Charles Owens

Charles Owens (February 22, 1932 – September 7, 2017) was an American professional golfer who has played on the PGA Tour and the Senior PGA Tour.

Early life and amateur career In 1932, Owens was born in Winter Haven, Florida. He played football at Florida A&M University and served in the U.S. Army. He suffered injuries to both knees and his left ankle during a parachute jump at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in 1952 which left him handicapped.

Professional career In 1967, Owens turned professional. He joined the PGA Tour in 1970. During his seven years on the Tour, he won the 1971 Kemper Asheville Open, a "satellite" PGA Tour event. Owens played with a limp and played all golf shots cross-handed. The biggest year of his professional career came on the Senior PGA Tour in 1986, when he won twice in a three tournament span, and finished eighth on the money list with $207,813.

Owens was allowed to use a cart while competing in most instances due to his disability, and once staged a protest at the 1987 U.S. Senior Open against the USGA for its ban on carts at that event. which he used to overcome the yips.

Personal life Owens formerly lived in Tampa, Florida and resided in Winter Haven until his death on September 7, 2017.

Awards and honors

In 1987, Owens was honored with the Ben Hogan Award. In 1987, he was inducted into the Florida Sports Hall of Fame. In 2007, Owens was inducted into the and the African American Golfers Hall of Fame.

Professional wins (4) Regular career wins (2) 1971 Kemper Asheville Open (a PGA Tour "satellite" event) 1974 Florida Open

Senior PGA Tour wins (2)

Senior PGA Tour playoff record (1–0)