Pearl Sinn-Bonanni

First female golfer to win multiple USGA titles in the same calendar year

Born in South Korea, Pearl Sinn-Bonanni was introduced to golf by her father. Upon moving to the United States at the age of eight, her love of the game helped her assimilate to her new home, and she quickly became a dominant force in the Southern California amateur golf scene.

A three-time All-American at Arizona State University, her season in 1988 was one for the history books. She became the first female golfer to win multiple USGA titles in the same calendar year – the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links (which she would defend her title in 1989) and the U.S. Women’s Amateur just a few months later. She was also a member of the U.S. Curtis Cup team and won the Women’s World Amateur Team Championship.

Sinn-Bonanni earned Ladies European Tour Rookie of the Year honors in 1990 and enjoyed a 15-year professional career on the LPGA Tour, which culminated in winning the 1998 State Farm Rail Classic. She would later act as an on-course commentator for ESPN’s LPGA Tour coverage and served as a consultant for the LPGA.

After her retirement from professional golf in 2006, she became the California State University, Fullerton head women’s golf coach from 2009 to 2017.

As a true supporter of junior golf, Sinn-Bonanni served on the boards of Urban Youth Junior Golf and Los Angeles Junior Golf, and her Foundation raises funds for various children’s organizations in the region.