Jane Woodworth Read

Jane was born on September 29, 1943, in Lakewood, Ohio. She was the daughter of Warner Woodworth and Virginia Hopkins Woodworth. Jane moved to Hollywood, Florida in 1953, and then to Sarasota, Florida in 1998. Jane graduated from South Broward High School and attended Rollins College where she lettered in five varsity sports (golf, swimming, softball, basketball, and volleyball). In 1961, she won the Florida State Girls’ State Amateur and traveled to Seattle, Washington to represent the state of Florida in the National Junior Golf Championship. In 1964, Jane won the Women’s International Four-Ball tournament. She then became a member of the LPGA teaching division in 1965 and earned her way onto the LPGA Tour from 1967-1969. In 1968, she was narrowly edged out of the LPGA’s rookie-of-the-year honors finishing runner-up, and she was awarded Honorary Mayor status and received the Key-to-the-City of Hollywood. In 1969, Jane left the LPGA Tour and became the Chairman of the LPGA Teaching Division, which eventually became the role of National President of the LPGA Professionals. Jane was a “teachers’ teacher” and developed an “area representative” model, which became the predecessor of the geographic section system still in use today. In 1980, Jane was elected to LPGA Master Professional status, and she was awarded National Teacher of the Year honors in 1981. Jane was inducted into the LPGA Professionals Hall of Fame in 2010. Currently, she is the last professional inducted in the LPGA Professionals Hall of Fame who also competed on the LPGA Tour. Additionally, she was honored to serve on the LPGA Hall of Fame committee and participate in the selection of new members. Some other notable career accomplishments include being the Director of Golf, as well as the Director of Instruction and the Tournament Director at Orangebrook Golf Club in Hollywood, Florida (the same site as her Four-Ball victory back in 1964). There, she also developed a pilot program that grew into the USGA’s First Tee program for junior golfers and pioneered the annual summer junior golf program in Hollywood. After moving to Sarasota, she continued to grow the game as a teaching professional at the River Club until retiring in 2022 when she joined Legacy Golf Club and looked forward to playing more herself, with her family. Jane was a lifelong Episcopalian. She was a member of St. James Episcopal church in Hollywood, Florida, and was a proud member at the Church of the Nativity since 1998 when she moved to Sarasota. The church was always incredibly important to her, and she gave back her time and talents to the church having served previously as a senior warden and chair of multiple pastoral search committees over the years. She remained incredibly involved in her church and faith community, first in Hollywood and later in Sarasota at the Church of the Nativity, where she delighted in raising her voice and lifting up the Holy Spirit. As impressive as her many accomplishments were, Jane was most proud and passionate about her family and network of friends. She would talk at length about them to anyone who would listen. Her love for others was undeniable and beyond measure, and every life she touched was better for it. Jane became an instant friend to everyone she met, and above all, her family meant everything to her. Her heart was always full, despite the love she spread so far and wide, and her door was always open. Jane is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Todd W. Read, her loving son, Daniel Richard Read and his wife Lori, their two loving sons, Daniel and Michael, and her loving daughter, Julie Ann Read, and her two loving sons, Matthew and Mark. The memorial service will be held at The Church of the Nativity (5900 Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL 34243) on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at 11:00 a.m., with a light reception to follow. In lieu of flowers, please make contributions or donations to The Church of the Nativity.

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Jane Woodworth Read

September 29, 1943 - January 13, 2024