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History - Timeline - 1945-1999
1945-49
1945
Byron Nelson wins 18 tournaments in a calendar year to set an all-time
PGA TOUR record-including a record 11 in a row and a record 19
consecutive rounds under 70. His total prize earnings during his 11-win
streak, $30,000, is less than last place money for the PGA TOUR
Championship by 1992.
The Tam O'Shanter Open offers a then-record purse of $60,000.
1946
The U.S. Women's Open is instituted. Patty Berg is the first winner.
1947
Mildred "Babe" Zaharias becomes the first American to win the British
Women's Open, at Gullane.
Golf is televised for the first time, in a local St. Louis telecast of
the U.S. Open.
"Golf World" magazine is founded.
1948
Bobby Locke becomes the first South African to win the British Open.
Bobby Locke sets a PGA TOUR record with a 16-stroke winning margin in
the Chicago Victory National Championship.
Herbert Warren Wind's authoritative "The Story of American Golf" is
published.
The U.S. Junior Amateur is instituted. Ken Venturi loses to Dean Lind in
the first final.
The "USGA Golf Journal" is founded.
1949
Louise Suggs wins the U.S. Women's Open by a record margin of 14
strokes.
Marie Roke of Wollaston, MA aces a 393 yard (359 m) hole—the longest ace
ever recorded by a woman.
1950
The LPGA is founded, replacing the ailing Women's Professional Golf
Association.
Ben Hogan, only weeks after returning to the PGA TOUR following a
near-fatal auto accident, wins the U.S. Open at Oakland Hills.
1951
Francis Ouimet becomes the first American Captain of the R & A.
The USGA and the R & A, in a conference, complete a newly revised Rules
of Golf. Although in 1951 the R & A and the USGA continue to differ over
the size of the golf ball, all other conflicts are resolved in this
momentous conference. The center-shafted putter is legalized world-wide.
The out-of-bounds penalty is standardized at stroke-and-distance, and
the stymie is finally and forever abolished.
"Golf Digest" is founded, with Bill Davis as editor.
Al Brosch shoots 60 in the Texas Open to set an 18-hole PGA TOUR record.
1952
Marlene Hagge wins the Sarasota Open when she is 18 years 14 days old—an
LPGA record.
Patty Berg shoots an LPGA-record of 64 for an 18-hole round.
The National Hole-in-One Clearing House is established by Golf Digest.
1953
Tommy Armour's "How to Play Your Best Golf All the Time" is published
and becomes the first golf book ever to hit the best-seller lists.
Ben Hogan wins the first three legs of the modern Grand Slam (The
Masters, U.S. Open, and British Open), but does not compete in the final
leg, the PGA Championship.
The Tam O'Shanter World Championship becomes the first tournament to be
nationally televised. Lew Worsham holes a 104 yard (95 m) wedge shot on
the final hole for eagle and victory in one of the most dramatic
finishes ever.
The Canada Cup is instituted, the first event that brings together teams
from all over the world. After 1966 the tournament is known as the World
Cup.
1954
Peter Thomson becomes the first Australian to win a major tournament
with a victory in the British Open.
Architect Robert Trent Jones, upon receiving complaints that he has made
the par-3 fourth hole at Baltusrol too hard for the upcoming U.S. Open,
plays the hole to see for himself and records a hole-in-one.
The U.S. Open is nationally televised for the first time.
The Tam O'Shanter World Championship offers the first $100,000 purse for
a golf tournament.
"All-Star Golf," a filmed series of matches, debuts on network
television.
Babe Zaharias returns to the LPGA Tour following cancer surgery and wins
the U.S. Women's Open.
The first PGA Merchandise Show is held in a parking lot in Dunedin,
Florida, outside the PGA National Golf Club. Salesmen work the show out
of the trunks of their cars. The Show goes on to become one of the main
events on the golfing calendar - by 1994 it grows to over 30,000
attendees, four days, and has become the single largest tenant of the
Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, spilling over 220,000 square
feet (20,000 m˛) of exhibit space.
1955
Mike Souchak shoots 60-68-64-65 for a PGA TOUR record 27-under-par 257
for 72 holes, at Brackenridge Park GC in the Texas Open. The record
still stands.
