On this date in 1963, Arnold Palmer shot a 66 and won the Los Angeles Open to earn $9,000. He shot rounds of 69-69-70-66—274.
The World Golf Hall of Fame member Cary Middlecoff was born on this date in 1921 in Halls, Tennessee. A Masters and U.S. Open champion, “Doc” was a notorious slow player who tested everyone’s patience, but he was a bright man about the game and utilized his knowledge as a TV commentator and as a Golf Digest Instruction Panelist.
Ben Hogan’s score of 275 won the Los Angeles Open on this date in 1948. Lloyd Mangrum was four strokes behind at Riviera C.C.
Marvin (Vinny) Giles was born on this date in 1943. He was a well-decorated career amateur who won the U.S. Amateur and Amateur Championship (British) in the 1970s. He became a successful sports agent with his Pros Inc. agency.
On this date in 1993, Mark Brooks won the Pebble Beach Invitational by five shots.
On this date in 1948, Ben Hogan shot a 68 to trail leader Jack Harden by one in the first round of the Los Angeles Open at Riviera Country Club. Hogan would win the event for the second year in a row.
From CliffSchrock.com to its readers:
Happy New Year! May 2019 bring all things good to you.
Sorry, dear readers, but as a Packers fan, I pause from golf history to note that on today’s date in 1967, the famous Ice Bowl was played at Green Bay. The Packers defeated Dallas, 21-17, in temperature of 13 below zero in the NFL Championship game, which allowed Green Bay to play in Super Bowl II.
On this date in 1975, Tiger Woods was born in California. At 43, he is still pursuing Sam Snead in career PGA Tour victories (80 to 82) and Jack Nicklaus in major championships (14 to 18).
The great golf course architect Pete Dye, the creator of the bulkhead bunkers and greens, was born on this date in 1925.
World Golf Hall of Fame member Hubert Green was born on this date in 1946 in Birmingham, Alabama. He won 19 PGA Tour events, including two majors. He died on June 19 of this year after a long struggle with throat cancer.
Four-time PGA Tour winner Charley Hoffman was born on this date in 1976. This was also the birthdate of 1965 PGA champion and all-time great TV analyst Dave Marr. He was born in 1933, passed away in 1997 at age 63.
On this date in 1993, Raymond Floyd, Jack Nicklaus and Chi Chi Rodriguez, representing the Senior PGA Tour, won the Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge in the televised final day on ABC. The event actually played out on October 2 and 3 at Colleton River Plantation in Hilton Head, South Carolina, but was replayed on December 25 and 26. The seniors defeated the LPGA Tour team of Nancy Lopez, Lauri Merten and Patty Sheehen and the PGA Tour team of Lee Janzen, Greg Norman and Paul Azinger.
Until something more monumental occurs, this date in golf history will forever by remembered for the death of Young Tom Morris, died on Christmas Day 1875 at just age 24. A Scottish professional, he won the Open Championship four times and is seen as one of the first identified prodigies in golf history. After he won three titles in a row from 1868-1870, the championship belt was retired.
On this date in 1861, John Ball, Jr. was born in Hoylake of the UK. Ball was one of the most prolific amateur champions ever, winning the Amateur Championship eight times and the Open Championship once. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1977.
Herman Barron was born on this date in 1909; he was a member of the 1947 Ryder Cup team for the U.S. and won the 1963 Senior PGA. Also born on this date, in 1946, former Golf Digest Schools instructor and present CBS golf announcer Peter Kostis.
On this date in 1894, the United States Golf Association was formed in New York. The USGA would begin its championships the following year, the first U.S. Open being held at Newport Country Club in Rhode Island.
On this date in 1985, Alice Miller and the laconic one, Don January, won the Mazda Champions at 17 under par, beating Pat Bradley and Lee Elder in a playoff at Tryall Golf club in Jamaica.
On this date in 1987, Nancy Lopez and Miller Barber finished at 12 under par to win the Mazda Golf Champions event in Jamaica at the Tryall Golf and Beach Club. They finished three shots ahead of Colleen Walker and Arnold Palmer.
Larry Mize won the 1993 Johnnie Walker World Championship by a whopping 10 strokes on this date. It was played at Tryall Golf Club.