Ada Mackenzie


Ada Charlotte Mackenzie was a Canadian golfer who founded the Ladies Golf Club of Toronto in 1924. In 1933, Mackenzie was the first recipient of the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award as the top Canadian female athlete of the year. She was inducted into numerous hall of fames including the Canada Sports Hall of Fame in 1955 and the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame in 1971.

Early life and education

Mackenzie was born on October 30, 1891 in Toronto, Ontario. She went to Havergal College from 1903-1911 and became interested in sports like her parents, who were golfers. At Havergal, Mackenzie played various sports including cricket and tennis and was the college's top athlete three years in a row.

Career

After completing her schooling at Havergal College in 1911, she remained at the college as an instructor until 1914. After leaving Havergal College, Mackenzie worked for the Canadian Bank of Commerce until 1930.

Golf career

In 1924, Mackenzie created the Ladies Golf Club of Toronto in response to the time restrictions she was given as a woman golfer. Later in 1930, she opened up a women's sportswear store after she felt that the women's golf apparel at that time was not appropriate.
On the golf course, Mackenzie competed in various golf tournaments throughout North America and Bermuda. Her first tournament win was at the Canadian Women's Amateur in 1919, which she won five times throughout her career. Outside of Canada, Mackenzie medalled at the U.S. Women's Amateur in 1927. Mackenzie's last golf tournament win was at the Ontario Senior Women's Amateur in 1969.

Awards and achievements

In 1933, Mackenzie was named the top female athlete of the year and was awarded the Bobbie Rosenfeld Award, making her the first Canadian woman to be awarded this trophy. Mackenzie was inducted in the Canada Sports Hall of Fame in 1955 and both the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and the Canadian Olympic Hall of Fame in 1971. After her death, Mackenzie was posthumously inducted into the Ontario Golf Hall of Fame in 2000 and the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame in 2003.
A park in Richmond Hill, Ontario is named after her.

Death

On January 25, 1973, Mackenzie died in Toronto, Ontario.

Amateur wins