Billy Casper
Name:
William Earl "Billy" Casper Jr.Country:
USALived:
[1931-2015]. Born on June 24, 1931 in San Diego, California. Died on Feb 8, 2015 at home outside Salt Lake City, Utah, aged 83.Original/Home Club:
San Diego Country Club (where he caddied in his youth).Occupation:
Professional golfer, course designer, writer, founder of Billy Casper Golf (golf course management & marketing).Turned Pro:
1954Website:
https://www.billycaspergolf.comMAJORS (3). Senior MAJORS (2). Ryder Cup player (1961, '63, '65, '67, '69, '71, '73, '75). Ryder Cup captain (1979). Total professional wins (69), including PGA Tour (51), Champions Tour (9) and several outside of North America. PGA Tour leading money winner (1966, '68). World Golf Hall of Fame (inducted in 1978).
Billy Casper has been responsible for a number of course designs, which include (but are not limited to): Revere GC (Concord & Lexington courses), and Sun City Summerlin (Highlands, Palm & Eagle Crest courses). Both these design projects are in greater Las Vegas, and both done in collaboration with Greg Nash.
Casper's highly successful professional golf career saw him become one of the most prolific winners on the PGA Tour between 1956 and 1975. He accumulated 51 PGA Tour titles, and nine on the US Seniors Tour. He also competed on eight consecutive USA Ryder Cup teams (1961-75), and captained the team once (1979). The USA won all nine of these Ryder Cups.
In the period 1964-70, when Messrs Palmer, Player and Nicklaus were firing on all cylinders, Casper won the most PGA Tour titles (27) out of this illustrious quartet. Outside North America he also notched-up two Brazilian Opens, two Hassan II Trophies, the Mexican Open, Trophée Lancôme and an Italian Open.
Casper wrote about his career and personal perspectives on golf in the excellently titled 'The Big Three and Me'. Casper also founded a golf course management and marketing company (Billy Casper Golf), which is now the second largest operator of golf courses in the United States.
America
Transamerica
Played as the inaugural Transamerica Senior Golf Championship (Oct 19-22). Second-placed Al Geiberger (USA) finished 3 shots behind Casper (USA), who recorded the last of his nine Snr PGA Tour victories. [South course, Silverado Resort, Napa, California].
Majors
Mazda
Played as the Mazda Senior Tournament Players Championship (June 9-12). Second-placed Al Geiberger (USA) finished 2 shots behind Casper (USA). [Stadium Course, TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL].
America
Vantage
Played as the Vantage at the Dominion. Second-placed Chi Chi Rodriguez (PR/USA) finished 1 shot behind Casper (USA). [Dominion CC, San Antonio, Texas].
America
Del E. Webb
Played as the Del E. Webb Arizona Classic (March 13-15; formerly Senior PGA Tour Roundup). Second-placed Bob Charles (NZ) and Dale Douglass (USA) finished 5 shots behind Casper (USA). [Hillcrest GC, Sun City West, Phoenix, AZ].
America
x
Played as the Greater Grand Rapids Open. Second-placed Miller Barber (USA) finished 3 shots behind Casper (USA). [The Highlands GC, Grand Rapids, Michigan; at the time known as Elks CC].
America
Unionmutual
Played as the Unionmutual Seniors Golf Classic (Sept 27-29; unofficial seniors invitational event). Second-placed Orville Moody (USA) finished 2 shots behind Casper (USA). [Purpoodock Club, Cape Elizabeth, nr Portland, Maine].
America
x
Played as the inaugural Senior PGA Tour Roundup (April 20-22). Second-placed Bob Stone (USA) finished 2 shots behind Casper (USA). [Hillcrest GC, Sun City West, Phoenix, AZ].
America
Liberty Mutual
Played as the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf (unofficial two-man better-ball team event). Second-placed Miller Barber (USA) & Julius Boros (USA) finished 3 shots behind Billy Casper (USA) & Gay Brewer (USA). [Onion Creek Club, Austin, Texas].
Majors
USGA
The US Senior Open (July 22-25). Casper (USA) beat Rod Funseth (USA) with a birdie at the first sudden-death playoff hole, which followed an 18-hole playoff in which both players shot 75 (+4). [Hazeltine National GC, Chaska, Minn.].
America
Merrill Lynch/Golf Digest
Played as the Merrill Lynch/Golf Digest Commemorative Pro-Am. Casper (USA) beat Bob Toski (USA) with a birdie at the fourth playoff hole. [Newport CC, Newport, Rhode Island].
