Susie Maxwell Berning, who captured four major championships on the LPGA Tour, rounds out the Class of 2021 that will be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Fla., it was announced on Wednesday.
Maxwell Berning will join Tiger Woods, former PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem and women’s golf pioneer Marion Hollins in next year’s induction class.
“Quite an honor,” said the 78-year-old Maxwell Berning, who claimed 13 professional victories in her career. “Just to be in the same room as Mickey Wright, Kathy Whitworth, Judy Rankin and Patty Berg.
“I tell you, I remember when I first was on the Tour, just how nice Patty Berg was to me and I was scared to death, as it was the first time I ever played with Mickey. To be honored alongside them is something I thought would never happen. I never even thought about it. I’m now part of their family, which makes me very proud.”
Maxwell Berning, who was born in Pasadena, moved to Oklahoma City at the age of 13, played on the men’s team at Oklahoma State and now lives in Palm Springs, was selected through the female competitor category.
Maxwell Berning turned pro in 1964 and was selected LPGA Rookie of the Year that season. Her first victory came in the 1965 Muskogee Civitan Open, and she captured the U.S. Women’s Open in 1968, 1972 and 1973, plus the 1965 Western Open, which was then a major.
“I’m excited for Susie,” said Beth Daniel, a World Golf Hall of Fame Class of 2000 inductee. “The thing that makes her stand out is her four majors, which she won while juggling a family.
“There are very few women in the history of golf that have been able to do that, and it lets female golfers know they can have a family and a career. Nancy Lopez did it. Juli Inkster did it. But before them, Susie Berning did it.”
Daniel, Nick Price, Annika Sorenstam and Curtis Strange are co-chairs of the 20-person Selection Committee, which also includes media representatives and leaders of the major golf organizations.
