As the Louisiana Golf Association continues its mission to preserve and celebrate the rich history of amateur golf in our state, we recognize the individuals whose contributions helped shape the game in Louisiana. One of those figures is Mrs. A.T. “Jackie” Higgins, without question one of the greatest female golfers Metairie has ever produced.
Jackie first gave evidence of her skill when she won the 1939 Audubon championship at just 12 years old. By age 22, Higgins was Louisiana State champion and would go on to dominate New Orleans women’s golf with city titles in 1948, 1950, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1963, and 1964.
Higgins helped establish the Ladies Country Club Golf Association and won its inaugural championship by an impressive 12 strokes. In 1960, Jackie defeated three Curtis Cup players on her way to reaching the final of the Southern Amateur. She was the first New Orleans finalist in 20 years.
In 1961, Jackie Higgins became the first woman to be named Athlete of the Year for the Greater New Orleans area by a panel of newspaper, television, and radio sports journalists. That same year, she was inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame.
Jackie died in 1972 at the young age of 45. One year later, in 1973, Metairie Country Club hosted an annual golf tournament to benefit the local leukemia society. The event was founded to honor the life and legacy of the late Mrs. A.T. (Jackie) Higgins.
The Louisiana Golf Association is proud to help share and preserve stories like Jackie Higgins’—stories that reflect the excellence, tradition, and impact of Louisiana’s amateur golfers across generations.
Written by Michael Wolf. Historical content and images provided by Metairie Country Club.
About the Louisiana Golf Association
The Louisiana Golf Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, preserving, and growing the game of golf across Louisiana. Founded in 1920, the LGA conducts state championships, provides USGA Handicap Index® services, and supports players of all ages through initiatives like the Louisiana Junior Golf Tour.
Media Contact:
Maili Bartz
Director of Marketing & Communications
maili@lgagolf.org