Canadian-born golfer mourned
Trailblazer in her sport had three wins on LPGA Tour
Dawn Coe-Jones, a member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame who helped blaze a trail for Canadian women on the pro tour, has died of cancer. She was 56.
Golf Canada said Saturday that Coe-Jones died in hospice near her home in Tampa, Fla.
She had been diagnosed with bone cancer earlier this year.
The native of Lake Cowichan, B.C., played on the LPGA Tour from 1984 to 2008. She won more than US$3.3 million on the circuit with three victories and 44 career top-10 finishes.
“Dawn touched so many people,” said Gail Graham, who played alongside Coe-Jones at Lamar University and on the LPGA Tour.
“She was always the one who worried about others.”
“Dawn was a great competitor and role model for over 25 years on the LPGA Tour,” said Canadian Golf Hall of Famer Sandra Post.
“Her happy and positive attitude towards life will be missed by all that knew her.”
The golf world took to social media Saturday to mourn Coe-Jones.
Mike Weir of Brights Grove, Ont., called Coe-Jones a “great player & competitor & wonderful lady!” in a tweet.
Brantford, Ont., native David Hearn tweeted: “Very saddened to hear of the passing of Dawn CoeJones. She was a great player and role model for so many Canadians. You will be missed Dawn.”
Former LPGA Tour pro AJ Eathorne of Penticton, B.C., posted a photo collage of her and CoeJones on her Instagram account.
“A very sad day today as we say goodbye to our dear friend Dawn Coe-Jones,” the caption read. “One of the most caring and wonderful women I have ever met. I am so lucky to have got to spend so many great times with her and her family. Love you always Miss Dawn.”
“Just hearing of the incredibly sad news of the passing of @LPGA member & Canadian legend Dawn Coe-Jones. Always a class act. RIP, my friend,” said American golfer and broadcaster Dottie Pepper.
Coe-Jones was diagnosed in mid-March with dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma that required full knee and partial tibia replacement surgery.
“The LPGA Legends are heartbroken about the loss of our great friend, Dawn, who fought a valiant fight over the past few months against a rare form of sarcoma,” said Jane Blalock, CEO of The Legends Tour. “Dawn was truly a player and a person admired, respected and loved by all of us who had the fortune to know and play alongside her. This is indeed, a very sad day.”
During the Dawn Coe-Jones Golf Classic in Tampa on Oct. 14, a golf fundraiser for sarcoma research, Coe-Jones was honoured as the recipient of the 2016 Colleen Walker Spirit Award. The award is presented each year to recognize a Legends Tour Player who best exemplifies Walker’s spirit, courage and love of the game. A nine-time LPGA Tour winner, Walker died of cancer in December 2012.