Today in Wheeling History: April 13—Stephanie Sparks, accomplished golfer and television personality from Wheeling, passed away in Orlando, Florida, leaving behind a legacy of sportsmanship and advocacy for hospice care and cancer foundations (2024).
Stephanie Sparks, born on July 18, 1973, in Wheeling, West Virginia, grew up in a family passionate about sports and community. She attended Wheeling Park High School, where her talent for golf began to shine. Sparks went on to play collegiate golf at Duke University, earning All-America honors during her time there. Her amateur career was marked by significant victories, including the 1992 North and South Women's Amateur at Pinehurst, the 1993 Women's Western Amateur, Women's Eastern Amateur, and the West Virginia State Amateur. She also represented the United States in the 1994 Curtis Cup.
After graduating from Duke in 1996, Sparks turned professional, joining the Futures Tour and later earning her LPGA card in 1999. Unfortunately, her professional career was cut short due to back injuries. Transitioning to television, Sparks became a beloved on-air personality at The Golf Channel, hosting shows like “Golf with Style!” and several seasons of “The Big Break.” She also appeared in the 2004 film “Bobby Jones: A Stroke of Genius.”
Stephanie Sparks passed away on April 13, 2024, in Orlando, Florida, leaving behind a legacy of sportsmanship and advocacy for hospice care and cancer foundations.
To learn more: Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/yrr5nruk), Legacy (https://tinyurl.com/7xz4yutk), Wheeling Intelligencer/News-Register (https://tinyurl.com/3b86pu8z)
Photo caption and credit: Stephanie Sparks (Legacy)
Stephanie Sparks, born on July 18, 1973, in Wheeling, West Virginia, grew up in a family passionate about sports and community. She attended Wheeling Park High School, where her talent for golf began to shine. Sparks went on to play collegiate golf at Duke University, earning All-America honors during her time there. Her amateur career was marked by significant victories, including the 1992 North and South Women's Amateur at Pinehurst, the 1993 Women's Western Amateur, Women's Eastern Amateur, and the West Virginia State Amateur. She also represented the United States in the 1994 Curtis Cup.
After graduating from Duke in 1996, Sparks turned professional, joining the Futures Tour and later earning her LPGA card in 1999. Unfortunately, her professional career was cut short due to back injuries. Transitioning to television, Sparks became a beloved on-air personality at The Golf Channel, hosting shows like “Golf with Style!” and several seasons of “The Big Break.” She also appeared in the 2004 film “Bobby Jones: A Stroke of Genius.”
Stephanie Sparks passed away on April 13, 2024, in Orlando, Florida, leaving behind a legacy of sportsmanship and advocacy for hospice care and cancer foundations.
To learn more: Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/yrr5nruk), Legacy (https://tinyurl.com/7xz4yutk), Wheeling Intelligencer/News-Register (https://tinyurl.com/3b86pu8z)
Photo caption and credit: Stephanie Sparks (Legacy)
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