America
x
Played as the inaugural Shootout at Jeremy Ranch. Second-placed Miller Barber (USA) and Don January (USA) finished 1 shot behind first-time US Snr Tr winner Casper (USA). [Jeremy Ranch G&CC, Park City, nr Salt Lake City, Utah].
America
x
Played as the Mexican Open (Abierto Mexicano de Golf) (for the last time until 1980). Seve Ballesteros (Esp) finished in second place behind Casper (USA). [CC Chiluca, Ciudad López Mateos, nr Mexico City].
America
First NBC
Played as the First NBC New Orleans Open (May 15-18). Second-placed Peter Oosterhuis (Eng) finished 2 shots behind Billy Casper (USA), who recorded the last of his 51 PGA Tour wins. [Lakewood GC, New Orleans, LA].
Europe
x
Played as the Hassan II Trophy (unofficial limited-field event). Tommy Aaron (USA) finished in second place behind Casper (USA), who won this event for the second time in three years. [Red course, Royal Golf Dar Es Salam, Rabat, Morocco].
Europe
x
Played as the Italian Open. Second-placed Brian Barnes (Scot) finished 1 shot behind Casper (USA), who recorded his first (and only) win in an official European Tour event (Casper also won the unofficial Trophee Lancome in 1974). [Red course, GC Monticello, Cassina Rizzardi, nr Como].
Europe
Lancome
Played as the Trophee Lancome. Won by Billy Casper (USA). [Golf de Saint-Nom-La-Bretèche, nr Paris, France].
Europe
x
Played as the Hassan II Trophy (Dec 6-9; unofficial limited-field event). Second-placed Rod Funseth (USA) finished 5 shots behind Casper (USA). [Red course, Royal Golf Dar Es Salam, Rabat, Morocco].
America
Sammy Davis, Jr.
Played as the Sammy Davis Jr. Greater Hartford Open (Aug 31-Sep 3). Second-placed Bruce Devlin (Aus) finished 1 shot behind Billy Casper (USA). This was the last of Casper's four wins in this event, and his 50th PGA Tour win overall. Monday Labour Day finish. [Wethersfield CC, nr Hartford, CT].
America
WGA
Played as the Western Open (June 28-July 1). Second-placed Larry Hinson (USA) and Hale Irwin (USA) finished 1 shot behind Billy Casper (USA), who recorded the last of his four wins in this event. [Midlothian CC, Midlothian, nr Chicago, IL].
America
Kaiser Intl.
Played as the Kaiser International Open Invitational (Oct 21-24). Second-placed Fred Marti (USA) finished 4 shots behind Billy Casper (USA). [North course, Silverado Resort, Napa, CA].
Japan
x
Played as the inaugural United States-Japan Golf Match (Nov 5-7; Japan Tr event; individual low score winner). Bert Yancey (USA) finished in third place behind Billy Casper (USA) and Masashi "Jumbo" Ozaki (Jpn), who tied for first place. Casper recorded his first and only professional circuit win in Japan. [Perfect Liberty CC, Osaka, Japan].
Majors
x
The Masters Tournament (34th) (April 9-13). Casper (USA) beat Gene Littler (USA) in an 18-hole playoff: Casper 69 (-3), Littler 74 (+2). Casper won the title he narrowly missed out on the year before. [Augusta National GC, Augusta, GA].
America
AVCO
Played as the AVCO Golf Classic (Aug 21-24). Second-placed Rod Funseth (USA) and Tom Weiskopf (USA) finished 1 shot behind Billy Casper (USA). Monday finish required after Sunday's final round was rained out. [Pleasant Valley CC, Sutton, MA].
America
IVB
Played as the IVB Philadelphia Golf Classic (July 16-19). Second-placed Terry Wilcox (USA) finished 3 shots behind Billy Casper (USA). [Whitemarsh Valley CC, Lafayette Hill, nr Philadelphia, PA].
America
x
Played as the Los Angeles Open (Jan 8-11; PGA Tour season-opener). Casper (USA) beat Hale Irwin (USA) with a birdie at the first playoff hole. [Rancho Park GC, Los Angeles, CA].
Awards
PGA of America
Casper (USA) won his second PGA of America Player of the Year Award (based on points allocated for PGA Tour wins, money-list position and scoring average).
America
WGA
Played as the Western Open (July 5-8). Second-placed Rocky Thompson (USA) finished 4 shots behind Billy Casper (USA), who recorded the third of his four wins in this event. [Midlothian CC, Midlothian, nr Chicago, IL].
