Lally

On 18 May 1950 Vicomtesse de Saint Saveur (aka Lady Segard or “Lally” as she was affectionately known in France) won the Ladies’ British Open Amateur Championship at Royal County Down Golf Club. Lally had by the end of her golfing life amassed numerous titles from many countries including the Italian (2), Spanish, Swiss (2), Luxembourg and Benelux (3) titles. At the time of this match she was the 1948 French Open champion and reigning Close champion.

Lally was quintessentially French and possessed what L’equipe described as “la beautė intemporelle” (timeless beauty) and went on to say, “Sa personalité, son palmarès, son comportement
et son dévourment au golf amateur féminin ont fait d’elle un personnage reconnu dans le monde entier pour ce qu’elle est: la plus grande dame du golf français”, which liberally translated means , “her personality, performances, demeanour and her devotion to ladies amateur golf gave her the recognition as the greatest of all French lady golfers”.

Lally became president of the International Golf Federation, captained the French team at the Women’s World Team Championship and, in February 2015, Lally became one of the first female honorary members of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, St Andrews.