1956
The current yardage guides for par are adopted by the USGA.
1957
The Great Britain and Ireland team wins the Ryder Cup Matches at
Lindrick, ending a drought that dates back to 1935.
E. Harvie Ward loses his amateur status for accepting expenses from
sponsors for golf tournaments. The ruling is reversed in 1958.
Ben Hogan's Five Lessons is published.
1958
Arnold Palmer is allowed a controversial free drop to save par in the
final round of The Masters, and he goes on to defeat Ken Venturi.
1959
Bill Wright, in winning the U.S. Amateur Public Links, becomes the first
African-American to win a national championship.
"Golf Magazine" is founded, with Charles Price as the first editor.
1960
Arnold Palmer comes back from six shots down in the final round to win
the US Open. With his victory, he completes the first two legs of the
modern Grand Slam after winning The Masters in April, the first to do so
since Ben Hogan in 1953. He finishes second to Kel Nagle in the British
Open to end his bid. Palmer's entry in the British Open is credited with
reviving world-wide interest in the championship. Palmer went on to win
the British Open in both 1961 and 1962.
Lifting, cleaning, and repairing ballmarks is allowed on the putting
green for the first time.
1961
Gary Player becomes the first foreign player to win The Masters.
Caucasians-only clause stricken from the PGA constitution, and at the
Greater Greensboro Open Charlie Sifford becomes the first black golfer
to play in a PGA co-sponsored tournament in the South.
1962
Dr. Joseph Boydstone records 11 aces in one calendar year. Three were
recorded in one round, at Bakersfield C.C., Calif.
Jack Nicklaus wins his first professional tournament, the U.S. Open, the
last player to win the U.S. Open as his first pro victory.
Painted lines are first utilized to mark water hazards at the U.S. Open.
1963
Arnold Palmer becomes the first professional to earn over $100,000 in
official prize money in one calendar year.
Mickey Wright wins a record 13 events on the LPGA Tour in one year.
The casting method for irons is first employed.
1964
PGA National opens, in Palm Beach, Fla.
Mickey Wright sets the LPGA 18-hole record with a 62 at Hogan Park GC in
the Tall City Open.
Norman Manley, an amateur from Long Beach, Calif., scores holes-in-one
on two successive par-4s at Del Valley CC, Calif. It is the first and
only time this feat has been accomplished.
1965
Sam Snead wins the Greater Greensboro Open, his 81st TOUR victory, a
record (the total was later revised to 82). His victory is the eighth in
the Greensboro event, also a record. Finally, he wins at the age of 52,
also a PGA TOUR record.
Jack Nicklaus sets a tournament record of 271 in winning The Masters.
Mrs. William Jenkins Sr. of Baltimore, Md., double-eagles the par-five
12th hole at Longview GC, the longest ever recorded by a woman.
PGA TOUR Qualifying School is inaugurated at PGA National, with 17
golfers of the 49 applicants winning their playing cards.
1966
Arnold Palmer blows a six-shot lead in the final round of the US Open,
losing to a surging Billy Casper at Olympic.
1967
Charlie Sifford, by winning the Greater Hartford Open, becomes the first
African-American to win a PGA TOUR event.
Catherine Lacoste becomes the first amateur to win the U.S. Women's
Open.
The Canada Cup changes its name to the World Cup.
1968
Arnold Palmer passes the $1 million mark in career PGA earnings.
The PGA of America and the PGA TOUR officially split, with the
tournament professionals forming a breakaway group known as the
Association of Professional Golfers. The breach is eventually healed,
and a Tournament Players Division of the PGA is formed. Joe Dey is
elected the next year as the first PGA TOUR commissioner.
Tommy Moore, age 6 years 1 month, 1 week, becomes the youngest player to
score a hole-in-one. Moore also becomes, in 1975, the youngest player
ever to score a double-eagle.
Roberto DeVicenzo ties Bob Goalby after regulation play in The Masters,
but signs an incorrect scorecard and loses the event.
1969
Ollie Bowers of Gaffney, S.C. completes a record 542 rounds (9,756
holes) in one calendar year.
