The Grillroom: Jan Stephenson

Golf Digest, April, 2001 by Bob Verdi

You helped build the modern LPGA Tour.

I like to think so. Ray Volpe, our commissioner, called me in Hawaii 20 years ago. He had a potential sponsor lined up in Boston. Would I go there to play? I took a red-eye flight, did it for free, never thought twice. A lot of us did.

And now, the Women's Senior Golf Association.

I think it's got a chance. We started last year, and have five events scheduled this year. We're 43 years and over now, going to 45 in a couple years.

And you own it.

We started with 25 players, myself included, and we each put up $5,000 of our own money. We go through the LPGA for dates so we don't conflict, and off we are. And we care.

That's your slogan?

Absolutely. It's important we are nice as can be to pro-am partners, but we've all been there. Helping to build the LPGA Tour, plus our own careers, we had to be friendly. And we won't be like the men's senior tour. Grouchy old men.

You're already a senior winner, too.

In Iowa last August, two weeks after our first event in Green Bay. I was more nervous than in any tournament I've ever played, and I wasn't alone. Carol Mann, who's in the hall of fame, said she was shaking.

What can the senior women contribute that the LPGA can't?

Personality. I look at some young players now, they all act and swing the same, and half of them can't speak English. That's not their fault, but they come across as clones.

You were in a serious car wreck once, you've been injured while being mugged.

Don't remind me. I had to work really hard to get my game back both times. Now, at 49, I'm playing with my old friends and designing a course near my home in Florida, Walkabout in Titusville. That's my baby. That and my junior programs. Three schools a year, minimum. I love kids. I regret I didn't have any, but I couldn't. Three miscarriages.

Do golf courses treat women fairly?

Not really. Look at where women's tees are at so many courses. Trees in the way, no clear line to the fairway. Afterthoughts.

Can the LPGA compete with Tiger?

Let's face it. Golf is a power game. The LPGA needs to promote itself. Nancy Lopez never was too busy to do interviews. The women now can't think that playing 18 holes is enough. We also have better technique. We have to, because we're not as strong.

If you were less photogenic, might you have won more than 16 events and three majors?

I don't know. But I do know that's one good thing about getting older. The glamour thing, I don't have to deal with anymore. My golf is still pretty good, partly because I worked out to stay in shape when I was younger.

But you posed for posters and calendars as the sex symbol of women's golf.

I did, and it wasn't all fun. Jane Blalock used to fight me on that. She's now my best friend. Some of the women I played with thought I was making millions. They didn't like me or what I was doing. If only they knew.

Who do you admire on the LPGA Tour?

Besides people more in my bracket like Juli Inkster and Nancy, Karrie Webb. A great player, a great friend. She's guarded with the media. I tell her, "Don't fake it." When it's all over, you're judged on how many tournaments you win.

If you were LPGA commissioner, what would you do?

I would sell sex. I've seen it work. It's working for the men. Tiger Woods, Greg Norman, Fred Couples, they're all sexy. Why hide it? What's wrong with a few attractive LPGA golfers in a commercial saying, "Come see us play?"