Who's who: Chick Harbert

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Who's who: Chick Harbert

  • Name:

    Melvin R. "Chick" Harbert
  • Country:

    USA
  • Lived:

    [1915-1992]. Born on Feb 20, 1915 in Dayton, Ohio. Died on Sept 1, 1992 in Ocala, Florida (aged 77).
  • Original/Home Club:

  • Occupation:

    Professional golfer
  • Turned Pro:

    1940

Roll of Honour

MAJORS (1): US PGA Championship (1954). PGA Tour wins (9). Ryder Cup player (1949, '55); Ryder Cup captain (1955).

Did you know?

Harbert established himself as one of the most formidable US PGA Championship players, when the competition was conducted on a match play basis. Between his first appearance in 1946, and the final year of the match play format in 1957, he compiled a 24–10 (.706) record. He won the event in 1954 and was losing finalist in 1947 and 1952.

Top tournaments won by Chick Harbert

1957
America
281 (-7)
$1,500
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Harbert, Chick

Venue

Berwind

Score

281 (-7)

Prize money

$1,500

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Puerto Rico Open (Jan 31-Feb 3; part of a three-event Caribbean tour). Second-placed Roberto De Vicenzo (Arg) finished 2 shots Chick Harbert (USA). [Berwind CC, Rio Grande, Puerto Rico].

1954
Majors
Keller GC
4 & 3
$5,000
PGA of America

Category

Majors

Winner (holder)

Harbert, Chick

Venue

Keller GC

Score

4 & 3

Prize money

$5,000

Title sponsor

PGA of America

The US PGA Championship (36th) (July 21-27). Melvin R. "Chick" Harbert (USA) beat defending champion Walter Burkemo (USA) 4 and 3 in the 36-hole final, to record his first and only major championship win. [Keller GC, St Paul, Minnesota].

1948
America
Brentwood GC, FL
284 (-4)
$2,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Harbert, Chick

Venue

Brentwood GC, FL

Score

284 (-4)

Prize money

$2,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Jacksonville Open (March 11-14). Second-placed Skip Alexander (USA) and Vic Ghezzi (USA) finished 1 shot behind Harbert (USA). [Brentwood GC, Jacksonville, FL].

1948
America
Myers Park CC
273 (-15)
$2,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Harbert, Chick

Venue

Myers Park CC

Score

273 (-15)

Prize money

$2,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the (last) Charlotte Open (March 25-28). Second-placed and defending champion Cary Middlecoff (USA) finished 1 shot behind Chick Harbert (USA). [Myers Park CC, Charlotte, NC].

1942
America
Willow Springs, TX
272 (-12)
$1,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Harbert, Chick

Venue

Willow Springs, TX

Score

272 (-12)

Prize money

$1,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Texas Open (Feb 13-16). 27-year-old Melvin "Chick" Harbert (USA) beat Ben Hogan (USA) by 4 shots in an 18-hole Monday playoff (Harbert 72, Hogan 76). Harbert shot 30 on the final nine holes to force the playoff. [Willow Springs GC, San Antonio, TX].

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