student. In 1962, she participated in the fifth annual Double B Invitational Collegiate tournament, which was sponsored by the women’s division of the physical education department. There were two sports played at the tournament, bowling, and basketball. Ms. Palmer was a member of the North Texas State University basketball team.

            “I enjoy basketball, swimming, and water skiing, but I

             seldom have time because of my practice hours.”

            [Campus Chat, 1961-04-26]

She turned professional in 1964. She participated in the LPG Tour from 1964-1997 with twenty-eight professional wins. Her wins were on the Ladies Professional Golfers Association (LPGA) Tour (19), with the LPGA of Japan (7), and with other tours (7). In 1972, she won the Titleholders Championship. She had one of her best years in 1975, when she won the U. S. Women’s Open. In that year, she was the Ladies Professional Golfers Association Tour Money winner, the LPGA Player of the Year, and the Golf Writers Association of America Female Player of the Year.

In September 1977, Ms. Palmer was honored as a Distinguished Alumni during the Alumni Association Awards Banquet. Also honored that year were architect O’Neil Ford and journalist Bill Moyers. During her speech, she paid tribute to the faculty members who helped her development as a professional golfer. “These people gave me the winning attitude. They don’t realize the influence they have had on my life.” [North Texas Daily, 1977-09-20]

Recognition of her success and impact on golf continued when she was named to the Texas Golf Hall of Fame in 1985. Ms. Palmer was inducted into the National Collegiate Hall of Fame in 1988.

Sandra Palmer is crowned Homecoming Queen in 1961.

Sandra Palmer was photographed with architect O’Neil Ford at the Alumni Awards Banquet in 1977.

Sandra Palmer is seen as a cheerleader (front row, far right) in the 1962 Yucca.

Sandra Palmer is shown with her fellow Green Jackets in the 1962 Yucca. Ms. Palmer is on the front row, third from the right.