Billy Casper

William Earl Casper Jr. (June 24, 1931 – February 7, 2015) was an American professional golfer. He was one of the most prolific tournament winners on the PGA Tour from the mid-1950s to the mid-1970s.

In his youth, Casper started as a caddie and emerged from the junior golf hotbed of San Diego, where golf could be played year-round, to rank seventh all-time in career Tour wins with 51, across 20 years between 1956 and 1975. Fellow San Diegan great Gene Littler was a friend and rival from teenager to senior. Casper won three major championships, represented the United States on a then-record eight Ryder Cup teams, and holds the U.S. record for career Ryder Cup points won. After reaching age 50, Casper regularly played the Senior PGA Tour and was a winner there until 1989. In his later years, Casper successfully developed businesses in golf course design and management of golf facilities.

Casper served as Ryder Cup captain in 1979, was twice PGA Player of the Year (1966 and 1970), was twice the leading money winner, and won five Vardon Trophy awards for the lowest seasonal scoring average on the Tour.

Respected for his putting and short-game skill, Casper overcame his distance disadvantages against longer-hitting competitors such as Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus with creative shot-making, and golf-course management abilities. Casper developed his style by relying on solid technique, determination, concentration, and perseverance.

He converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1966. Casper was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1978.

Early life Casper was born in San Diego, California. He grew up in Chula Vista, California. Casper caddied during his youth at San Diego Country Club to earn money for golf.

Amateur career Casper spent one semester at the University of Notre Dame on a golf scholarship, after graduating from high school. He returned to San Diego to marry his wife Shirley in 1952. Casper competed frequently as an amateur against fellow San Diegan Gene Littler. After graduating from Notre Dame, he turned professional in 1954.

Professional career

Casper had 51 PGA Tour wins in his career, with his first coming in 1956. This total places him seventh on the all-time list. His victories helped him finish third in McCormack's World Golf Rankings in 1968, 1969, and 1970, the first three years they were published. He won three major championships: the 1959 and 1966 U.S. Opens, and the 1970 Masters Tournament.

He was the PGA Tour Money Winner in 1966 and 1968. He was PGA Player of the Year in 1966 and 1970. Casper won the Vardon Trophy for lowest scoring average five times: 1960, 1963, 1965, 1966, and 1968.

Casper was a member of the United States team in the Ryder Cup eight times: 1961, 1963, 1965, 1967, 1969, 1971, 1973, 1975, and a non-playing captain in 1979. Casper has scored the most points in the Ryder Cup by an American player.

Casper won at least one PGA Tour event for 16 straight seasons, from 1956 to 1971, the third-longest streak, trailing only Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, who each won on Tour in 17 straight years.

On the senior circuit, Casper earned nine Senior PGA Tour (now the Champions Tour) wins from 1982 to 1989, including two senior majors.

Legacy Between 1964 and 1970, Casper won 27 tournaments on the PGA Tour, two more than Jack Nicklaus and six more than Arnold Palmer and Gary Player combined, during that period.

Casper's 20-year period of winning on the PGA Tour—between 1956 and 1975—was an era of extraordinary growth in tournament purses, television coverage, and depth of competition. Casper faced legends such as Palmer, Nicklaus, Sam Snead, Cary Middlecoff, Gary Player, and Lee Trevino when they were all at or near their peaks.

Casper was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1978. In 2000, he was ranked as the 15th greatest golfer of all time by Golf Digest magazine.

Casper's grandson, Mason Casper, played for the Utah Valley University golf team. Mason qualified for NCAA post-season play in 2012.

Personal life Casper was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, joining in early 1966 at age 34, at the height of his playing career.

Casper died at age 83 in 2015 of a heart attack at his home in Springville, Utah. He was survived by his wife of more than 60 years, Shirley Franklin Casper, 11 children, six of whom are adopted, 71 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.

Other ventures Golf course design and management

After his professional career, Casper was a designer for many golf courses, such as The Highlands, The Palm, and Eagle Crest in Sun City Summerlin, Nevada. He also designed the Hidden Oaks Golf Course, 9 holes of a beloved Par 3 in a residential neighborhood just north of Santa Barbara, CA. As of 2017. Chula Vista Golf Course, designed by Billy Casper, is a par 73 with three par 5's on the front nine and two on the back. Billy Casper Golf (BCG) is one of the largest privately owned golf course management companies in the United States, with roughly 150 owned or managed courses in their portfolio. Billy Casper Golf annually hosts the "World's Largest Golf Outing" – a national golf outing fundraiser benefiting military charities.

Acting Casper had a cameo appearance in the movie, Now You See Him, Now You Don't.

Billy's Kids Casper was active in charitable work for children and hosted fundraisers, including an annual tournament at San Diego Country Club for "Billy's Kids".

Awards and honors

In 1978, Casper was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame In 2000, he was ranked as the 15th greatest golfer of all time by Golf Digest magazine

European Tour wins (1)

Latin American wins (4)

Other wins (6)

Senior PGA Tour wins (9) LegendSenior PGA Tour major championships (2)Other Senior PGA Tour (7)

Senior PGA Tour playoff record (2–3)

Other senior wins (1) 1984 Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf (with Gay Brewer)

Major championships Wins (3) YearChampionship54 holesWinning scoreMarginRunner-up 1959 U.S. Open 3 shot lead −2 (71-68-69-74=282) 1 stroke Bob Rosburg 1966 U.S. Open (2)3 shot deficit −2 (69-68-73-68=278) Playoff 1 Arnold Palmer 1970 Masters Tournament 1 shot lead −9 (72-68-68-71=279) Playoff 2 Gene Littler 1 Defeated Palmer in an 18-hole playoff: Casper 69 (−1), Palmer 73 (+3). 2 Defeated Littler in an 18-hole playoff: Casper 69 (−3), Littler 74 (+2).

Results timeline

CUT = missed the half-way cut WD = withdrew "T" = tied

Summary Most consecutive cuts made – 27 (1962 PGA – 1971 Masters) Longest streak of top-10s – 4 (twice)

Champions Tour major championships Wins (2) YearChampionshipWinning scoreMarginRunner-up 1983 United States Senior Open +4 (73-69-73-73=288) Playoff1 Rod Funseth 1988 Mazda Senior Tournament Players Championship −10 (69-68-74-67=278) 2 strokes Al Geiberger 1 The 18-hole playoff finished in a tie, Casper (75) to Funseth (75), Casper won with a birdie on the first sudden-death hole.

U.S. national team appearances Professional Ryder Cup: 1961 (winners), 1963 (winners), 1965 (winners), 1967 (winners), 1969 (winners), 1971 (winners), 1973 (winners), 1975 (winners), 1979 (winners, non-playing captain)