Phyliss Larson

Four-time Nebraska women’s golf champion Phyllis Larson drove a Red Cross truck during World War I, made a hole-in-one after losing an eye to cancer and survived being struck by lightning while playing golf. She passed away at the age of 101.

Mrs. Larson won her four Nebraska championships in 1937, ’38, ’48, and ’54. Because of an illness in the family, she did not defend her championship in 1955, missing the state tournament for the first time since 1932.

A resident of Omaha for 60 years, Mrs. Larson moved to Florida in 1977. Called a “tough competitor” by many who played against her, Mrs. Larson certainly lived up to that reputation. After recovering from a broken hip at the age of 90, she returned to the links and was an active golfer until she lost her eyesight three years later.

A member of the Omaha Field Club in the early 1930’s, Mrs. Larson also belonged to the Happy Hollow Club before winning most of her golfing honors when she and her husband later belonged to the Omaha Country Club.

Married to W.O. Larson, Phyllis was a bookkeeper for the Harry Turkey Mortgage Company in the early 1900’s. Later, she and her husband operated their own real estate company.

In the early to mid 70s, before moving to Florida, Mrs. Larson was a great advocate for the junior girls in golf. She was credited with getting those in charge of the state championship to abolish the age minimum.

“I think its a young kids game,” she said in a 1975 interview. “If they can beat me, swell.”