John Bland
Name:
John Louis BlandCountry:
South AfricaLived:
[1945-2023]. Born on Sept 22, 1945 in Johannesburg, S Africa. Died on May 9, 2023 in George, S Africa (aged 77).Original/Home Club:
Occupation:
Professional golferTurned Pro:
1969Multiple winner on the Sunshine Tour (19), European Tour (2), Champions Tour (5), European Senior Tour (3), and other international tours. Four-time Southern Africa Tour Order of Merit winner (1977-78, 1987-88, 1989-90, 1990-91). Champions Tour Tookie of the Year (1996).
After turning professional in 1969 aged 24, John Bland developed his formidable golfing skills on the Southern Africa Tour, where he recorded 19 wins between 1977 and 1991. During much success in the 1980s, he also collected two wins on the European Tour.
Particularly noted for his short game skills, Bland continued his successful career after turning 50, with several wins on the PGA Champions Tour and European Senior Tour. In 1997 he came close to winning a first major championship, losing out to fellow countryman Gary Player in a playoff for the Senior British Open at Royal Portrush.
Europe
x
Played as the Ryder Cup Wales Seniors Open (June 18-20). Second-placed Angel Franco (Para) and Chris Williams (RSA) finished 1 shot behind 64-year old Bland (RSA), who claimed his third European Snr Tour win. [Royal Porthcawl GC, Mid Glamorgan, Wales].
Europe
Bad Ragaz
Played as the Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open (Aug 7-9). John Bland (RSA) beat Bob Boyd (USA) with a birdie at the second playoff hole, to record his second European Senior Tour win ... 14 yrs after his first. [GC Bad Ragaz, Switzerland].
America
Liberty Mutual
Played as the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf (March 21-23; unofficial two-man better-ball team event). Second-placed Gil Morgan (USA) & Hubert Green (USA) finished 3 shots behind John Bland (RSA) & Graham Marsh (Aus). [Palmer (private) course, PGA West, La Quinta, CA].
America
x
Played as the Puerto Rico Senior Tournament of Champions (Jan 18-21; Senior PGA Tour season-opener). Second-placed and defending champion Jim Colbert (USA) finished 1 shot behind John Bland (RSA), who recorded his second Senior PGA Tour win. [East course, TPC Dorado Beach, Puerto Rico; at the time known as Dorado Beach Resort].].
America
Northville
Played as the Northville Long Island Classic (Aug 16-18). Second-placed Jim Colbert (USA) finished 3 shots behind Bland (RSA). [Meadow Brook Club, Jericho, Long Island, NY].
America
Bruno's
Played as Bruno's Memorial Classic (May 31-Jun 2). Bland (RSA) beat John Paul Cain (USA) with a bogey at the third playoff hole; Kermit Zarley (USA) was eliminated at the second playoff hole. [Greystone G&CC, Birmingham, Alabama].
America
x
Played as The Transamerica (Oct 11-13). Second-placed Jim Colbert (USA) finished 1 shot behind Bland (RSA), who recorded the last of his five Snr PGA Tour wins. [South course, Silverado Resort, Napa, California].
Awards
Snr PGA Tr
Bland (RSA) won the Senior PGA Tour 1996 Rookie of the Year Award as the leading first-season player, based on the votes of his peers. He finished third on the Tour's money list, with earnings of $1,357,987.
America
Ralphs
Played as the Ralphs Senior Classic (Oct 20-22). Second-placed Jim Colbert (USA) finished 1 shot behind first-time Snr PGA Tour winner Bland (RSA). [Wilshire CC, Los Angeles, California].
Europe
x
Played as the inaugural London Masters. Second-placed Bobby Verwey (RSA), Hugh Inggs (RSA), John Morgan (Eng) and Tony Grubb (Eng) finished 4 shots behind Bland (RSA), who became the youngest winner on the Eurpn Snr Tr at 50 years 9 days. [Intl course, London GC, Ash, Kent, England].
Awards
S Africa Tr
1990/91 South Africa Tour Order of Merit. Won for the fourth time in his career by Bland (RSA) with season earnings of R333,637. Fultom Allen (RSA) was second with R190,090; Wayne Westner (RSA) was third with R168,158.
1989/90 South Africa Tour Order of Merit. Won for the third time in his career by Bland (RSA).
Africa
Safmarine
Played as the Safmarine South African Masters. Tony Johnstone (Zim) finished in second place behind Bland (RSA). [Stellenbosch GC, Western Cape, RSA].
1987/88 South Africa Tour Order of Merit. Won for the second time in his career by Bland (RSA).
Europe
Suze
Played as the Suze Open (April 17-20). Second-placed Seve Ballesteros (Esp) finished 4 shots behind Bland (RSA), who recorded the second of his two European Tour wins. [Cannes Mougins GCC, Mougins, nr Cannes, France].
Europe
Benson & Hedges
Played as the Benson & Hedges International Open (Aug 18-21). Second-placed Bernhard Langer (Ger) finished 1 shot behind first-time European Tour winner Bland (RSA). [Fulford GC, York, North Yorkshire].
Africa
Lexington
Played as the Lexington PGA Championship. Second-placed Gary Player (RSA) finished 2 shots behind Bland (RSA). [The Wanderers GC, Ilovo, Johannesburg, RSA].
1977/78 South Africa Tour Order of Merit. Won by Bland (RSA).
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