2008 The Jeannie Goddard Memorial Award Winner – Bette Coles

The Jeannie Goddard Memorial Award was established in 2003 and is presented to a woman that has love and respect for the game, the compassion to listen to the needs of others, by the quality of her actions and the integrity of her goals. She believes in teamwork – the ability to work together towards a common vision, but most of all an inspiration to others. All the recipients have portrayed the true characteristics for this award, but no more so than this year’s nominee Bette Coles.

When you hear the words: Friend, Leader, Sportsmanship, Integrity and Strength, they exemplify the characteristics of the woman who received this year’s Jeannie Goddard Memorial Award: Bette Coles.

Bette is a lady who over the last 60 years has dedicated herself to the game of golf and those who play it. She is a true “leader” a true leader that had the confidence and the courage to make a difference. Bette was selected because of her outstanding contribution to women’s golf in Utah and to the USWGA. Bette helped women’s golf expand throughout the state: helping the ladies club associations get established at Copperclub, Nibley Park and Glendale. She was also the president of those associations as well as holding many other positions. Bette was one of the original founding members of Utah Junior Golf Association. She has been, and continues to be an inspiration to women golfers throughout the state of Utah. Bette is currently a 28 handicap at the age of 85 and still volunteers her time.

What a joy she is to know, be associated with and golf with. Bette’s positive attitude is reflected by her statement when she and her partner were in last place in a tournament, and her partner was feeling rather low and Bette said “hey, just turn the scoreboard upside down and there we are IN FIRST PLACE!!!”