About Willie Turnesa
Lived 1914 – 2001 (aged 87). Willie Turnesa was an American golfer.
William P. Turnesa (January 20, 1914 – June 16, 2001) was an American amateur golfer, best known for winning two U.S. Amateur titles and the British Amateur.
Early life He was one of seven famous golfing brothers; Phil (1896-1987), Frank (1898-1949), Joe (1901-1991), Mike (1907-2000), Doug (1909-1972), Jim (1912-1971), and Willie (1914-2001). Willie was the only brother not to turn professional. The family was referred to as a "golf dynasty" in a 2000 New York Times article.
Turnesa was born in Elmsford, New York and lived most of his life there. His older brothers forbade him to turn pro and pooled their money to send him to college.
Golf career Turnesa graduated from Holy Cross in 1938 and won his first U.S. Amateur later that year at Oakmont Country Club.
Turnesa served as president of both the Metropolitan Golf Association and New York State Golf Association.
Death Turnesa died in Sleepy Hollow, New York.
Tournament wins this list is incomplete 1933 Westchester Amateur 1936 Westchester Amateur 1937 Metropolitan Amateur, Westchester Amateur 1938 U.S. Amateur, Westchester Amateur, New York State Amateur 1943 Florida Open 1947 British Amateur 1948 U.S. Amateur
Major championships Amateur wins (3) YearChampionshipWinning scoreRunner-up 1938 U.S. Amateur 8 & 7 Pat Abbott 1947 British Amateur 3 & 2 Dick Chapman 1948 U.S. Amateur 2 & 1 Ray Billows
Results timeline Note: Turnesa never played in the British Open or PGA Championship.
NT = No tournament NYF = Not yet founded CUT = missed the half-way cut R128, R64, R32, R16, QF, SF = Round in which player lost in match play "T" indicates a tie for a place
Source for The Masters: www.masters.com
Source for U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur: USGA Championship Database
Source for 1948 British Amateur: The Glasgow Herald, May 29, 1948, pg. 3.
Source for 1950 British Amateur: The Glasgow Herald, May 25, 1950, pg. 9.
Source for 1951 British Amateur: The Glasgow Herald, May 24, 1951, pg. 7.
U.S. national team appearances Amateur Walker Cup: 1947 (winners), 1949 (winners), 1951 (winners, playing captain)
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Important facts
People in Willie Turnesa's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Willie Turnesa's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Willie Turnesa?
Amateur golfer (1914-2001)
When was Willie Turnesa born?
Willie Turnesa was born on 20 January 1914 in Elmsford.
When did Willie Turnesa die?
Willie Turnesa died on 16 June 2001 in Sleepy Hollow.
What was Willie Turnesa's occupation?
Willie Turnesa was a golfer.
What nationality was Willie Turnesa?
Willie Turnesa was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Willie Turnesa. https://biography.guide/willie-turnesa/
MLA: "Willie Turnesa." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/willie-turnesa/.
Chicago: "Willie Turnesa." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/willie-turnesa/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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