Alexa Stirling

V I I | A L E X A S T I R L I NG

V I I . L E T T E R S O F E N D O R S E M E N T

L I N T O N C . H O P K I N S SEPTEMBER 19, 2021

I’m delighted to know the Athletic Club has proposed Alexa for membership in this most exclusive group. I recommend she be admitted for two reasons; the first is widely recognized, but the other is known by very few. She accomplished something in American championship golf that has not been equaled in over 100 years. Since she won the U.S. Women’s Amateur before World War I, in 1916, and two more times after the war, in 1919 and 1920, “she held her championship for a total of five years.” Four others have won three in succession but only Alexa was able to keep her game in championship form after being interrupted for two years, especially by such a devastating event. The New York Times called attention to her accomplishment in 1920, and Bobby Jones mentioned it again in his 1959 book, Golf is my Game. The quoted words above are his. Both are attached. Also attached is her citation in the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame. It contains other career specifics. The piece written by Bobby Jones contains what I consider the second most important reason for her induction into the Hall. It is the effect she had on him and his unmatched career. As great as Bobby Jones’s career in golf was, many who have studied him have emphasized that the effect he had on other people is a more important part of his legacy. So it is with Alexa Stirling Fraser. She played more rounds of golf with him than anyone else. She was over four years older and, along with his father and O.B. Keeler, both much older, inspired him to take control of his temper. Bobby’s tribute is brief, but his admiration was heartfelt and stated clearly while looking back at age fifty-seven. It was not necessary for the success of his book that he give her the credit, but Bobby Jones did the right thing. I’m an unabashed fan of Alexa’s, as you can see. Thank you for considering this other golfing hero of mine. She deserves to be up there with her lifelong friend.

Sincerely,

Linton C. Hopkins

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