Services for Shirley Spork, one of the LPGA founding members who died earlier this month in her Palm Desert home, will be held over two days in May.
Spork, who died April 12 at 94, was one of the 13 original founders of the LPGA in 1950. While other founders went on to greater success as players, Spork turned her attention to teaching and became a driving force behind the founding of the LPGA Teaching and Club Pro division. She was a presence in the desert since 1953, when she took her first teaching job at Tamarisk Country Club in Rancho Mirage.
“Precious few are true pioneers in their passion, but Shirley Spork was twice trailblazer in the sport she loved – golf,” the LPGA said in a statement confirming Spork’s passing. “In 1950, she was one of 13 Founders of the LPGA. A decade later, Spork almost singlehandedly created the LPGA Teaching & Club Pro Division.”
It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that LPGA founder and Hall of Famer Shirley Spork has died at the age of 94.
Visitation for Spork will be May 15th from 5 to 8 p.m. with a rosary at 6 p.m. at Wiefels Chapel, 690 S. Vella Road, Palm Springs. A funeral mass will be held at 9 a.m. on May 16 at Sacred Heart Church, 43775 Deep Canyon Road, Palm Desert.
A commitment ceremony will follow at 11 a.m. at Desert Memorial Park, 31705 Da Vall Drive, Cathedral City.
Photos of Shirley Spork
2015 LPGA Rolex Players Awards
Shirley Spork, one of the 13 LPGA founders, poses with the Patty Berg Award at the…
Shirley Spork, one of the 13 LPGA founders, poses with the Patty Berg Award at the LPGA Rolex Players Awards at the Ritz-Carlton, Naples on November 19, 2015 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup – Final Round
PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 17: LPGA Founders Shirley Spork and Marilynn Smith attend the the RR…
PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 17: LPGA Founders Shirley Spork and Marilynn Smith attend the the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup at Wildfire Golf Club on March 17, 2013 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Bank Of Hope Founders Cup – Round Three
PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 17: (L-R) LPGA ‘Founders’ Shirley Spork, Marlene Hagge Vossler and Susie Maxwell…
PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 17: (L-R) LPGA ‘Founders’ Shirley Spork, Marlene Hagge Vossler and Susie Maxwell Berning sit off the 18th green during the third round of the Bank Of Hope Founders Cup at Wildfire Golf Club on March 17, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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LPGA founder Shirley Spork. Photo by Beth Ann Nichols
Solheim Cup
Professional golfer and co-founder of the LPGA Tour, Shirley Spork stands on the first tee box…
Professional golfer and co-founder of the LPGA Tour, Shirley Spork stands on the first tee box during competition rounds of the Solheim Cup golf tournament at Inverness Club. (Photo: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports)
Mike Whan with LPGA founder Shirley Spork (Getty Images/LPGA)
Shirley Spork on the first tee at the 2019 Solheim Cup (photo by Beth Ann Nichols).
Bank of Hope Founders Cup
LPGA Founders Marilynn Smith (left) and Shirley Spork greet golfers after they finish their final round…
LPGA Founders Marilynn Smith (left) and Shirley Spork greet golfers after they finish their final round at the 2019 Bank of Hope Founders Cup.
2019 LPGA #DriveOn Announcement
Stephanie Peareth, Nancy Lopez, Lizette Salas and Roberta Bowman and LPGA co-founders Marilynn Smith and Shirley…
Stephanie Peareth, Nancy Lopez, Lizette Salas and Roberta Bowman and LPGA co-founders Marilynn Smith and Shirley Spork pose as the LPGA launched its Drive On campaign at JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge on March 20, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images for LPGA)
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Shirley Spork, one of the original 13 founders of the LPGA, watches as her putt slides…
Shirley Spork, one of the original 13 founders of the LPGA, watches as her putt slides past the hole during a pro-am at the RR Donnelley Founders Cup in Phoenix, Ariz.
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Paula Creamer greets a couple of the original LPGA founders, Shirley Spork and Marilynn Smith, at…
Paula Creamer greets a couple of the original LPGA founders, Shirley Spork and Marilynn Smith, at No. 18 after Round 1.
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Shirley Spork, one of the original founders of the LPGA, and Commissioner Mike Whan during the…
Shirley Spork, one of the original founders of the LPGA, and Commissioner Mike Whan during the pro-am for the RR Donnelley LPGA Founders Cup.
Mike Whan, right, and Shirley Spork at the RR Donnelley Founders Cup in Phoenix.
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LPGA Founders Shirley Spork (left) and Louise Suggs during the 2012 RR Donnelley Founders Cup.
Shirley Spork (right) and Shanshan Feng
Jiyai Shin talks with founders Marilynn Smith and Shirley Spork at private dinner during the RR…
Jiyai Shin talks with founders Marilynn Smith and Shirley Spork at private dinner during the RR Donnelley Founders Cup.
LPGA: The Solheim Cup
Aug 20, 2017; West Des Moines, IA, USA; A photo of Shirley Spork, one of the…
Aug 20, 2017; West Des Moines, IA, USA; A photo of Shirley Spork, one of the original 13 founders of the LPGA, during her playing days is seen on the final day of the Solheim Cup at the Des Moines Golf and Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Kelsey Kremer/The Des Moines Register via USA TODAY NETWORK