Jack Nicklaus concedes Tony Jacklin's final putt and Britain ties the
U.S. in the Ryder Cup Matches, after five consecutive defeats. The
gesture is often hailed as "the greatest act of sportsmanship in
history."
The trendsetting Harbour Town Golf Links opens on Hilton Head Island,
S.C., designed by Pete Dye with assistance from Jack Nicklaus.
1970
Bill Burke, with a 57 at Normandie C.C., sets the all-time official
record for low 18-hole score.
Thad Doker of Durham, N.C., records a record two-under par 70 in the
World One Club Championship at Lochmere CC.
1971
Laura Baugh wins the US Amateur at 16 years 2 months of age.
Alan Shepard hits a six-iron at "Fra Mauro Country Club" on the moon.
1972
Carolyn Gidone wins the US Senior Women's Amateur for a record fifth
consecutive time.
Dick Kimbrough completes 364 holes in 24 hours at the 6,068 North Platte
CC in Nebraska.
Tom Doty records 10-under-par in four holes at Brookwood CC, Illinois.
His streak includes a double-eagle, two holes-in-one, and an eagle.
Spalding introduces the first two-piece ball, the Top-Flite.
Jack Nicklaus completes the first two legs of the modern Grand Slam
winning the Masters and the US Open (at Pebble Beach), but like Arnold
Palmer in 1960, falters in the British Open by finishing second (to Lee
Trevino).
1973
Ben Crenshaw wins the NCAA title for a record 3rd consecutive time.
Later in the year, after earning his PGA TOUR card, he wins the first
event he plays as a PGA TOUR member, the San Antonio Open.
Johnny Miller fires a record 63 in the final round to win the US Open at
Oakmont.
The graphite shaft is invented.
The classic golf book "Golf in the Kingdom", by Michael Murphy, is
published.
Jack Nicklaus wins the PGA Championship and breaks Bobby Jones' record
for most major victories with his 14th.
1974
Deane Beman is elected as the second PGA TOUR commissioner.
Roberto DeVicenzo scores six birdies, an eagle, and three more birdies
for a record 11-under par for ten holes, at Valla Allende GC, Argentina.
The World Golf Hall of Fame is opened in Pinehurst, North Carolina.
Mike Austin hits a 515 yard (471 m) drive at the 1974 National Seniors
Open in Las Vegas, Nev., the longest drive ever recorded in competition.
Jack Nicklaus' "Golf My Way" is published.
Tom Weiskopf strikes a 420 yard (384 m) drive in the greenside bunker on
the 10th hole at Augusta National—the longest drive in Masters history.
Muirfield Village Golf Club opens from a Desmond Muirhead/Jack Nicklaus
design.
The Tournament Players Championship is inaugurated.
1975
Lee Elder becomes the first black golfer to play in The Masters.
Lee Trevino, Jerry Heard and Bobby Nichols are struck by lightning
during the 1975 Western Open. The incident prompts new safety standards
in weather preparedness at PGA events, but one spectator is killed when
struck by lightning during the 1991 U.S. Open at Hazeltine National, and
one at the PGA Championship at Crooked Stick later that summer.
1976
Judy Rankin becomes the first LPGA professional to earn more than
$100,000 in a season.
Richard Stanwood sets the record for fewest putts in one round—15—at
Riverside GC in Pocatello, ID.
The USGA institutes the Overall Distance Standard—golf balls that fly
more than 280 yards (256 m) during a standard test are banned.
1977
Al Geiberger shoots 59 at Colonial CC in the second round of the Memphis
Classic, to set a new PGA TOUR 18-hole record.
Bing Crosby dies after completing a round of golf in Spain. His Bing
Crosby National Pro-Am continues for several years, but after relations
sour between the PGA TOUR and the Crosby family, AT&T takes over
sponsorship of the event.
The "sudden-death" playoff is used for the first time in a major
championship, when Lanny Wadkins defeats Gene Littler for the PGA
Championship played at Pebble Beach.
In what has been described as the most exciting tournament in history,
Tom Watson defeats Jack Nicklaus by one stroke in the British Open, at
Turnberry. They were tied after the second and third rounds, and were
paired with each other during the final 36 holes.
1978
The Legends of Golf is inaugurated at Onion Creek C.C. in Austin, Texas.
