This Day in Golf History: February 20

On this date in 1955, Arnold Palmer, playing his inaugural season on the PGA Tour, finished playing in the Texas Open for the first time. He had scores of 69-70-64-67—270 to tie for sixth. However, because he was serving a six-month apprenticeship, he wasn’t allowed to collect approximately $460 in prize money. Also on this date, one of the key outsiders who made an impact on golf majors would have been 85 today. Herb Kohler, the leader of the bathroom-fixture company, was born in 1939. Kohler was the force behind Blackwolf Run and Whistling Straits, Wisconsin courses that have been the sites of a few major championships, including the PGA, U.S. Senior Open and Women's Open. Kohler also had ownership of the Old Course Hotel in St. Andrews, Scotland. He died on September 3, 2022.