Denis Hutchinson

Denis John Hutchinson (born 14 March 1932) He won the Proudfoot Trophy for this accomplishment. South Africa ultimately finished in fourth place out of five teams. In 1954, he was again medallist at the qualifying stage of the South African Amateur. He played well at the event proper, reaching the finals. In 1958, he was selected to represent South Africa in the Eisenhower Trophy. The event was held in October at St Andrews Golf Club in Scotland.

Professional career As of March 1960, Hutchinson had turned professional. In 1960, Hutchinson played nine events on the PGA Tour, including the Masters and the U.S. Open. He missed the cut in the majors but made the cut in all of the rest of the tournaments. He recorded two top-25s, one of which was a top-10, a T-6 at the Oklahoma City Open Invitational. In early 1961 he won the South African Masters for the first time. Shortly thereafter, Hutchinson successfully defended his South African Masters title. In November, he played in the 1962 Canada Cup with Gary Player. The event was held in Buenos Aires, Argentina. His team was considered among the favorites. In the first round, however, Hutchinson shot a 73 and his team was quickly six shots behind the American team. Ultimately, South Africa finished in a tie for 12th among 34 teams, 33 shots behind the victorious American team.

In mid-1963, Hutchinson returned Europe. In April, he played the Cox Moore tournament at Wollaton Park in England. He shot a 69 (−1) to position himself in second place. He and fellow South African Harold Henning were the only players to break par. He shot over par in the second and third rounds but remained close to the lead. He played in the final group with Englishman Harry Weetman during the final round. Hutchinson shot a 33 on the front nine to get within one of the lead. He ultimately finished at 279 (−1), in a tie for third, three behind champion Brian Huggett. He earned 250 pounds for his efforts. In August, he played the Woodlawn International Invitational, a three-day, four-round event at an American air force base in Germany. He won the tournament, finishing at 271, defeating compatriot Retief Waltman by six shots. In December, Hutchinson played the Transvaal Open. He finished at 278, one behind champion Retief Waltman and one ahead of third-place finisher Gary Player.

In July 1964, he played the two-round Bowmaker Tournament in Sunningdale, England. He shot an opening round 73 to put him several shots behind. However, he shot a "spirited" final round 65 to finish in solo third place. In August, he attempted to defend his Woodlawn International Invitational championship. In the second round, he broke the course record with a 62. He was within one of Roberto De Vicenzo's lead. In the final round, he outplayed de Vicenzo by four to win. He finished at 272; de Vicenzo and Spain's Ángel Miguel finished two shots back. Late in the year Hutchinson was again selected to represent South Africa at the Canada Cup. He was teammates with Gary Player. The event was held in December at Royal Kaanapali Golf Course in Kaanapali, Hawaii. It was expected that South Africa would be among "the leading challengers." In the first round, both he and Player shot 69s and tied the American team of Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus for the lead. However, Hutchinson shot a third round 73 (+1). The South Africans were now nine behind the Americans with one round to go. The United States ultimately defeated South Africa by 14 strokes. Argentina's team, meanwhile, finished at 565 and narrowly defeated South Africa's team for second place.

In the mid-1960s, Hutchinson had success across South Africa and Europe. In February 1965, he played the South African Masters. He finished at 281 and won easily, defeating Cedric Amm by five shots. In the final round, he came home with a 32 to record a 65 and overtake Peter Thomson for the clubhouse lead. However, Coop birdied the final hole to defeat Hutchinson by a shot and ultimately win. Hutchinson tied Bill Large for second and earned roughly 300 pounds for his efforts. In July 1966, Hutchinson played the French Open. He was the joint leader after the second round at 135 (−9). He shot a third round 71 (−1) to maintain the joint lead. In the final round he shot a 68 (−4) to finish at 274 (−14). Spanish professional Ramón Sota had a chance to enter a playoff with Hutchinson but missed a five-foot birdie putt on the last. Hutchinson won by one.

In 1977, he played on the European Tour for the first time. He missed the cut in four of his five events. He never played on the European Tour again. During this era, he was awarded Honorary Life President South African PGA. The following year, he was inducted into the South African Hall of Fame.

In January 2020, it was announced that a challenge match, the Denis Hutchinson Challenge Trophy, would be played at his home course, Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club. The event was in honor of Hutchinson's accomplishments as a golfer. The event would feature ten Sunshine Tour players and ten PGA of South Africa professionals verses 20 GolfRSA amateurs.

In March 2021, he earned life membership on the Sunshine Tour. 1956 Southern Rhodesian Championship (as an amateur) 1961 Dunlop South African Masters 1967 Western Province Open 1971 Rhodesian Dunlop Masters 1964 Woodlawn International

Results in major championships Note: Hutchinson never played in the PGA Championship.

CUT = missed the half-way cut "T" indicates a tie for a place

Source:

Team appearances Amateur Eisenhower Trophy (representing South Africa): 1958 Commonwealth Tournament (representing South Africa): 1954, 1959 (winners)

Professional Canada Cup (representing South Africa): 1962, 1964