America
Alcan
Played as the Alcan Golfer of the Year Championship (Sept 25-28; PGA Tour event). Second-placed Lee Trevino (USA) finished 1 shot behind Billy Casper (USA). [Portland GC, Portland, OR]. Note: of the four Alcan Golfer of the Year events, this is the only one played in the USA. The 1967, '68 & '70 editions were played in the British Isles.
America
x
Played as the Bob Hope Desert Classic (Feb 5-9). Second-placed Dave Hill (USA) finished 3 shots behind Casper (USA). [Indian Wells CC, Coachella Valley, CA. Earlier rounds also at: Bermuda Dunes CC; Tamarisk CC; La Quinta CC].
America
x
Played as the Greater Hartford Open Invitational (Sept 5-8). Second-placed Bruce Crampton (Aus) finished 3 shots behind Billy Casper (USA). This was the third of Casper's four wins in this event. [Wethersfield CC, nr Hartford, CT].
America
x
Played as the "500" Festival Open Invitational (June 6-9; held in conjunction with the Indy 500 race week). Second-placed Mike Hill (USA) and defending champion Frank Beard (USA) finished 1 shot behind Billy Casper (USA), who won this event for the second time in three years, and third time in total. [Brickyard Crossing GC, at the time known as Speedway GC, Indianapolis, IN].
America
x
Played as the Colonial National Invitation (May 16-19). Second-placed Gene Littler (USA) finished 5 shots behind Billy Casper (USA), who won this event for the second time. [Colonial CC, Ft Worth, TX].
Awards
PGA of America
Casper (USA) won his second PGA Tour leading money winner title, with 1968 season earnings of $205,168 on the Tour. Jack Nicklaus (USA) was second with $155,285; Tom Weiskopf (USA) was third with $152,946.
America
x
Played as the Los Angeles Open (Jan 25-28). Second-placed and defending champion Palmer (USA) finished 3 shots behind Casper (USA). [Brookside GC, Pasadena, CA].
America
Lucky Lager
Played as the Lucky International Open (Oct 31-Nov 3). Second-placed Raymond Floyd (USA) and Don Massengale (USA) finished 4 shots behind Billy Casper (USA), who recorded his 40th PGA Tour win. [Harding Park GC, San Francisco, Calif. Now known as TPC Harding Park].
America
x
Played as the Greater Greensboro Open (April 5-8). Second-placed George Archer (USA), Gene Littler (USA) and Bobby Nichols (USA) finished 4 shots behind Casper (USA), who recorded his second win in this event. [Sedgefield CC, Greensboro, NC].
Awards
PGA of America
Casper (USA) won his fifth PGA of America Vardon Trophy, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the PGA Tour. Jack Nicklaus (USA) was second with 69.97; George Archer (USA) was third with 70.34.
America
x
Played as the Canadian Open (June 29-July 3). Billy Casper (USA) beat Art Wall Jr (USA) in an 18-hole Monday playoff (Casper 65, Wall Jr 69). [Montréal Municipal GC, Parc Maisonneuve, Montréal, Québec. Original 18-hole course now closed].
Played as the Carling World Open.
Awards
PGA of America
Casper (USA) won his fourth (and second straight) PGA of America Vardon Trophy, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the PGA Tour.
Majors
USGA
The US Open (66th) (Jun 16-20). Casper (USA) beat Arnold Palmer (USA) in an 18-hole playoff: Casper 69 (-1), Palmer 73 (+3). In the final round of regulation play, Casper overcame a seven shot deficit on the last nine holes. [Lake course, Olympic Club, nr San Francisco, CA].
America
WGA
Played as the Western Open (June 23-26). Second-placed Gay Brewer (USA) finished 3 shots behind defending champion Billy Casper (USA), who recorded the second of his four wins in this event. [No.3 Course, Medinah CC, Bloomingdale, nr Chicago, IL].
America
x
Played as the "500" Festival Open Invitational (July 28-31). Second-placed Richard "R.H." Sikes (USA) finished 3 shots behind Billy Casper (USA). [Brickyard Crossing GC, at the time known as Speedway GC, Indianapolis, IN].
America
x
Played as the San Diego Open Invitational (Jan 13-16). Second-placed Tommy Aaron (USA) and Tom Weiskopf (USA) finished 4 shots behind Casper (USA). [Riverwalk GC, San Diego, CA; at the time known as Stardust CC].
Awards
PGA of America
Casper (USA) won the PGA of America Player of the Year Award (based on points allocated for PGA Tour wins, money-list position and scoring average).
