Who's who: Ben Crenshaw

  • Torrey Pines - South course, host of the Farmers Insurance Open
  • Prince's GC, England
  • Torrey Pines - South course, host of the Farmers Insurance Open
  • Terras da Comporta, Dunas
  • Monte Rei G&CC
  • Marco Simone GC (Italy); host of the Ryder Cup 2023
  • Pebble Beach host of the US Open; US Women's Open; Pebble Beach Pro-Am
  • Marco Simone GC

Who's who: Ben Crenshaw

  • Name:

    Ben Daniel Crenshaw
  • Country:

    USA
  • Born:

    Jan 11, 1952 in Austin, Texas.
  • Original/Home Club:

    Austin, Texas
  • Occupation:

    Professional golfer; golf course designer
  • Turned Pro:

    1973
  • Website:

    https://www.bencrenshaw.com

Roll of Honour

MAJORS (2): Masters Tournament (1984, '95). Ryder Cup player (1981, '83, '87, '95); Ryder Cup captain (1999). Total professional wins (30), including PGA Tour (19). Other wins included the 1976 Irish Open. World Golf Hall of Fame (inducted in 2002). Old Tom Morris Award (1997, GCSAA). Don A. Rossi Award (2019, GCBAA).

Golf course design

In 1986, midway through his PGA Tour playing career, Ben Crenshaw teamed up with Bill Coore (who initially worked for Pete Dye & Assocs) to form one of the best known golf course design teams of the modern era. The most renowned Coore-Crenshaw designs include (but are not limited to):

UNITED STATES & CANADA:
Austin GC, TX (2001) / Bandon Dunes, OR (2005, Trails course; 2012, Preserve course; 2020, Sheep Ranch course) / Barton Creek, TX (1991, