Deborah Vidal

Deborah Vidal (known as Deborah McHaffie for part of her LPGA Tour career) had one of the most unique and inspiring careers in professional golf history. Remarkably, Vidal didn’t take up the game until the age of 23, but in just a few short years she became an LPGA Tour star. She played on the LPGA Tour for 11 years, reaching career-high world ranking of No. 43 before injuries unfortunately brought her professional career to an early end. Internationally, Vidal made a significant impact in Japan, receiving exclusive invitations to play in eight tournaments per year on the JLPGA Tour and finished runner up in the prestigious JLPGA Championship in her debut.

Upon taking up the game and as a member of the iconic Las Vegas Country Club, Vidal won several club championships and her amateur career soared with victories at the 1982 and 1983 Women’s Nevada State Amateur. She also won the prestigious Mexican Amateur Championship in 1983, and in 1984, she finished runner-up in three of the most notable amateur events: the Western Amateur, Broadmoor Invitational, and Trans-National Championship.