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Golf lost one of the greats in
November, when Peggy Kirk
Bell died.
Most of today’s golfers are not
familiar with the name Peggy
Kirk Bell, but to the women’s
game and to the game of golf
in general, she ranks with the
likes of Arnold Palmer, Bobby
Jones and Sam Snead.
JamesWalkerTuftsisrecognized
as the founder of Pinehurst
and the man responsible for
bringing Donald Ross to the
area, but just down the road
in Southern Pines, Peggy Kirk
Bell and her husband Warren,
a former NBA star, built and
made Pine Needles into one
of the most popular stops in
the greater Pinehurst area. In
1953, they added Mid-Pines
to their domain and both
properties are still owned and
run by members of the Bell
family today.
Like Arnold Palmer at Bay
Hill, golf fans would travel to
the Pinehurst resorts, just to
meet Miss Peggy.
In 1921, she was born
Margaret Anne Kirk in Findlay,
Ohio. Even though young
women were not encouraged
to pursue athletics, she was
an excellent athlete. She did
not take up golf until she was
17-years-old, but compiled
one of the best amateur
records of all time.
SheattendedRollinsUniversity
in Winter Park, Florida and
her golf game continued to
improve. She won the Ohio
State Championship three
consecutive years in 1947,
1948, and 1949. Later in
1949, shewon theTitleholders
Championship, which was
a major championship for
women. She also won the
prestigious North and South
Amateur Championship and
was a member of the 1950
Curtis Cup team. Other
Golf Loses Another Legend
By
Fred Altvater
NWO Golf Links