Hollins, Marion B. (1892–1944)
Hollins, Marion B. (1892–1944)
American golfer . Born in East Islip, New York, in 1892; died in Pacific Grove, California, on August 27, 1944.
Won the Women's Metropolitan (1913, 1919, 1921); won the USGA Women's Amateur (1921).
Dubbed "the golden girl," Marion Hollins grew up around golfers in East Islip, New York, and by the time she was an adult had a sound grasp of the game. After winning the Women's Metropolitan in 1913, she qualified for the finals in the USGA Women's Amateur, but lost to Gladys Ravenscroft of England. In 1921, she won the event in a surprise upset over Alexa Stirling , who had won three years in a row. Hollins was known for her fluid swing and her habit of humming "The Merry Widow Waltz" to keep her rhythm in check. An early feminist, she believed that women should have their own golf courses and was instrumental in building the Women's National Course at Glen Head, Long Island. She also helped plan and promote courses at Cypress Point and Santa Cruz, California. Hollins, who dabbled in horses and promotion schemes, made over $1 million in an oil deal, but lost it all in a depressed real-estate market. She died impoverished in 1944.