Beverly Hanson (December 5, 1924 – April 12, 2014) was an American professional golfer who played on the LPGA Tour. Hanson was born in Fargo, North Dakota in 1924. She studied at the University of North Dakota, Mills College in Oakland, California and the University of Wisconsin and was a bassoon player, performing with civic orchestras. As an amateur golfer, she won the Texas Open in 1949 and both the California and Southern California ladies' championships. She was a member of the 1950 U.S. Curtis Cup golf team and that year won the U.S. Women's Amateur. In 1951, Hanson turned professional and won the very first event she competed in. She won the inaugural LPGA Championship in 1955, defeating Louise Suggs. In 1958 she was the leading money winner on the LPGA Tour. Hanson had 17 career wins on the LPGA Tour of which three were majors. Besides the inaugural LPGA major title, in 1956 she won the Women's Western Open and in 1958 the Titleholders Championship. Hanson died on April 12, 2014 in Twin Falls, Idaho, from complications from Alzheimer's and COPD. Professional wins (18) LPGA Tour wins (17) 1950 (1) Women's Texas Open (as an amateur) 1951 (1) Eastern Open 1953 (1) Boca Raton Weathervane 1954 (2) St. Petersburg Open, Wichita Open 1955 (2) LPGA Championship, Battle Creek Open 1956 (1) Women's Western Open 1957 (2) Smokey Open, Land of Sky Open 1958 (2) Titleholders Championship, Lawton Open 1959 (4) Golden Triangle Festival, American Women's Open, Spokane Open, Links Invitation Open 1960 (1) St. Petersburg Open Other wins (1) 1949 Women's Texas Open (as an amateur) 1955 Hot Springs 4-Ball Invitational (with Kathy Cornelius) Source Major championships Wins (3) Team appearances Amateur Curtis Cup (representing the United States): 1950 (winners) See also List of golfers with most LPGA Tour wins List of golfers with most LPGA major championship wins References External links American female golfers LPGA Tour golfers Winners of ladies' major amateur golf championships Winners of LPGA major golf championships Golfers from North Dakota Golfers from California Golfers from Idaho University of North Dakota alumni Sportspeople from Fargo, North Dakota Sportspeople from Riverside County, California People from Sun Valley, Idaho 1924 births 2014 deaths 21st-century American women