Pauline Frey Whitacre began playing golf at the age of 10. Her three brothers, Bob, Bill and twin Paul, as well as her parents, Victor and Claire, all were avid golfers. Her father required her to practice for one entire season before she was even allowed on the course; therefore, even in the beginning, she played well. She learned to chip with an 8 iron since she did not have a pitching or sand wedge, a practice that she continues to this day.
Pauline attended Lehman High School in Canton Ohio from 1941-1945 where she played basketball and volleyball all four years. She then went to The Ohio State University from 1947- 1950. Pauline was a member of The Ohio State University Women’s golf team that won the Women’s National Intercollegiate Championship in 1947, 1949 and 1950. In 1949 she was also an individual semifinalist at the Woman’s Intercollegiate Championship. She played in several early LPGA tournaments before eventually regaining her amateur status.
Pauline graduated from OSU with a degree in education and proceeded to teach at Purdue University, Lorain Middle School, Timken High School and Canton Country Day School. She married John Whitacre, Jr. in 1954. They had three children: Lynn born in 1955, Janet born in 1957 and John III born in 1961. Throughout these years, Pauline remained very active in amateur women’s golf in Canton and throughout the state of Ohio while also qualifying and participating in several national USGA tournaments.
Pauline has won the WOSGA State Amateur three times. The first time was in 1962; the second was in 1966 and the third time was in 1982 at the age of 55 when she beat 23-year-old, Sharon Kline in the finals. Her victory was noted in the October 11, 1982, issue of Sports Illustrated as the oldest winner of the event, a record that still stands today. She played in the WOSGA State Amateur for 50 years and was awarded a trophy for her longevity in 2008, her 50th year as a competitor.
In 2005 the Association named their senior trophy in her honor. She has won several tournaments and club championships locally at Brookside Country Club and Congress Lake Club. She has also been a competitor in the Women’s Akron District Golf Association for many years where she has won the championship six times. Her first win was in 1964, and her last win occurred in 1999 at the age of 70.
Pauline has shot her age so many times that she stopped keeping track sometime after the 60th occurrence. The first was quite memorable as she shot 70 at age 70 at Canton Brookside County Club with her niece, Janet Frey-Shaheen as a witness.
In 2007 she was presented with a Varsity “O” from Ohio State University for her contribution to Women’s golf at OSU. In 2009 she was elected as a distinguished alumnus in the athletics area of Lehman High School and in 2010, she became a member of the inaugural class of the Stark County Amateur Golf Hall of Fame along with her lifelong best friend, Betty Kirby Peppard.
Pauline has always been a keen competitor on the golf course, at any level she has chosen to play. Anyone who has played with her can testify that it is an exhilarating experience to see her love of the game and her great competitive spirit. She encourages and inspires players to improve their games. Pauline is fun to play with too. Even today, at the age of 90, she brings her competitive spirit to all the golf she plays, so beware when she asks you to play for dimes. She is a great model for all women golfers, of any age!