Today is a celebration of the moon shot: The one Alan Shepard hit with a makeshift 6-iron on the moon on this date in 1971 as part of the Apollo 14 space mission, and the incredible moon-shot artist, Babe Ruth, who was born on this date in 1895. The former longtime holder of the home-run record with 714 had 11 seasons of hitting 40 or more homers in his career, and in keeping with a golf theme, he was an avid golfer.
Playoffs are a common event on the PGA Tour. On this date in 1966, Arnold Palmer shot his best score of the Bob Hope Desert Classic that year, a 67, in the fourth round, then lost a playoff the next day when he and Doug Sanders tied at 349. Sanders won on the first hole of a sudden-death playoff.
The great Byron Nelson was born on this date in 1912, the same year Ben Hogan and Sam Snead were born. Nelson died on September 26, 2006. To read more about the man they called Lord Byron for his outstanding demeanor and character, go to worldgolfhalloffame.org/byron-nelson/.
Two-time U.S. Open winner Retief Goosen turns 53 today. He is recovering from a health issue and had a solid tournament at the Mitsubishi Electric senior eventn last month. Also born on this date was the World Golf Hall of Famer Carol Mann, born in Buffalo in 1941 and passed away in 2018.
One of the more horrific days in golf history took place on this date in 1949 when Ben Hogan was nearly killed in a car-bus crash on a highway near Van Horn in west Texas, in morning fog. Hogan and wife Valerie's car was struck by an oncoming bus that was trying to pass another vehicle. Hogan's heroic move to throw himself in front of his wife saved his life as the impact forced the car's steering column to run through the driver's seat. Incredibly, a year later, Hogan returned to golf and nearly won the Los Angeles Open in his first tournament.
This is the date that's noted in 1922 that the USGA established the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship. The first event was held in July 1922 at Ottawa Park Golf Course in Toledo, Ohio, won by Edmund R. Held. The event was discontinued after the 2014 playing.
The Waste Management Phoenix Open is on the PGA Tour schedule February 10-13. On this date in 1957, the first round of the Phoenix Open at Arizona Country Club was held, with Arnold Palmer shooting a four-under-par 66 to share the lead with Billy Maxwell. The tournament was eventually won by Billy Casper at 271; Arnie tied for fifth with scores of 66-70-70-71—277 and earned $787.50.
Today marks what would have been Payne Stewart's 65th birthday. The three-time major champion, whose life was cut short when his private jet malfunctioned in flight and crashed on Oct. 25, 1999, is a member of the World Golf, Missouri Sports, and PGA of America halls of fame.
Today marks the 99th birthday of two-time major champion and World Golf Hall of Fame member Jack Burke Jr. , the oldest living past major champion winner. The oldest-living woman major champion is Betsy Rawls, who will be 94 in May.
On this date in 2007, Tiger Woods was in dominate form by winning the Farmers Insurance Open for his seventh consecutive PGA Tour victory, which is second for longest tour winning streak behind Byron Nelson’s 11 in 1945.
On this date in 1967, Arnold Palmer shot a 64 at Rancho Municipal, one of his best scores ever, in the second round of the Los Angles Open. He shot 67 and 68 the next two rounds to win and collect the $20,000 first-place prize money.
Three-time Open Championship winner Sir Henry Cotton was born on this date in 1907. The English great was a jack of all trades; he was an author, commentator, course designer and teacher.
On this date in 1997, we hearken back to Tiger Woods’ youthful burst into stardom when he made a hole-in-one in grand style in front of the boisterous 16th hole crowd in Round 3 of the Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale.
On this date in 1999, David Duval joined Al Geiberger and Chip Beck, at the time, as the only shooters of a 59 in PGA Tour history. He did it on PGA West’s Palmer Private Course in the final round on his way to winning the Bob Hope tournament.
On this date in 2011, the first player from Venezuela, Jhonattan Vegas, to win on the PGA Tour won the Bob Hope Classic.
On this date in 1995, Phil Mickelson, who presently is second from the end at The American Express event in California, won the Tucson Open, thus becoming the first player to win the same tour event while an amateur and a professional.
The golfer regarded as the GOAT celebrates a birthday today. Jack Nicklaus is 82 years young, and still very much active in various businesses, design work and the occasional minor competition.
The 1939 Titleholders Championship of Women's Golf ended on this date at Augusta Country Club with Minnesota’s Patty Berg winning for the third straight time, two shots up on Dorothy Kirby.
Ohioan John Cook had to use magic to get a victory on this date in 1992. He holed out twice in a five-way playoff to win the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, winning over Rick Fehr, Tom Kite, Mark O’Meara and Gene Sauers, who were all tied at 336.
On this date in 1997, comedian and film star Bob Hope was presented the PGA Tour’s Humanitarian Award during the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic week. His celebrity pro-am had begun in 1960.