Billy Casper: Golf
William Earl Casper, Jr. “Billy Casper”, (June 24, 1931 – February 7, 2015) was an American professional golfer who won an astonishing 51 PGA tours and three major championships from the 1950s until the 1970s. He spent only one semester at the University of Notre Dame with a golf scholarship and instead of college, he learned golf by caddying. During his later years, he successfully developed businesses in golf course design and management of golf facilities.
Greatest Sporting Achievements
Billy Casper ranked seventh all-time in career Tour wins with 51 from 1956 to 1975. He won three major championships representing the US on a previous-record eight Ryder Cup teams, hold the US record for career Ryder Cup points won. He was the Ryder Cup captain in 1979, became the PGA Player of the Year twice (1966, 1970), won five Vardon Trophy awards for the lowest seasonal scoring average on the Tour.
In 1978, he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. When Casper reached 50 years old, he played the Senior PGA Tour, winning until 1989.
Why Was He So Good?
He was valued for his astonishing putting and short-game skills. He was a bigger strategist, conquering distance difficulties in opposition to longer-hitting competitors with moxie, creative shot-making and clever golf-course management skills. Billy Casper worked on his own self-contained style, relied on solid skill, willpower, focus and determination.
What You May Not Know
- When he was younger, he idolized Ben Hogan and later was fortunate enough to play with on the US PGA Tour during Casper’s first year as a pro PGA Tour winner until Hogan’s last year as a PGA Tour winner.
- Billy and his wife converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, mostly known as Mormonism, in the 60s.
- His management company, Billy Casper Golf, is the second-largest manager of US golf courses with over 140 golf facilities as of 2011.
- He and his wife have eleven children – six were adopted.
- His father taught him golf when he was only 5 years old.
- Casper was the first PGA Tour player to collect more than $200,000 in a single season.
Was he a legend?
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Related Pages
- More legendary Golf players
- Athlete Database home
- About the sport of Golf
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