JACK NICKLAUS
“Golfer of the Century” |
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Nicklaus on Ohio State
“Ever since I was a kid growing up, my intention was to go to Ohio State. I had a lot of schools across the country talking to me about playing golf, but I just told them not to bother with it, I was going to Ohio State.
“I remember when I won the Big Ten and (Coach) Bob Kepler came to me and said Jack, the only way we’re going to get this team to the NCAA is for you to spread eagle the field.’ We were playing at Indiana, and I won the Big Ten by about 16 shots. We also won the team title by one shot, which allowed us to go to the NCAA.
“Ohio State’s got a great golf tradition. Jim Brown’s done a great job, and of course he’s been helped by the facilities. It’s probably as fine a college facility as there is in the country. It’s really nice. I am very excited about renovating the Scarlet Course beginning in May 2005.”
Nicklaus by the Numbers
71 PGA Tour Victories, 10 Senior PGA Tour Victories, 14 International Victories, Five Tour related victories, $8,779,864 in career winnings.
Career Highlights
Considered by many to be the greatest player in the history of the sport … Named “Golfer of the Century” by Golf Magazine in 1988 and in 1996 byGolf Monthly … Was named as Sports Writer’s Athlete of the Decade for the 1970’s, 1978 Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year and PGA Player of the Year five times (1967, ’72, ’73, ’75, ’76) … Inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974 … Was the first PGA tour player to reach $2 million (1973), $3 million (1977), $4 million (1983), and $5 million (1988) in career earnings … Shares with Arnold Palmer the record for most consecutive years with at least one PGA Tour victory with 17 from 1962-78 … Made 105 consecutive tournament cuts from 1970-76, second only to Byron Nelson’s 113 … Winner of six Masters (1963, ’65, ’66, ’72, ’75, ’86), five PGA Championships (1963, ’71, ’73, ’75, ’80), four U.S. Opens (1962, ’67, ’72, ’80), and three British Opens (1966, ’70, ’78) … Became oldest player to win Masters (age 46) in 1986 … Led PGA Tour in earnings eight times (1964, ’65, ’67, ’71, ’72, ’73, ’75, ’76) … First professional victory came in 1962 at the U.S. Open at Oakmont C.C. where he defeated Arnold Palmer in an 18 hole playoff … Outstanding amateur record includes two U.S. Amateur titles in 1959 and 1961 … 1961 NCAA Champion while at Ohio State.
Personal
One of golf’s driving forces off the course … Founder and host of the Memorial Tournament … One of the world’s leading golf course designers through his company, Golden Bear International, a diversified, international brand name golf products and services company … A 1977 Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame Inductee.
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TOM WEISKOPF
Letterwinner, 1962 |
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Weiskopf on Ohio State
“Unquestionably, the best years of my life were those spent in Columbus at Ohio State. Those years gave me the confidence to become successful.
“The college player needs not only a fine course for practice and play and strong competition, but also a good coach who is capable of bringing out the character and potential in his players. Many Ohio State players had the experience to know and play for Bob Kepler. He has died, but not the tradition he created and passed on to his two successors, the latest one being one of my best friends, Jim Brown.
“Compare your options, not just the golf program, but more importantly the academics. Consider the tradition and reputation, and I think you’ll see why so many of us choose to go to Ohio State.”
Weiskopf by the Numbers
15 PGA Tour Victories, four Senior PGA Tour Victory … three International Victories … $4,079,542 in career winnings.
Career Highlights
Joined the PGA Tour in 1965, and the Senior Tour in 1992 … Had his best year in 1973 when in an eight-week span he won five tournament titles…Was voted Player of the Year in several publications that year …Won the 1973 British Open … 1973 South African PGA Tour Champion … Won the 1973 World Series of Golf … A member of the 1973 and 1975 United States Ryder Cup teams…Was the only man ever to post four rounds in the 60s at Congressional C.C. in 1995 to claim the U.S. Senior Open over Buckeye counterpart Jack Nicklaus…A four-time runner-up at the Masters and U.S. Open… Competed in only one event on the Senior Tour in 2000… Has turned his attention to his golf course design business, which he has been involved in since 1983.
