Episode 6

full
Published on:

14th Sep 2023

JoAnne Carner: Golf's Living Legend Shares Her Best Stories

Anyone who follows golf knows JoAnne "Big Mama" Carner. One of the game's greatest champions recently made history by breaking her age of 84 by shooting an 80 in the opening round of the U.S. Senior Women's Open – good enough for a mention on ESPN.

Click here to watch the clip on ESPN

During her remarkable career, Carner captured 43 LPGA Tour titles, two U.S. Women's Opens, five scoring titles, and was named Player of the Year three times.

On this podcast, we discuss:

00:20 - Her desire to still compete

01:55 - How her swing has changed over the years

03:05 - Getting lessons and accolades from Sam Snead

05:40 - The professional game during her prime vs. now

07:05 - The increased prize money tradeoff and losing the fun of competing

08:10 - Turning pro later than most

09:55 - Her most proud moments

11:10 - Boycotting the U.S. Women's Open

12:15 - Being called "Big Mama" and how it came about

14:15 - Living through the Billy Jean King era of equality

15:40 - Playing aggressively

18:25 - Benefits of sometimes being a dumb golfer

20:15 - The key to longevity in golf and life (hint: vodka)

22:10 - Having her husband's support on the road

25:05 - Being recognized or dismissed as just an old lady on the course

26:00 - Closing thank yous to this incredible woman

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About the Podcast

The Troublemakers Podcast
with Lisa Cornwell & Karen Crouse
Award-winning sports journalists Lisa Cornwell and Karen Crouse are stirring up the conversation...and controversy...one story at a time.

About your host

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Lisa Cornwell

Lisa Cornwell spent seven years as an on-air host and reporter for Golf Channel, establishing herself as a respected voice in the game. Prior to Golf Channel, she worked in similar roles for the Big Ten Network as well as local affiliates in Mississippi, Tennessee, and Ohio. Lisa is a four-time Arkansas Women’s State Golf champion, a two-time AJGA first-team All-American, a two-time All-State basketball player, and in 1992 was named the Arkansas Female Athlete of the Year. She was recently inducted into the Arkansas Golf and Arkansas Sports Halls of Fame.