Audrey Lakowske Vaughn

Sports have always had a role in Audrey Vaughn’s life, and she has made that a family tradition that continues to this day.

Born June 7, 1926, in Tacoma, Audrey graduated from Stadium High School in 1944. While there were no inter-school sports competitions for girls during that time, she played second base for the 1945 and 1946 Washington state champion Lincoln Electric women’s fastpitch team. But don’t think that her skills were limited to the diamond; she also played guard on the 1945 City Basketball Championship team.

Despite her lack of school sports opportunities as a child, Audrey continued to place a priority on athletics throughout her entire life. In 1967, she and her husband Tex started an 8-and-under league for junior soccer. Tex was an active fastpitch player in the area, including placing second in the 1950 state tournament and fourth at regionals with Whylie’s Cafemen.

In her later years, Audrey has become quite the successful golfer, winning the ladies championship at Madrona Links in 1992 and the Ft. Steilacoom Ladies Nines title from 1997-2000 and again in 2002. She’s won the Gold Medal in the 74-79 age group in the Washington State Golf Championships, and in 1999 helped organize the Pierce County Senior Games that sought to give local seniors an opportunity to get out and compete.

"I golf to get out of the house and meet people," Audrey said at the time for a story in The News Tribune.