Personal
Born on Nov. 9, 1942, in Massilon, Ohio…Became actively involved in golf course architecture in 1983 and completed 23 courses with Jay Morrish, including Double Eagle Golf Club in Columbus, before starting his own design firm in 1994…Also enjoys hunting and fishing…A 1985 Ohio State Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee.
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JOHN COOK
Letterwinner, 1977-79 |
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Cook on Ohio State
“Growing up in Southern California, one might think that my decision to go to Ohio State was questionable at best. I had played golf in California all my life and felt that, if I wanted to further develop my skills as a golfer, I had to learn to play in all kinds of conditions.
“Another reason I chose Ohio State was the choice of golf courses available to the team. With the athletic and scholastic tradition at Ohio State, everything I wanted in a school was there.
“Last, but not least, Coach Brown was not just a coach, but a friend who was interested in his players. He was very concerned that everyone reach his potential, not only in golf, but also in academics. His interest and concern was very important to me.”
Cook by the Numbers
10 PGA Tour Victories, Two International Victories, $11,084,705 in career winnings.
Career Highlights
Had three top ten finishes in 2000… He also won the Fred Meyer Challenge with Mark O’Meara for the second time… Finished second in 1992 British Open, tied for second in 1992 PGA Championship, fifth in 1994 U.S. Open, and tied for fourth in 1994 PGA Championship… Surpassed $1 million in season earnings in 1992 when he won three times and again in 1998… Member of 1979 Ohio State NCAA Championship Team…Won the 1978 U.S. Amateur and lost in the finals to Mark O’Meara in 1979…A member of the 1993 United States Ryder Cup team…Won the 1981 Bing Crosby on just his second year as a professional…Won the World Junior in 1974.
Personal
Born in Ohio but grew up in Southern California…Persuaded by Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf to attend Ohio State…Made a cameo appearance in the movie Tin Cup, starring Kevin Costner…A 1986 Ohio State Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee.
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JOEY SINDELAR
Letterwinner, 1978-81 |
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Sindelar on Ohio State
“My reasons for attending Ohio State were many. I had set forth several criteria I felt necessary for my college choice. These were, number one, a strong competitive golf program from coaching to scheduling. Number two, a fine facility, Ohio State is the best. And number three, a high quality university academically. Ohio State more than fulfilled all these requirements.
“I found the quality people that associated themselves with this program in the past and that Coach Brown continued to surround himself with, to be an added bonus. The friendships (Tom Weiskopf, John Cook, Chris Perry, etc.) and the memories (1979 NCAA Championship and Big Ten Championship) will be with me forever.
“If I had to make the decision again, my choice would remain the same, without question.”
Sindelar by the Numbers
Six PGA Tour Victories, $7,451,769 in career winnings.
Career Highlights
Tied for fifth at the Bellsouth Classic and the Buick Classic for his two top ten finishes in 2000 …Also finished 14th on the money list in 2000…His first PGA Tour victory came at the 1985 Greater Greensboro Open… He posted 10 Top-10 finishes, including two victories, two seconds, and one third in 1988…$813,732 placed him third on the money list…In 1998, he had his best money list finish since 1993 and the $466,797 was the most money he won in one season since 1988…Was a three-time All-American at Ohio State and a member of the 1979 NCAA Championship team.
Personal
A 1992 inductee into The Ohio State University Athletic Hall of Fame.
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CHRIS PERRY
Letterwinner, 1981-84 |
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Perry on Ohio State
“In recalling why I chose Ohio State over the other universities, I found that it was a relatively simple decision. Ohio State has a tremendous tradition in producing great players over the years. This is due in part to the fact that Ohio State has its own golf course and practice facilities. Not only is Ohio State a Big Ten power, but also is consistently ranked high on the national level.
“Ohio State has many great assets, the most important being a very dedicated and determined coach in Coach Brown. It also has fine support from its athletic department that permits the team to travel and play the best competition.
