Edwina Kennedy


Edwina Jane Kennedy is a former Australian amateur golfer. During her career, Kennedy was the first Australian to win the British Ladies Amateur upon her victory in 1978. In team events, she was a member of the Australian Espirito Santo Trophy team that won gold in 1978 and silver in 1980. After ending her golf career in 1993, she was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame that year. Additional awards that Kennedy received include the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1985 and the Australian Sports Medal in 2000.

Early life and education

In 1959, Kennedy was born in Sydney, Australia. During her childhood, Kennedy played at a golf club in Wentworth Falls, New South Wales. For her post-secondary education, Kennedy went to Macquarie University for a degree in economics.

Career

During the 1970s and 1980s, Kennedy won multiple amateur golf championships throughout Australia. Some of her Australian championship titles during this time period include back to back wins at the Australian Girls' Amateur from 1976 to 1979 and the Australian Women's Amateur in 1986. While competing in golf, Kennedy worked in industrial relations after completing her university degree. In specific parts of Australia, Kennedy first won the Women's New South Wales Amateur Championship in 1979 before adding back to back NSW wins from 1984 to 1986.
Outside of Australia, Kennedy became the first golfer from Australia to win the British Ladies Amateur in 1978. Years later, Kennedy won the 1980 Canadian Women's Amateur. In team events, Kennedy was a member of the Australian golf team that won gold at the 1978 Espirito Santo Trophy and silver at the following Espirito Santo event in 1980. In New Zealand, Kennedy won multiple events in 1985 including the amateur championship. Kennedy ended her golf career in 1993 while working in workers' compensation.

Awards and honors

Kennedy received the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1985 and the Australian Sports Medal in 2000 for her golf career. For hall of fames, Kennedy was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1993.