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Pat McGowan

b. 1954

Professional golfer

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About Pat McGowan

Born 1954. Pat McGowan is an American golfer.

Patrick Ray McGowan (born November 27, 1954) is an American professional golf instructor and former PGA Tour player.

Early life and amateur career McGowan was born in Grand Forks, North Dakota. He attended Brigham Young University. He played on the golf team with fellow PGA Tour player Mike Reid and graduated in 1977.

McGowan developed his game under the tutelage of Warren McCarty, head pro at Colusa Golf and Country Club, and Karl Tucker, golf coach at Brigham Young University.

Professional career McGowan qualified for the PGA Tour on his first attempt at Fall 1977 PGA Tour Qualifying School, playing at Pinehurst. McGowan was named Golf Digest / Rolex Rookie-of-the-Year in 1978.

One highlight of McGowan's career came in the 1984 Sacramento Classic in the Tournament Players Series during which he defeated Steve Hart in a playoff. Other highlights include a 2nd-place finish in the 1978 Canadian Open to Bruce Lietzke. During the Quad Cities Open in 1982, he was tied for the lead after three rounds with Calvin Peete and Jeff Mitchell. A final round 67 left him tied for second behind Payne Stewart who finished with a 63. McGowan also finished second to Calvin Peete in the 1986 USF&G Classic, while his best finish in a major was 4th in the 1983 PGA Championship at Riviera Country Club.

During more recent years, his game and career have been influenced by Peggy Kirk Bell, his mother-in-law and one of golf's leading instructors, and David Orr, Head Teaching Professional at Pine Needles.

Personal life McGowan met his wife, Bonnie, daughter of Peggy Kirk and late "Bullet" Bell, at Fall 1977 PGA Tour Qualifying School at Pinehurst in North Carolina.

Awards and honors In 1978, McGowan was named Golf Digest / Rolex Rookie-of-the-Year.

Professional wins (2) 1980 Northern California Open 1984 Sacramento Classic

Playoff record Other playoff record (0–1)

Results in major championships Note: McGowen never played in The Open Championship.

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

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Important facts

Birth century
Occupation
Nationality
Education
Brigham Young University
Also known as
Patrick Ray McGowan

People in Pat McGowan's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Pat McGowan's

Frequently asked questions

Who is Pat McGowan?

professional golfer

When was Pat McGowan born?

Pat McGowan was born on 27 November 1954 in Grand Forks.

What is Pat McGowan's occupation?

Pat McGowan is a golfer.

What nationality is Pat McGowan?

Pat McGowan is American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Pat McGowan

· Wikidata: Q7143754

· DBpedia: Pat McGowan

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Pat McGowan. https://biography.guide/pat-mcgowan/

MLA: "Pat McGowan." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/pat-mcgowan/.

Chicago: "Pat McGowan." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/pat-mcgowan/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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