Its popularity leads to the formation of the Senior PGA TOUR two years
later.
1979
The Ryder Cup is reformatted to add European continent players to the
British-Scottish-Irish side, making the event far more competitive.
Taylor Made introduces the first metal woods.
1980
Tom Watson is the first golfer to earn $500,000 in prize money in a
single season.
The Senior PGA TOUR is born, with four official events.
The U.S. Senior Open is instituted. Roberto DeVicenzo is the first
winner.
Jack Nicklaus sets a record of 272 in the U.S. Open at Baltusrol. His
mark is equalled in the 1993 U.S. Open by Lee Janzen, also at Baltusrol,
and later by Tiger Woods in 2000 at Pebble Beach.
The USGA introduces the Symmetry Standard, banning balls such as the
Polaris which correct themselves in flight.
Gary Wright completes 18 holes in a record 28 minutes 9 seconds at
Twantin Noosa GC, Australia 6,039 yards (5,522 m).
1981
The Tournament Players Club at Sawgrass opens, with its controversial
island green 17th hole, and immediately becomes the permanent host of
the Tournament Players Championship. The TPC at Sawgrass becomes the
prototype for a dozen "stadium" TPC courses around the United States,
built specifically to host PGA TOUR co-sponsored events and affording
better viewing for spectators.
The USGA institutes the U.S. Mid-Amateur for male amateur golfers 25 and
older.
Kathy Whitworth becomes the first woman to earn $1 million in career
prize money.
1982
Kevin Murray double-eagles the 647 yard (592 m) second hole at the Guam
Navy GC, the longest double-eagle ever recorded.
1983
The PGA TOUR introduces the all-exempt Tour, with the top 125 players
exempt from qualifying tournaments.
1984
Desert Highlands opens in Phoenix from a design by Jack Nicklaus
utilizing only 80 irrigated acres for 18 holes, instead of the typical
100-150 for a major course. The success of Nicklaus' concept of "target
golf" ushers in the era of environmentally-sensitive desert design.
1985
Nancy Lopez sets the LPGA 72-hole record with 268 in the Henredon
Classic.
The United States loses the Ryder Cup Matches for the first time since
1957, to the expanded European team.
The USGA introduces the Slope System to allow golfers to adjust their
handicaps to allow for the relative difficulty of a golf course compared
to players of their own ability.
1986
Bob Tway sinks a miracle bunker shot to beat a stunned Greg Norman in
the PGA Championship. Norman had held the lead on Sunday morning in each
of the four major championships of 1986, but was able to win only in the
British Open. Only Bobby Jones had previously held the Sunday morning
lead in each Grand Slam event. Tway's stroke inaugurated a celebrated
series of miracle shots holed by various golfers to defeat Norman.
The Pete Dye-designed PGA West opens amid great controversy concerning
the difficulty of the course.
The Panasonic Las Vegas Invitational offers the first $1 million purse.
The PGA TOUR Team Charity Competition debuts. By 1987, TOUR-related
contributions to charity exceed $100,000,000, and by 1992 they reach a
total of $200,000,000.
1987
The Links at Spanish Bay opens, the first true links course in the
Western United States. It is a co-design by Robert Trent Jones, Jr., Tom
Watson, and former USGA President Frank "Sandy" Tatum.
Judy Bell becomes the first woman elected to the USGA Executive
Committee.
The Nabisco Championships (later the TOUR Championship) debuts as a
season-ending event for the top 30 money winners. The first winner is
Tom Watson, breaking a three year victory drought.
Walter Dietz, a blind golfer, aces the 155 yard (142 m) seventh hole at
Manakiki G.C., California.
1988
Links Magazine is founded (originally Southern Links), with Mark Brown
as editor-in-chief.
Lori Garbacz orders a pizza between holes at the U.S. Women's Open to
protest slow play.
Square-grooved clubs such as the PING Eye2 irons are banned by the USGA,
which claims that tests show the clubs give an unfair competitive
advantage to PING customers. The PGA TOUR also bans the clubs in 1989.
Karsten Manufacturing, maker of the clubs, fights a costly two-year
battle with both the USGA and the PGA TOUR to have the ban rescinded
after winning a temporary injunction. Eventually both organizations drop
the ban, while Karsten acknowledges the right of the organizations to
regulate equipment and pledges to make modifications to future designs.
