Porter-King, Mary Bea

Golf Professional

Mary Bea Porter-King is an American professional golfer who played on the LPGA Tour.
Porter was born in Everett, Washington. She attended Arizona State University, where she played four sports; golf, basketball, volleyball, and softball. She was inducted into the Arizona State Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.
Porter turned professional in 1973 and joined the LPGA Tour after winning the qualifying school tournament in June 1973. She won once on the LPGA Tour in 1975.
During a qualifying round for the 1988 Samaritan Turquoise Classic, Porter saved the life of a drowning boy at a home adjacent to the fairway.
Porter-King moved to Hawaii in 1989 after her marriage and helped found the Hawaii State Junior Golf Association. She was inducted into the Hawaii Golf Hall of Fame in 2004.
Porter-King was awarded the 2011 PGA First Lady of Golf Award by the PGA of America.

Sept. 9, 2024

Mary Bea Porter-King - Part 3 (Serving the Game)

Mary Bea Porter-King looks back on a professional career and what could have been, before looking forward to life after the Tour serving the Game. She talks about her time as a golf broadcaster working with the likes of Fran Tarkenton and Jimmy Demaret. Mary Bea co-founded the Hawaii State Junior Golf Association in 1998 which has produced several USGA champions over the years including Michelle Wie and Allisen Corpuz. Her service to the USGA included six years on their Executive Committee and s...

Guest: Porter-King, Mary Bea

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Sept. 9, 2024

Mary Bea Porter-King - Part 2 (Playing the Tour and Saving a Life)

Mary Bea Porter-King begins this episode recounting her early years on the LPGA Tour and the challenges faced by women athletes of that era. She shares her bittersweet memories of her sole Tour win in 1975 when, instead of receiving encouragement and accolades from her coach, she heard feedback that created self-doubt and got her away from doing the things that made her successful. Mary Bea looks back on those still formative years when the LPGA Tour finally evolved into a professionally run and...

Guest: Porter-King, Mary Bea

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Sept. 9, 2024

Mary Bea Porter-King - Part 1 (The Early Years)

With an astounding record of lifetime contributions to the game of golf off the course, Mary Bea Porter-King begins her life story by recounting her early life on the course. Taught at a young age by Betty Hicks, who introduced Mary Bea to many of the game's greats, her game developed quite quickly. She golfed with Eddie Merrin's UCLA golf team while still in her teens, and had access to famous courses and people in and around Los Angles. As an all-around athlete, Mary Bea set off for Arizona St...

Guest: Porter-King, Mary Bea

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