Tag: Don January

Remembering those we lost in the world of golf in 2023

The world of golf indeed lost some true legends in 2023.

A caddie who expertly worked the grill on the back of his truck.

An Augusta National Golf Club caddie who became the unofficial historian for Masters loopers.

The longtime starter at the British Open who famously never took a bathroom break between the first tee time and the last.

The winner of the first-ever PGA Tour Champions event.

A four-time U.S. Women’s Open champion.

The world of golf indeed lost some true legends in 2023. From players to caddies, course designers to teachers, to many others who contributed their life’s work to the game.

Here’s a closer look at those the world of golf goodbye to this year.

Photos: Don January, two-time member of U.S. Ryder Cup team, 1967 PGA Championship winner

January won 22 times on the PGA Tour Champions, tied for seventh most on that circuit.

In 1961, Don January coughed up a four-shot lead with just three holes left and ended up in a playoff with Jerry Barber in the PGA Championship. January came up short that day but six years later, he tracked down Don Massengale to force a playoff at Columbine Country Club in Denver.

This time, January would not be denied a PGA Championship title, as he would prevail the next day in an 18-hole playoff for his lone major championship.

January won 10 times in all on the PGA Tour, and another 22 times after he turned 50, tying for seventh most on the senior circuit.

January passed away on Sunday, May 7, 2023.

Don January, the 1967 PGA Championship winner, dies at age 93

January notably won the first-ever PGA Tour Champions event in 1980.

Don January, winner of the 1967 PGA Championship and a two-time member of the U.S. Ryder Cup team, died Sunday at age 93, according to the PGA Tour.

January won 10 times on the PGA Tour. In 1976, he won the Vardon Trophy for low scoring average at the age of 46.

Born in Plainview, Texas, on Nov. 20, 1929, he led the North Texas State golf team to four straight NCAA titles. Given the nickname “Bones,” January won his 1963 PGA in an 18-hole playoff at Columbine Country Club in Denver.

He made 526 starts on the PGA Tour and once he turned 50, he made another 333 starts on the PGA Tour Champions, winning 22 times on the senior circuit.

PHOTOS: Don January through the years

He banked $3,220,478 on the Champions tour, earning three times what he did on the PGA Tour. January notably won the first-ever Champions event, the 1980 Atlantic City Senior International.

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