University of Washington women’s golf founder Edean Ihlanfeldt passes away

Edean Ihlanfeldt, an acclaimed amateur golfer who played against legends Babe Didrickson Zaharias and Patty Berg before starting the women’s golf program at the University of Washington in 1974 has died at the age of 90.

“I cannot begin to describe how larger than life Edean was,” said UW women’s golf coach Mary Lou Mulflur, who played for Ihlanfeldt before beginning her 37-year tenure at UW, in a statement from the school. “I had the great privilege to play for her in the early years of Washington golf. She displayed a passion for golf, people and laughter that was beyond measure. Oh, how we all loved her laughter! She was a mentor to me up until shortly before she passed away. The lessons she taught me and countless other Husky golfers are immeasurable.”

Ihlanfeldt (her maiden name was Anderson), grew up in Helena, Montana, and won the first of six straight state amateur championships at age 14. She went on to win four Washington amateur titles and five Pacific Northwest Golf Association titles.

She also had success nationally, winning the 1952 Canadian Women’s Amateur, the women’s Trans-Mississippi Amateur Champion 1953 and was the low amateur in the LPGA’s Valhalla Open at Inglewood Golf Club in Kenmore in 1964, where she and husband Robert were members.

In 1982, she won the U.S. Women’s Senior amateur title.

Edean Ihlanfeldt was inducted into the Pacific Northwest Golf Association Hall of Fame in 1985. Edean Ihlanfeldt was inducted into the Pacific Northwest Golf Association Hall of Fame in 1985. Ihlanfeldt also helped a new generation of golfers. When she took the job at UW, she did not accept a salary, instead putting the money back into the program.