#39 Angela Stanford
Home Course: Pecan Valley Golf Club (public access roots: Riverside Golf Course – Fort Worth, TX)
From Texas Muni to Major Champion
Angela Stanford is one of the most respected veterans on the LPGA Tour, known for her steady game, resilience, and deep pride in her public-course upbringing. Her roots are pure muni, she learned the game at Riverside Golf Course in Fort Worth, Texas, a city-run facility where she shared fairways with every kind of golfer imaginable.
From those humble beginnings, she went on to win the 2018 Evian Championship, represent the United States in multiple Solheim Cups, and become a role model for young players, especially those who think they need country-club credentials to compete at the highest level.
Early Days at Riverside Golf Course
Born in 1977 in Fort Worth, Stanford was introduced to golf by her father, who brought her to Riverside, a no-frills, affordable muni with a reputation for producing tough, competitive players. Riverside didn’t have country-club luxury, but it had something more valuable: accessibility.
The mix of regulars, retirees, juniors, and blue-collar weekend warriors, gave Stanford a unique golf education. She learned to keep up in quick-paced money games, manage her emotions when paired with total strangers, and handle every type of lie and condition a golf course could offer.
High School Stardom and College Career
Stanford starred at Boswell High School before earning a scholarship to Texas Christian University, where she became a three-time All-American. Even as she played elite college golf, she returned to Riverside during breaks, staying grounded in the muni culture that had shaped her competitive fire.
LPGA Tour Career Highlights
- LPGA Wins: 7, including the 2018 Evian Championship (Major)
- Solheim Cup Appearances: 6 as a player, 1 as assistant captain
- Career Earnings: Over $11 million
- Best Major Performances: Winner – 2018 Evian Championship; runner-up – 2003 U.S. Women’s Open
Her 2018 Evian Championship win was a storybook moment. At 40 years old, after years of near-misses, she finally claimed a major title — a victory that resonated with golfers everywhere who’ve had to wait their turn.
The Muni Mentality
Stanford’s upbringing at Riverside shaped her in key ways:
- Resilience – She never folded under pressure, knowing she’d faced tougher emotional tests in casual muni games.
- Adaptability – Riverside’s variable course conditions forced her to develop a versatile short game.
- Grounded Perspective – Even at the height of her career, she spoke about the value of public golf in giving kids a chance to play.
Giving Back to Texas Golf
Stanford founded the Angela Stanford Foundation in 2009 to provide scholarships for children from Fort Worth and surrounding areas. Many of her foundation events are held at public-access facilities, reinforcing her belief that golf should be for everyone, not just the privileged few.
Why She’s #39 on the Countdown
Angela Stanford embodies the heart of the Muni Kids Muni 50, a player who started on a public course, worked her way up without shortcuts, and reached the pinnacle of her sport while giving back to the next generation. Her Evian victory was more than a personal triumph; it was a win for every kid grinding away on their local muni, dreaming big.
Key Stats
- Born: November 28, 1977 – Fort Worth, TX
- Public Course Roots: Riverside Golf Course, Fort Worth, TX
- Professional Wins: 7 LPGA Tour (1 Major)
- Major Highlights: Winner – 2018 Evian Championship; runner-up – 2003 U.S. Women’s Open
- Teams: 6x Solheim Cup
Quote
“I’m living proof you can start on a public course and make it all the way. You just have to believe and keep working.” – Angela Stanford
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