“In playing golf at Ohio State for four years, you not only will experience competitive golf at the highest level, but also will receive a fine college education. My playing golf for Ohio State was very exciting and fun. It was a privilege and honor.”
Perry by the Numbers
$9,210,052 in career winnings. Had his first career win at the 1998 B.C. Open.
Career Highlights
Finished in the top ten in seven tournaments in 2000…Had his best finish at the Masters (T-14) in three appearances… Also finished T-8 at the Tour Championships in 2000…Had a breakthrough year in 1999 finishing fifth on the money list with $2,145,707…Finished tied for second in the 1987 Kemper Open, 1990 Cannon Greater Hartford Open and 1997 B.C. Open, his best-ever finishes before winning the latter in 1998…Finished in the money in 15 out of 20 tournaments in 1994…Earned Player of the Year honors on the NIKE Tour in 1994…Was runner-up at the 1984 U.S. Amateur…Three-time All-American at Ohio State.
Personal
Resides in Powell, Ohio, just outside of Columbus…Is an avid snow skier and OSU football fan…A 1993 Ohio State Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee…His father, Jim, was a pitcher for four major league baseball teams and his uncle, Gaylord, is a Hall of Fame pitcher.
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TED TRYBA
Letterwinner, 1986-89 |
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Tryba on Ohio State
“I think that the best things about the Ohio State golf program are the great tradition and the fact that it afforded me every opportunity to succeed on and off the golf course. Ohio State has great facilities, a great schedule, great coaching, and is a first class university. If I had to choose a school all over again, I would still choose Ohio State.”
Tryba by the Numbers
Two PGA Tour Victories, Three NIKE Tour Victories, $5,536,800 in career winnings.
Career Highlights
Played in 17 consecutive tournaments, including five from 1999 and the first 12 of 2000…Won the 1999 FedEx St. Jude Classic for second career PGA Tour title and surpassed $1 million in season earnings …Broke through with first PGA Tour title at 1995 Anheuser-Busch Golf Classic…Had back-to-back Top-three finishes on 8/1/99 and 8/8/99 as he tied for third at the Canon Greater Hartford Open and tied for second at the Buick Open…Tied for second at 1995 Walt Disney World/Oldsmobile Classic…Played on the NIKE Tour from 1990-92 and won three tournaments…First player in Nike Tour history to win a tournament in three consecutive years. . .One of the busiest players on the Tour in 1996, competing in 36 tournaments…Former Pennsylvania State High School Champion.
Personal
Knew he wanted to be a professional golfer at the age of 7…In an extremely unusual birthday ritual, he would hit plastic golf balls out of his grandfather’s mouth with a plastic club.
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CHRIS SMITH
Letterwinner, 1988-91 |
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Smith on Ohio State
“My choice to attend Ohio State was very simple. I wanted a school that offered me a great opportunity to take my game to the highest level, receive a fine education, have a great coach, play a competitive schedule, and have a tough course to play. The quality of people surrounding the athletic department, and the department’s commitment to golf is second to none. Ohio State was great for me, and I’m sure that it will be for you too.”
Smith by the Numbers
Played in 16 NIKE Tour events in 1997, earning $3,264,978 in career winnings. Has now totaled five victories. He is currently on the PGA Tour.
Career Highlights
Captured the 2002 Buick Open…Had his best finish (third) on the PGA Tour in the 2001 BellSouth Classic…Competed in 16 NIKE Tour events in 1997 and was the top money winner, at one point winning three consecutive events…This feat earned him an immediate invitation to play on the PGA Tour…Earned PGA Tour card in 1996 with a seventh-place finish on the 1995 NIKE Tour money list…Won two NIKE Tour events in a three week span during 1995, taking the Gateway Classic and the Wichita Open…1991 All-America selection at Ohio State, where he was Big Ten individual champion…Indiana State Amateur Champion in 1990.
Personal
Was an All-District quarterback in high school…Close friend of former St. Louis Cardinals catcher Tom Pagnozzi…A native of Peru, Ind., he plays out of Rock Hollow…A 2000 OSU Athlete Hall of Fame Inductee.
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