Curtis Strange wins the season-ending Nabisco Championships at Pebble
Beach, and his $360,000 paycheck lifts his official 1988 TOUR earnings
to $1,147,644, and thus he becomes the first player to win over
$1,000,000 in a single season.
1989
Four golfers, Doug Weaver, Mark Wiebe, Jerry Pate and Nick Price, hit
aces on the par-three sixth hole on the same day in the U.S. Open at Oak
Hill.
Nick Faldo sinks a 100 foot (30 m) birdie putt on the second hole at
Augusta National in The Masters, the longest putt holed to date in a
major tournament. Faldo goes on to win The Masters.
1990
Hall Thompson of Shoal Creek GC, on the eve of the PGA Championship at
Shoal Creek, defends his club's policy of not admitting black members.
Amidst a public outcry, Shoal Creek 1990 is forced to change its policy
and the PGA TOUR and the USGA insist that in future all clubs submit to
a standard set of guidelines on membership policies. Cypress Point Club
and Aronimink, among others, decide they are unable to comply and
withdraw from the professional tournament arena.
Bill Blue resigns after a short reign as LPGA Commissioner. Charles
Mecham is selected as his successor.
Construction begins on Shadow Creek Golf Club, the most expensive golf
course ever built, with cost estimates ranging from $35 to $60 million
as Tom Fazio creates an oasis in the Las Vegas desert. The club in 1994
vaults into eighth place on the Golf Digest top-100 course rankings,
sparking controversy.
The R & A, after 38 years, adopts the 1.68 inch diameter ball, and for
the first time since 1910 The Rules of Golf are standardized throughout
the world.
The initial Solheim Cup is played at Lake Nona G.C., Orlando, commencing
a biennial USA vs. Europe competition for women, a recognition of the
growing strength of women's golf on both sides of the Atlantic.
The Ben Hogan Tour is launched as a minor league for the PGA TOUR,
following the increased success of mini-tours such as the U.S. Golf Tour
in 1989.
1991
The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, S.C., the first course to be awarded
the Ryder Cup Matches before the course has been completed, is the scene
of the United States' first victory in the event since 1983. The
competition comes down to a twisting distance of seven feet (2 m) on the
18th hole missed by Bernhard Langer in the final match (against Hale
Irwin).
John Daly wins the PGA Championship at Crooked Stick when, as ninth
alternate, a slot in the tournament opens up for him on the night before
the Championship began. The golfer who withdrew and gave Daly his place,
Nick Price, wins the PGA Championship in 1992 at Bellerive.
Phil Mickelson, an amateur, wins the PGA TOUR's Northern Telecom Open.
Oversized metal woods are introduced, with Callaway Golf's Big Bertha
quickly establishing itself as the dominant brand, the Big Bertha driver
becomes one of the biggest-selling clubs of all time.
Harvey Penick's Little Red Book becomes the all-time best selling golf
book.
1992
Simon Clough and Boris Janic complete 18-hole rounds in five countries
in one day, walking each course. They played rounds in France,
Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany, and completed their
journey in 16 hours, 35 minutes.
Brittany Andres, age 6 years 19 days, scores an ace at the 85 yard (78
m) second hole at the Jimmy Clay G.C. in Austin, Texas.
1993
An ownership group led by Joe Gibbs and Arnold Palmer announce plans for
The Golf Channel, a 24-hour, 365-day cable service.
Men's Golf
* Major championship results:
1. April - The Masters - Bernhard Langer
2. June - US Open - Lee Janzen
3. July - The Open Championship - Greg Norman
4. August - PGA Championship - Paul Azinger
* PGA TOUR leading money winner for the year: Nick Price - $1,478,557
* Senior PGA TOUR leading money winner: Dave Stockton - $1,175,944
* Ryder Cup: United States team won 15-13 over the Europe team in world
golf.
Women's Golf
* US Women's Open - Lauri Merten
* LPGA Championship - Patty Sheehan
* Betsy King: leading money winner on the LPGA tour, earning $595,992.
