Tommy Horton
Name:
Thomas Alfred "Tommy" HortonCountry:
EnglandLived:
[1942-2017]. Born on June 16, 1942 in St Helens, Lancashire, England. Died on Dec 7, 2017 in Jersey, Channel Islands, aged 76.Original/Home Club:
Royal Jersey GC, Grouville, Jersey.Occupation:
Professional golfer, golf coach, course designer, golf writer and broadcaster.Turned Pro:
1957Ryder Cup player (1975, '77). Total professional wins (42), including European circuit/Tour (8) and European Snr Tour (23). European Snr Tour Order of Merit winner (1993, '96, '97, '98, '99). Appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire, MBE (2000).
Known throughout the golfing world as a true gentleman of the game, Horton was born on Merseyside, but moved to Jersey in the Channel Islands when he was aged five. He was a cornerstone of the European professional circuit in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, making Ryder Cup appearances in 1975 and 1977.
During Horton's playing days on the European Tour (1971-94), fifth was his best finish on the Tour's Order of Merit. However, Horton enjoyed much greater success on the European Senior Tour, winning the Order of Merit on a record five occasions in the 1990s.
Europe
Royal Westmoreland
Played as the inaugural Royal Westmoreland Barbados Open (March 30-April 1; Eurpn Snr Tr season opener). Second-placed Jerry Bruner (USA) finished 2 shots behind Horton (Eng), who won the Tour's season-opening event for the fourth straight year, and recorded the last of his 23 wins on the European Snr Tour. [Royal Westmoreland, St James, Barbados].
Awards
Eurpn Snr Tr
Horton (Eng) won his fifth (and fourth straight) Eurpn Snr Tr Order of Merit and associated John Jacobs Trophy, with 1999 season earnings of €138,943 on the Tour. Eddie Polland (N.Ire) was second with €106,977; Jerry Bruner (USA) was third with €105,243.
Europe
x
Played as the inaugural Monte Carlo Invitational (Sept 9-11). Second-placed Bill Brask (USA), Ray Carrasco (USA) and Jerry Bruner (USA) finished 1 shot behind Horton (Eng), whose late charge included five birdies in the final six holes. [Monte-Carlo GC, Mont Agel, La Turbie, French Riviera].
Europe
Beko
Played as the Beko Classic (May 7-9; Eurpn Snr Tr season opener). Second-placed Alan Tapie (USA) finished 1 shot behind Tommy Horton (Eng), who won this event for the second time in three years. [Marmara Golf, Silivri, nr Istanbul, Turkey; at the time called Klassis G&CC].
Europe
De Vere
Played as the De Vere Hotels Seniors Classic (June 12-14). Second-placed Ian Richardson (Eng) finished 1 shot behind Horton (Eng). [Belton Woods Htl & GC, nr Grantham, Lincs, England].
Awards
Eurpn Snr Tr
Horton (Eng) won his fourth (and third straight) Eurpn Snr Tr Order of Merit and associated John Jacobs Trophy, with 1998 season earnings of £127,656 on the Tour. Brian Huggett (Wales) was second with £102,382; Eddie Polland (N.Ire) was third with £92,145.
Europe
x
Played as the inaugural (and only) El Bosque Seniors Open (May 1-3; Eurpn Snr Tr season opener). Second-placed Noel Ratcliffe (Aus) finished 9 shots behind Horton (Eng). [El Bosque GC, Chiva, nr Valencia, Spain].
Europe
The Belfry
Played as The Belfry PGA Seniors Championship (Aug 28-31). Second-placed Renato Campagnoli (Italy) and Jim Rhodes (Eng) finished 2 shots behind Tommy Horton (Eng), who recorded his 20th European Senior Tour win. [PGA National course, The Belfry, Wishaw, nr Birmingham].
Europe
x
Played as the Snr Tournament of Champions (Eurpn Snr Tr season-ending event). Second-placed Jose Maria Canizares (Esp) finished 3 shots behind defending champion Horton (Eng). [Buckinghamshire GC, Denham, Bucks].
Awards
Eurpn Snr Tr
Horton (Eng) won his third (and second straight) Eurpn Snrs Tr Order of Merit and associated John Jacobs Trophy, with 1997 season earnings of £158,427 on the Tour. Noel Ratcliffe (Aus) was second with £86,060; Antonio Garrido (Esp) was third with £62,671.
Europe
Beko/Oger
Played as the Beko Turkish Seniors Open (May 8-10; Eurpn Snr Tr season opener). Second-placed Maurice Bembridge (Eng) finished 2 shots behind Horton (Eng). [National GC, Belek, nr Antalya, Turkey].
Europe
AIB
Played as the inaugural AIB Irish Seniors Open (May 16-18). Second-placed Noel Ratcliffe (Aus) finished 2 shots behind Tommy Horton (Eng), who took the title with three birdies in the last four holes. [St Margaret's G&CC, St Margaret's, Co. Dublin].
Europe
Clubhaus
Played as the Clubhaus Seniors' Classic. Second-placed David Jones (N.Ire) finished 2 shots behind Horton (Eng). [Benton Hall G&CC, Witham, Essex, England].
Europe
x
Played as the Scottish Seniors Open (Sept 5-7). Second-placed J.R. "Jim" Delich (USA) finished 9 shots behind Tommy Horton (Eng). Reduced to 36 holes due to bad weather. [Hawkshill course, Newmachar GC, nr Aberdeen, Scotland].
Europe
x
Played as the Jersey Seniors Open (June 6-8). Second-placed Craig Defoy (Wales) finished 6 shots behind Tommy Horton (Eng). [La Moye GC, St Brelade, Jersey, Channel Islands].
Europe
x
Played as the Stella Senior Open. Second-placed Noel Ratcliffe (Aus) finished 2 shots behind Horton (Eng). [Idstein G&CC, nr Frankfurt, Germany].
Awards
Eurpn Snr Tr
Horton (Eng) won his second Eurpn Snrs Tr Order of Merit and associated John Jacobs Trophy, with 1996 season earnings of £133,195 on the Tour. John Morgan (Eng) was second with £69,346; Malcolm Gregson (Eng) was third with £60,090.
Europe
Castle Royle
Played as the Castle Royle European Seniors Classic. Horton (Eng) beat Brian Huggett (Wales) in a playoff. [Castle Royle G&CC, nr Maidenhead, Berks, England].
Europe
Northern Electric
Played as the Northern Electric Snrs Open. Second-placed Noel Ratcliffe (Aus) and Antonio Garrido (Esp) finished 4 shots behind Horton (Eng). [Slaley Hall Resort, Hexham, Northumberland].
Europe
x
Played as The Senior Players Championship (Eurpn Snr Tr season-ending event). Second-placed Gary Player (RSA) and Malcolm Gregson (Eng) finished 2 shots behind Horton (Eng). [Buckinghamshire GC, Denham, Bucks].
Europe
De Vere
Played as the De Vere Hotels Classic. Second-placed Antonio Garrido (Esp) finished 1 shot behind Horton (Eng). [Belton Woods Htl & GC, nr Grantham, Lincs, England].
Europe
x
Played as the St Pierre Seniors Classic. Second-placed Brian Huggett (Wales) finished 3 shots behind Horton (Eng). [Old course, St Pierre Hotel & CC, Chepstow, South Wales].
Europe
Belfast Telegraph
Played as the Belfast Telegraph Irish Seniors Masters. Horton (Eng) beat Renato Campagnoli (Italy) in a playoff. [Malone GC, Dunmurry, Belfast, N. Ireland].
Europe
Shell
Played as the inaugural Shell Scottish Seniors Open (July 2-4). Second-placed Neil Coles (Eng) and Brian Huggett (Wales) finished 5 shots behind Tommy Horton (Eng), who recorded his second European Snr Tour win. [Royal Aberdeen GC, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen].
Awards
Eurpn Snr Tr
Horton (Eng) won the Eurpn Snrs Tr 1993 Order of Merit and associated John Jacobs Trophy, with earnings of £56,935 on the Tour. Brian Huggett (Wales) was second with £43,865; Bobby Verwey (RSA) was third with £25,885.
Europe
Lexus
Played as the inaugural Senior Zurich Pro-Am Lexus Trophy (Oct 7-9). Horton (Eng) beat David Jimenez (USA) and John Fourie (RSA) in a playoff. [GC Breitenloo, Nürensdorf, nr Zurich, Switzerland].
Europe
x
Played as the Collingtree Park Seniors Classic. Second-placed Roger Fidler (Eng) and Brian Huggett (Wales) finished 3 shots behind Horton (Eng). [Collingtree Park GC, Northampton, Northants].
Europe
Forte
Played as the Forte PGA Seniors Championship (Aug 6-9). Tommy Horton (Eng) beat Tony Grubb (Eng) and Christy O'Connor Snr (Ire) in a playoff, to win the first of his 23 European Senior Tour wins. [Royal Dublin GC, Dollymount, Dublin].
Europe
PLM
Played as the PLM Open (June 27-30; Sweden Tour event, not sanctioned as a European Tour event). Second-placed Denis Durnian (Eng) and Anders Starkman (Swe) finished 4 shots behind Horton (Eng). [Ljunghusens GC, Höllviken, nr Malmo, Sweden].
Europe
Dunlop
Played as the Dunlop Masters (Oct 4-7). Second-placed Dale Hayes (RSA), Graham Marsh (Aus) and Brian Waites (Eng) finished 1 shot behind Horton (Eng), who recorded the last of his four European Tour wins. [Old course, St Pierre Hotel & CC, Chepstow, S Wales].
Europe
Uniroyal
Played as the Uniroyal International (June 23-26). Second-placed Martin Foster (Eng) finished 1 shot behind Horton (Eng). [Combination of holes from High & West courses, Moor Park GC, Rickmansworth, Herts].
Europe
Penfold
Played as the Penfold Tournament. Second-placed Peter Tupling (Eng) finished 1 shot behind Horton (Eng). [Hill Barn GC, Worthing, W Sussex].
Europe
Piccadilly
Played as the Piccadilly Medal (April 26-29; medal match play format). Horton (Eng) beat Guy Hunt (Eng) by 1 shot in the 36-hole final (Horton 80, 77; Hunt 80, 78). [Hillside GC, Southport, Merseyside].
Africa
x
Played as the South African Open. Second-placed Terry Westbrook (Zim) finished 3 shots behind Tommy Horton (Eng). Horton became the first overseas player (i.e. not based in South Africa at the time of winning) to claim the SA Open title. [Royal Durban GC, KwaZulu-Natal, RSA].
Europe
Long John Whisky
Played as the Long John Scotch Whisky Match Play Championship (Aug 26-29). Horton (Eng) beat Ronnie Shade (Scot) 3 and 2 in the 18-hole final. [Combination of holes from High & West courses, Moor Park GC, Rickmansworth, Herts].
Europe
R.T.V. Rentals
Played as the R.T.V. International Trophy (Aug 22-25; first year as an individual event; in 1967 played as a team event between the four "home nations"). Second-placed Peter Townsend (Eng) finished 3 shots behind 27-year-old Tommy Horton (Eng), who recorded his first top flight professional win. [Cork GC, Co. Cork. Also known as "Little Island"].
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