Awards
PGA of America
Casper (USA) was the PGA Tour 1966 leading money winner, with earnings of $121,945 on the Tour. Jack Nicklaus (USA) was second with $111,419; Arnold Palmer (USA) was third with $110,468.
America
Sahara Hotel
Played as the Sahara Invitational (Oct 20-23). Second-placed Billy Martindale (USA) finished 3 shots behind Billy Casper (USA). [Paradise Valley CC, Henderson, NV; now called Wildhorse GC].
America
x
Played as the Bob Hope Desert Classic (Feb 3-7; formerly the Palm Springs Golf Classic). Second-placed Tommy Aaron (USA) and Arnold Palmer (USA) finished 1 shot behind Casper (USA), who recorded his 25th PGA Tour win. [Bermuda Dunes CC, Coachella Valley, CA. Earlier rounds also at: Indian Wells CC; Eldorado CC; La Quinta CC].
America
x
Played as the Insurance City Open Invitational (July 22-25). Billy Casper (USA) beat Johnny Pott (USA) with a birdie at the first playoff hole, to win this event for the second time in three years. [Wethersfield CC, nr Hartford, CT].
Awards
PGA of America
Casper (USA) won his third PGA of America Vardon Trophy, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the PGA Tour.
America
WGA
Played as the Western Open (July 1-4). Second-placed Jack McGowan (USA) and Chi Chi Rodríguez (Puerto Rico/USA) finished 2 shots behind Billy Casper (USA), who recorded the first of his four wins in this event. [Tam O'Shanter CC, Niles, nr Chicago, IL; now the municipal Tam O'Shanter Golf Course].
Played as the Doral Open (March 19-22). Second-placed Jack Nicklaus (USA) finished 1 shot behind Billy Casper (USA), who recorded his second win in this event in three years. [Blue Monster course, Doral Resort, Miami, FL].
America
x
Played as the Almaden Open (Oct 30-Nov 3; PGA Tour event). Billy Casper (USA) beat Pete Brown (USA) with a six-foot birdie putt at the third sudden-death playoff hole. This followed an 18-hole Tuesday playoff in which Casper and Brown both scored 4-under 68s, and Jerry Steelsmith (USA) was eliminated with a 73. [Almaden CC, San Jose, CA; now called Almaden G&CC].
America
x
Played as the Colonial National Invitation (May 7-10). Second-placed Tommy Jacobs (USA) finished 4 shots behind Billy Casper (USA). [Colonial CC, Ft Worth, TX].
America
x
Played as the Greater Seattle Open (Sept 24-27). Second-placed Mason Rudolph (USA) finished 2 shots behind Billy Casper (USA). [Broadmoor GC, Seattle, WA].
Awards
PGA of America
Casper (USA) won his second PGA of America Vardon Trophy, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the PGA Tour.
America
x
Played as the Insurance City Open Invitational (Aug 15-18). Second-placed George Bayer (USA) finished 1 shot behind Billy Casper (USA), who recorded his 20th PGA Tour win. This was the first of Casper's four wins in this event. [Wethersfield CC, nr Hartford, CT].
America
Bing Crosby
Played as the Bing Crosby National Pro-Am (Jan 17-20). Second-placed Bob Rosburg (USA), Dave Hill (USA), Art Wall Jr (USA), Gary Player (RSA) and Jack Nicklaus (USA) finished 1 shot behind Casper (USA). [Pebble Beach Links, Monterey Peninsula, CA. Earlier rounds also at: Cypress Point Club and Monterey Peninsula CC].
Played as the Bakersfield Open Invitational.
Played as the inaugural Doral Country Club Open (March 23-26). Second-placed Pete Bondeson (USA) finished 1 shot behind Billy Casper (USA). [Blue Monster course, Doral Resort, Miami, FL].
America
x
Played as the Greater Greensboro Open (April 12-15). Second-placed and defending champion Mike Souchak (USA) finished 1 shot behind Casper (USA). [Sedgefield CC, Greensboro, NC].
America
x
Played as the "500" Festival Open Invitational (May 24-27; held in conjunction with the Indy 500 race week). Second-placed George Bayer (USA) and Jerry Steelsmith (USA) finished 1 shot behind Billy Casper (USA). [Brickyard Crossing GC, at the time known as Speedway GC, Indianapolis, IN].
America
x
Played as the Portland Open Invitational (Sept 21-24). Second-placed Dave Hill (USA) finished 1 shot behind Billy Casper (USA), who won this event for the third straight time. [Columbia Edgewater CC, Portland, OR].
