Marvin (Vinny) Giles was born on this date in 1943 in Lynchburg, Virginia, so he’s celebrating the big 8-0. He was a well-decorated career amateur, three-time All-American at Georgia, who won the U.S. Amateur and Amateur Championship (British) in the 1970s. He became a successful sports agent with his Pros Inc. agency.
On this date in 1993, Mark Brooks won the Pebble Beach Invitational by five shots. Three years later Brooks won the PGA Championship.
On this date in 1948, Ben Hogan shot a 68 to trail leader Jack Harden by one in the first round of the Los Angeles Open at Riviera Country Club. Hogan would go on to win the event for the second year in a row.
From CliffSchrock.com to its readers:
Happy New Year! May 2023 bring all things good in golf and life to you.
My apologies, but as a Packers fan, I pause from golf history to note that on today’s date in 1967, the famous Ice Bowl was played at Green Bay. The Packers defeated Dallas, 21-17, in temperature of 13 below zero in the NFL Championship game, which allowed Green Bay to play in Super Bowl II.
On this date in 1975, Tiger Woods was born in California. At 47, he is still trying to pass Sam Snead in career PGA Tour victories (tied at 82) and Jack Nicklaus in major championships (15 to 18), but severe injuries in recent years is making that problematic.
The great golf course architect Pete Dye, the creator of the bulkhead tandem of bunkers and greens, was born on this date in 1925. The World Golf Hall of Fame member died nearly three years ago, January 9, 2020.
World Golf Hall of Fame member Hubert Green was born on this date in 1946 in Birmingham, Alabama. He won 19 PGA Tour events, including two majors. He died on June 19, 2018, after a long struggle with throat cancer.
Four-time PGA Tour winner Charley Hoffman was born on this date in 1976 in San Diego. This was also the birthdate of 1965 PGA champion and all-time great TV analyst Dave Marr. He was born in 1933, passed away in 1997 at age 63.
On this date in 1993, Raymond Floyd, Jack Nicklaus and Chi Chi Rodriguez, representing the Senior PGA Tour, won the Wendy's 3-Tour Challenge in the televised final day on ABC. The event actually played out on October 2 and 3 at Colleton River Plantation in Hilton Head, South Carolina, but was replayed on December 25 and 26. The seniors defeated the LPGA Tour team of Nancy Lopez, Lauri Merten and Patty Sheehen and the PGA Tour team of Lee Janzen, Greg Norman and Paul Azinger.
Until something more monumental occurs, this date in golf history will forever by remembered for the death of Young Tom Morris, died on Christmas Day 1875 at just age 24. A Scottish professional, he won the Open Championship four times and is viewed as one of the first identified prodigies in golf history. After he won three titles in a row from 1868-1870, the championship belt was retired.
On this date in 1861, John Ball, Jr. was born in Hoylake of the UK. Ball was one of the most prolific amateur champions ever, winning the Amateur Championship eight times and the Open Championship once. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1977.
Herman Barron was born on this date in 1909; he was a member of the 1947 Ryder Cup team for the U.S. and won the 1963 Senior PGA. Also born on this date, in 1946, former Golf Digest Schools instructor and former CBS golf announcer Peter Kostis.
On this date in 1894, the United States Golf Association was formed in New York. The USGA would begin its championships the following year, the first U.S. Open being held at Newport Country Club in Rhode Island.
On this date in 1985, Alice Miller and the laconic one, Don January, won the Mazda Champions at 17 under par, beating Pat Bradley and Lee Elder in a playoff at Tryall Golf Club in Jamaica.
On this date in 1987, Nancy Lopez and Miller Barber finished at 12 under par to win the Mazda Golf Champions event in Jamaica at the Tryall Golf and Beach Club. They finished three shots ahead of Colleen Walker and Arnold Palmer.
Larry Mize won the 1993 Johnnie Walker World Championship by a whopping 10 strokes on this date. It was played at Tryall Golf Club.
On this date in 1994, Greg Norman, Fred Couples and Paul Azinger from the PGA Tour won the Wendy's 3-Tour Golf Challenge at the Jack Nicklaus Resort Course at PGA West in La Quinta, California. They had a final total of 10 under par.
This time of year is known as the Silly Season because of the unusual formats you’d see in pro events. On this date in 1989, it was a mixed team event. Mike Hill and Patti Rizzo shot 25 under par and won the Mazda Champions event at the Hyatt Dorado Beach in Puerto Rico. A typical Silly Season event is being held this weekend with the PNC Championship with generational teams competing.
On this date in 1979, Trevor Immelman was born in Cape Town, South Africa. He has two PGA Tour victories, including the 2008 Masters.