SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (July 2, 2004) - The end of the 2004 LPGA Tour season will also mark the end of an era. Seventeen-time LPGA champion Dottie Pepper, citing continuing physical ailments stemming from a variety of injures suffered during the past three seasons, announced today that 2004 will be the final season of her storied career.
Pepper made the announcement at the Orchards Golf Club in South Hadley, Mass., site of this week's U.S. Women's Open. She was forced to withdraw from the event, an event she was to play in after receiving a special exemption from the USGA, due to a compressed nerve in her neck.

After much thought, prayer and conversation with my family and closest friends, I have decided with absolutely no sadness or regret to retire from the LPGA Tour at the end of the 2004 season," said Pepper in a statement.

"This game has given me a life that, at this very event, my first U.S. Women's Open at Salem Country Club (Peabody, Mass.) in 1984, I only dreamed of and never believed I would really have. The roller-coaster of injuries and rehab, though, have taken its toll. I am not able to prepare the way that I need to in order to contend and win. The injuries have stopped making it enjoyable."

Pepper's health problems began in 2000, when she missed a total of 11 weeks due to wrist and back injuries. She recovered in time to play in the 2000 Solheim Cup in Scotland and went on to win the last of her 17 career titles at the season-ending Arch Wireless Championship.

Her problems continued in 2002, a season she missed due to a left shoulder injury that required surgery. Despite earning enough points to appear in the 2002 Solheim Cup as a member of the U.S. Team, Pepper was forced to stand on the sidelines due to her ailing shoulder.

In addition, Pepper suffered from misdiagnosed ailments, including severe sinus infections and even a bout with Lyme Disease during the past year-and-a-half that forced her to withdraw from several events.

"At some point when your body continues to break down, you have to face the music," said Pepper. "So, that was what precipitated my decision. The injuries have made a game that was really fun a job. This is no longer a job that I can't wait to get to every morning. I finally know there's a lot more to life than this golf thing, spiritually, physically and emotionally."

Pepper plans to make a full recovery after receiving treatment for the compressed nerve and will attempt to play in approximately six more tournaments in 2004. She plans to work as a television broadcaster for LPGA events for ESPN and NBC, including this week's U.S. Women's Open.

Pepper's 17 wins include two major championships - the 1992 and 1999 Nabisco Dinah Shore - and her 19-under-par finish in the 1999 victory still stands as the lowest score in relation to par in a major championship. Arguably her most successful LPGA season was 1992, when she won four times, claimed the Rolex Player of the Year title and took home the Vare Trophy for lowest scoring average.

Pepper ranks ninth on the LPGA career money list with $6,824,353 in earnings, but there's no doubt she's known best as one of the U.S. Team's greatest competitors during the first six Solheim Cups.

Despite having missed the 2002 and 2003 Solheim Cups, Pepper is still tied for first, with Meg Mallon, for the most career points earned by a U.S. Team member with 14. Pepper amassed an impressive 13-5-2 career mark in the event from 1990-2000, including a near-perfect 5-1 singles record. Her fiery passion and aggressive play made her one of the most feared members of the U.S. Team.

Pepper began her career in 1988 and claimed the first of her 17 wins at the 1989 Oldsmobile Classic. That followed an impressive amateur career that included five collegiate victories, two Female Athlete of the Year awards at Furman University and three All-American selections.

Currently, Pepper has 21 points toward entrance into the LPGA Tour and World Golf Halls of Fame, six short of the requisite 27.

Media Contact:
Dana von Louda, LPGA
386-274-6200