Dale Fleming McNamara
Inducted 2006
Dale Fleming McNamara is a pioneer in women’s collegiate golf and one of the most successful coaches in the history of the game.
Born and raised in Tulsa, Dale grew up competing in the Tulsa Junior Girls’ golf program that was created by Hall of Famer Mabel Hotz. She dominated junior golf and played collegiately at the University of Tulsa. There was no women’s golf team, so Dale entered tournaments on an individual basis. She became the first woman to win an athletic letter at TU.
Dale won the Women’s Oklahoma Golf Association State Amateur Championship a record seven times between 1956 and 1975. She was also successful in other amateur events in the region. However, she largely put her playing career aside after the University of Tulsa started a women’s golf program in 1974. Over the next 26 years, Dale built a program that became known worldwide. Her teams won 80 championships and four national championships. She coached 28 All-Americans and three individual national champions.
In 1982, the Tulsa women won the first ever NCAA championship and the last ever AIAW championship. In 1988, not only did Tulsa win the NCAA championship, but Dale’s daughter and team member, Melissa, won the individual championship.
Dale is vital and active in the Tulsa community, serving the Junior League and the Gilcrease Museum. She has played a key role on the Tulsa Park Board for more than a decade.