America
x
Played as the Orange County Invitational (Oct 13-16). Second-placed Charlie Sifford (USA) finished 1 shot behind Casper (USA). [Mesa Verde CC, Costa Mesa, nr Newport Beach, CA].
America
x
Played as the Portland Open Invitational (Sept 22-25). Second-placed Paul Harney (USA) finished 2 shots behind defending champion Billy Casper (USA). [Portland GC, Portland, Oregon].
America
x
Played as the Hesperia Open Invitational (Sept 30-Oct 3). Second-placed Bob Rosburg (USA) finished 7 shots behind Billy Casper Jr (USA), who added this PGA Tour title to the Portland Open, which he won the week before. [Hesperia G&CC, Hesperia, CA].
Awards
PGA of America
Casper (USA) won the PGA of America Vardon Trophy, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the PGA Tour.
Played as the Brazil Open (Aberto do Brasil). Mario Gonzalez (Brazil) finished in second place behind defending champion Casper (USA). [Gavea GC, São Conrado, Rio de Janeiro].
America
x
Played as the Lafayette Open (Nov 12-15). Second-placed George Bayer (USA) finished 4 shots behind Casper (USA), who recorded his third PGA Tour win in his last four starts. [Oakbourne CC, Lafayette, Louisiana].
Played as the Mobile Sertoma Open Invitational.
America
x
Played as the Portland Centennial Open Invitational (Oct 1-4; last played in 1948). Second-placed Bob Duden (USA) and Dave Ragan (USA) finished 3 shots behind Billy Casper (USA). [Portland GC, Portland, Oregon].
Played as the Lafayette Open Invitational.
Majors
USGA
The US Open (59th) (Jun 11-14). Second-placed Bob Rosburg (USA) finished 1 shot behind Casper (USA). [West course, Winged Foot GC, Mamaroneck, NY].
America
Buick
Played as the inaugural Buick Open Invitational (June 19-23). Second-placed Arnold Palmer (USA) and Ted Kroll (USA) finished 1 shot behind Billy Casper (USA). This event marked Buick becoming the first corporate sponsor on the PGA Tour. Monday finish required after Friday second round was rained out. [Warwick Hills G&CC, Grand Blanc, Michigan].
America
Bing Crosby
Played as the Bing Crosby National Pro-Am Championship (Jan 9-12; first time as a 72-hole event). Second-placed Dave Marr (USA) finished 4 shots behind Casper (USA). [Pebble Beach Links, Monterey Peninsula, CA. Earlier rounds also at: Cypress Point Club and Monterey Peninsula CC].
America
x
Played as the Greater New Orleans Open Invitational (March 9-12; played for the first time since 1948). Billy Casper (USA) beat Ken Venturi (USA) with an eagle at the second playoff hole. [Bayou Oaks at City Park, New Orleans, LA. Played on what was known as City Park's No.1 (East) course; now part of the South course).
America
x
Played as the Brazil Open (Aberto do Brasil). Second-placed Leopoldo Ruiz (Arg) finished 9 shots behind Casper (USA). [Sao Paulo GC, Santo Amoro, Sao Paulo, Brazil].
Played as the Kentucky Derby Open Invitational.
America
x
Played as the Phoenix Open Invitational (Jan 31-Feb 3). Second-placed Mike Souchak (USA) and defending champion Cary Middlecoff (USA) finished 3 shots behind Casper (USA), who recorded his second PGA Tour win. [Arizona CC, Phoenix, AZ].
America
Labatt Brewing
Played as the Labatt Open (July 12-15). Second-placed Jimmy Demaret (USA) finished 2 shots behind 25-year-old Billy Casper (USA), who recorded the first of his 51 PGA Tour wins. [Royal Québec GC, Boischatel, nr Québec City].
The Sentry: known for many years as the Tournament of Champions, the PGA Tour’s 2025 season-opener gets underway on Kapalua’s Plantation course (Jan 2-5). Chris Kirk defends.
Tournament of Champions: the LPGA Tour’s 2025 season is launched at Lake Nona with the their Tournament of Champions (Jan 30-Feb 2). The 2024 edition gave Lydia Ko her 20th LPGA Tour title.
Attahya Thitikul: also known as “Jeeno”, the Thai golfer won the LPGA Tour’s 2024 CME Group Tour Championship … and an eye-watering $4 million, the richest first-prize in women’s golf.
Rory McIlroy: scooped the 2024 European (DP World) Tour season-long Order of Merit title, joining Seve Ballesteros as a six-time winner of this prestigious award.
Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.
Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.
Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.
Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available
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