Ben Crenshaw

Ben Crenshaw won his first tournament in the fourth grade with a score of 96. At fifteen, he won the state junior tournament and in 1968 he took his first national title at the Jaycees Junior Championship. Throughout college Crenshaw’s sole concentration was on golf. However, he hesitated to join the professional tour before finishing his studies because he wanted a college degree in case his golfing skills failed him. After clinching his third NCAA title in 1973, and winning ten other championships that year, Crenshaw could no longer resist the temptation to turn pro. In August of 1973, he officially qualified as a PGA professional.

Few players in the history of golf have made a more auspicious debut than Ben Crenshaw. In just six weeks on the tour, he captured $79,749 in prize money, including winning the very first PGA Tour event he entered, the San Antonio-Texas Open. Crenshaw’s seemingly effortless game and easy-going manner soon garnered him the respect of the other pros and over the years earned him the nickname “Gentle Ben.” In 1991, Crenshaw received the Bob Jones Award, the highest honor the United States Golf Association bestows upon its members. The award was especially meaningful for Crenshaw since Bobby Jones had always been his idol and model in the game. Crenshaw will always be remembered for his emotional victory in the 1995 Masters Tournament. With the passing of his teacher and close friend, Harvey Penick, during Masters week, Crenshaw returned to Augusta and somehow won his second Masters..and secured his place in golf history. In late 1997, Crenshaw was honored by the PGA of America by being named Captain of the 1999 American Ryder Cup Team. Crenshaw and the American team went on to an emotional victory in the 1999 Ryder Cup.

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