Who's who: Walter Burkemo

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Who's who: Walter Burkemo

  • Name:

    Walter E. Burkemo
  • Country:

    USA
  • Lived:

    [1918-1986]. Born on Oct 9, 1918 in Detroit, Michigan. Died on Oct 8, 1986 in Fenton, Michigan (aged 67).
  • Original/Home Club:

    Lochmoor CC, Detroit.
  • Occupation:

    Club pro and professional golfer; World War II soldier.
  • Turned Pro:

    c.1938

Roll of Honour

MAJORS (1): US PGA Championship (1953). Ryder Cup player (1953). Total professional wins (8), including PGA Tour wins (2). As a World War II infantryman he won two Purple Hearts, was seriously wounded twice, and fought at The Battle of the Bulge.

Did you know?

Burkemo was the youngest of 13 children of Norwegian immigrants who settled in Detroit, Michigan. Like many of his generation, Burkemo lost several of his potentially best years as a professional golfer to military service in World War II.

Top tournaments won by Walter Burkemo

1957
America
Mayfair CC
269 (-11)
$2,000
Mayfair Inn

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Burkemo, Walter

Venue

Mayfair CC

Score

269 (-11)

Prize money

$2,000

Title sponsor

Mayfair Inn

Played as the Sanford Open (Dec 12-15). Second-placed Jay Hebert (USA) and Ed "Porky" Oliver (USA) finished 1 shot behind 39-year-old Walter Burkemo (USA), who recorded his first regular PGA Tour win in a strokeplay event. [Mayfair CC, Sanford, Florida].

1953
Majors
Birmingham CC, MI
2 & 1
$5,000
PGA of America

Category

Majors

Winner (holder)

Burkemo, Walter

Venue

Birmingham CC, MI

Score

2 & 1

Prize money

$5,000

Title sponsor

PGA of America

The US PGA Championship (35th) (July 1-7). Local hero Burkemo (USA) beat Felice Torza (USA) 2 and 1 in the 36-hole final, to win his first and only major championship title. [Birmingham CC, Birmingham, nr Detroit, Michigan].

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Tournaments

124th US Open: the No.2 Course at Pinehurst once again plays host to this most illustrious championship (June 13-16). Wyndham Clark defends his title, having won at Los Angeles CC in 2023.

79th Women’s US Open: the second women’s major championship of the season gets underway at Lancaster CC in Pennsylvania. It’s the second time the championship has been held here.
(May 30-June 2).

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Marco Simone Golf & Country Club

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.

Prince's Golf Club, Kent (UK)

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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