This Day in Golf History: September 9

Six years ago on this date, Brian Barnes, an English player, died at age 74. Barnes was one of the great characters in the game and played in the Ryder Cup from 1969 to 1979. On this date in 1962, Arnold Palmer finished play in the first World Series of Golf. Palmer played in three WSOGs, an unofficial 36-hole event involving the winners of the year’s major championships, held at Firestone Country Club, par-70, 7,165-yard South Course, Akron, Ohio. The first WSOG was played on September 8-9, 1962, with the results: Jack Nicklaus 66-69—135, $50,000; Arnold Palmer 65-74—139, $12,500; Gary Player 69-70—139, $12,500.