UCLA national champion women's golfer Elizabeth (Bowman) Benson passed away Sunday, June 2 at the age of 53.
Benson was a four-year letterwinner at UCLA from 1989-93 and was a sophomore on the Bruins' first-ever NCAA Championship team in 1991. The former Bowman earned All-Pac-10 Second Team accolades that season.
Benson finished her UCLA playing career with 13 top-10 finishes over 129 rounds played, and in her senior season in 1992-1993, was awarded WGCA Honorable Mention All-American acclaim. Benson placed third at the Pac-10 Championships in 1993 to help the Bruins to a runner-up finish.
After UCLA, Benson spent several years on the Futures Tour before breaking through and earning her card on the LPGA Tour. She competed in 10 LPGA events before retiring from professional golf and taking on her next endeavor as the Membership Director at San Diego Country Club.
Benson attended Bonita High School in her hometown of Bonita, California.
Benson is survived by her husband, Brad, her son, Brock, her sister, Deena, and her brother Mark. Benson is led in passing by her mother, Judy, her father, Dave, and uncles Pete and Dean.
Benson was a four-year letterwinner at UCLA from 1989-93 and was a sophomore on the Bruins' first-ever NCAA Championship team in 1991. The former Bowman earned All-Pac-10 Second Team accolades that season.
Benson finished her UCLA playing career with 13 top-10 finishes over 129 rounds played, and in her senior season in 1992-1993, was awarded WGCA Honorable Mention All-American acclaim. Benson placed third at the Pac-10 Championships in 1993 to help the Bruins to a runner-up finish.
After UCLA, Benson spent several years on the Futures Tour before breaking through and earning her card on the LPGA Tour. She competed in 10 LPGA events before retiring from professional golf and taking on her next endeavor as the Membership Director at San Diego Country Club.
Benson attended Bonita High School in her hometown of Bonita, California.
Benson is survived by her husband, Brad, her son, Brock, her sister, Deena, and her brother Mark. Benson is led in passing by her mother, Judy, her father, Dave, and uncles Pete and Dean.