Lily Harper Martin
About Lily Harper Martin
The “Tiny Typhoon of Portsmouth” holds a record that has stood for 80 years, winning the VSGA Women’s Amateur Championship seven times, all in an eight-year period from 1934-41.
Crowning Moment…
In the final VSGA Women’s Amateur Championship before World War II, Harper Martin defeated Mrs. George Owens of Petersburg 2 and 1 to win the 1941 event at Hermitage CC. She was also the stroke-play medalist. It was the last of her seven Women’s Amateur titles.
4
Consecutive victories in the VSGA Women’s Amateur (1934-37)
2
Two of Lily’s seven Women’s Amateur titles came at Hermitage CC, and two came against Mrs. H.N. Allen
1
Pair of siblings to be inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame (Lily and brother Chandler Harper)
8&6
The largest margin of victory among Lily’s seven VSGA Women’s Amateur wins
Achievements & Media
Special thanks to the USGA, PGA Tour, VSGA, MAPGA, WVGA and inductee family members for contributing photos and videos to this project.
Statistics
Date of birth: August 18, 1916
Year of death: 1989
Accomplishments and Awards
- Lily and older brother Chandler Harper are the second set of siblings to be inducted into the Virginia Golf Hall of Fame, joining brothers Lanny and Bobby Wadkins
- Won seven VSGA Women’s Amateur titles, including four straight from 1934-37 and three more from 1939-1941
- Winner of the 1936 Mid-Atlantic Women’s Amateur Championship in her only appearance in the tournament. She won her quarterfinal match on the 23rd hole and birdied the 19th hole to win in the semifinals
- Inducted into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 1995
