As the founder of two-year-old golf apparel company Bad Pants, Betsy Dee is an entrepreneurial spirit who refused to settle for unglamorous golfing garb. A New York native now living in Oakland, California, Dee was introduced to the game by her ex-husband three years ago. She loved the sport but, like many women, hated the apparel. "I began looking for clothes and thought, holy smokes, nobody's thought about this since 1972," says Dee, 43. She began wearing clothing she designed herself (primarily knit tops and tailored pants), and when other golfers stopped to admire her outfits, Dee saw an untapped market. "There was such interest that I wished I had my own line," she says.

At the time, she was working as a creative director at an advertising agency in San Francisco, but was feeling dissatisfied. " From the moment I could hold a crayon I'd wanted to be a fashion designer, and this just seemed like the right time." So she took some of her sketches to a studio for manufacturing, hit upon a provocative name and launched Bad Pants. "I wanted a memorable name that evoked the image of old men in bad pants. People in the golf industry love it."

Dee created a collection inspired by classic Hollywood actresses like Katharine Hepburn, Lauren Bacall and Carole Lombard. Today, some of her most popular items are a sleeveless cotton/Lycra zip top, cuffed tailored pants in a linen silk (pleated or flat-front) and a cigarette pant with removable overskirt in a stretch nylon. In her designs, she strives to reconcile the feminine and the functional. For instance, she says, "I designed a cute little outfit featuring a sleek top and slim pants. The designer in me didn't want to muck it up with pockets, but golf is all about pockets. So I made a separate silk linen waist bag that's worn like a belt and is ideal for holding balls and gloves."

As she turned her career upside down says Dee, "I promised myself no matter what happened I'd play golf once a week - and I do. It's better than therapy. Though I have a high handicap, for me it's all about the personal challenge." And now when her clothes get compliments on the course or in the clubhouse, she's prepared. "I say, I know exactly where you can buy these clothes," and I whip out my Bad Pants card."

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• Golf for Women puts the spotlight on BAD Pants!