Val Skinner

Val Skinner
On-Course Reporter, LPGA Tournaments

Born:   Oct 16, 1960
Hamilton, Montana
College:   Oklahoma State University

Background
Val Skinner, a 20-year LPGA Tour veteran, joins The Golf Channel as an on-course reporter for The Golf Channel’s coverage of LPGA Tour events.

A former NCAA and AIAW All-American, Skinner won six LPGA events over her 20-year LPGA career, crossing the $2 million mark in career earnings. A fierce and determined competitor both on the course and off, her philanthropic undertakings include raising awareness and funds for women in crisis groups and founding LIFE (LPGA Pros In the Fight to Eradicate Breast Cancer). The program is designed to raise money to not only eliminate breast cancer but to also educate young women about the disease, and has raised over $2.5 million for breast cancer research and education during the past five years.

Her tireless charitable work has not gone unnoticed, as Skinner was recognized as one of the country’s most caring athletes by USA Magazine, and was named one of the country’s champions in the fight against breast cancer by Yoplait and Self Magazine. In 2005, she was awarded the Charlie Bartlett Award by the Golf Writers Association of America given to a professional golfer for his/her unselfish contributions to the betterment of society. Other awards include the LPGA Humanitarian Award, the Award of Hope from the Cancer Institute of New Jersey, and The Good Samaritan Award. She is the only individual recipient of the LPGA’s Susan G. Komen Award.

After a successful junior career, Skinner attended Oklahoma State University on a golf scholarship, where she captured the Big Eight championship in 1980 and 1982. Her stellar play garnered several awards throughout her collegiate career, culminating in being named GOLF magazine’s Collegiate Player of the Year and Big Eight Female Athlete of the Year in 1982. After college she qualified for the LPGA Tour and made an instant impact, grabbing Rookie of the Year honors in 1982. She is a member of the Oklahoma State University Hall of Fame, the Nebraska Golf Hall of Fame and the Nebraska High School Hall of Fame.