1994
Men's Golf
* Major championship results:
1. April - The Masters - José María Olazábal
2. June - US Open - Ernie Els
3. July - The Open Championship - Nick Price
4. August - PGA Championship - Nick Price
* PGA TOUR leading money winner for the year: Nick Price - $1,499,927
* Senior PGA TOUR leading money winner: Dave Stockton - $1,402,519
* Tiger Woods becomes the youngest man ever to win the U.S. Amateur, at
age 18.
Women's Golf
* US Women's Open - Patty Sheehan
* LPGA Championship - Laura Davies
* Laura Davies: leading money winner on the LPGA tour, earning $687,201.
1995
Men's Golf
* Major championship results:
1. April - The Masters - Ben Crenshaw
2. June - US Open - Corey Pavin
3. July - The Open Championship - John Daly
4. August - PGA Championship - Steve Elkington
* PGA TOUR leading money winner for the year: Greg Norman - $1,654,959
* Senior PGA TOUR leading money winner: Jim Colbert - $1,444,386
* Ryder Cup: Europe won 14 1/2 to 13 1/2 over the United States in world
team golf.
Women's Golf
* US Women's Open - Annika Sörenstam
* LPGA Championship - Kelly Robbins
* Annika Sörenstam: leading money winner on the LPGA tour, earning
$666,533
1996
Men's Golf
* Major championship results:
1. April - The Masters - Nick Faldo
2. June - US Open - Steve Jones
3. July - The Open Championship - Tom Lehman
4. August - PGA Championship - Mark Brooks
* PGA TOUR leading money winner for the year: Tom Lehman - $1,780,159
* Senior PGA TOUR leading money winner: Jim Colbert - $1,627,890
* Tiger Woods became the first golfer to win three consecutive U.S.
Amateur titles. This was the sixth consecutive year in which he won a
USGA championship, one short of Bobby Jones' record of seven. In
September, he turned professional. In the last five regular tournaments
of the year on the PGA TOUR, his finishes were 5-3-1-3-1, placing him
among the tour's top 30 money-winners for the year and thereby
qualifying him for the season-ending TOUR Championship. Woods was named
the PGA TOUR's Rookie of the Year.
Women's Golf
* US Women's Open - Annika Sörenstam
* LPGA Championship - Laura Davies
* Karrie Webb is the leading money winner on the LPGA tour with earnings
of $1,002,000 becoming the first ever woman to earn more than a million
dollars in one golf season.
1997
Men's Golf
* Major championship results:
1. April - The Masters - Tiger Woods
2. June - US Open - Ernie Els
3. July - The Open Championship - Justin Leonard
4. August - PGA Championship - Davis Love III
* PGA TOUR leading money winner for the year: Tiger Woods - $2,066,833
* Senior PGA TOUR leading money winner: Hale Irwin - $2,343,364
* Ryder Cup: Europe won 14 1/2-13 1/2 over the United States in world
team golf.
Women's Golf
* US Women's Open - Alison Nicholas
* LPGA Championship - Chris Johnson
* Annika Sörenstam: leading money winner on the LPGA tour, earning
$1,236,789.
1998
Men's Golf
* Major championship results:
1. April - The Masters - Mark O'Meara
2. June - US Open - Lee Janzen
3. July - The Open Championship - Mark O'Meara
4. August - PGA Championship - Vijay Singh
* PGA TOUR leading money winner for the year: David Duval - $2,591,031
* Senior PGA TOUR leading money winner: Hale Irwin - $2,861,945
Women's Golf
* US Women's Open: Se Ri Pak
* LPGA Championship: Se Ri Pak
* Annika Sörenstam: leading money winner on the LPGA tour, earning
$1,092,748
1999
Men's Golf
* Major championship results:
1. April - The Masters - José Maria Olazábal
2. June - US Open - Payne Stewart
3. July - The Open Championship - Paul Lawrie
4. August - PGA Championship - Tiger Woods
* PGA TOUR leading money winner for the year: Tiger Woods - $6,616,585
* Senior PGA TOUR leading money winner: Bruce Fleisher - $2,515,705
* Ryder Cup: United States won 14 1/2 to 13 1/2 over Europe in world
team golf.
From:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_golf_history_1945-1999
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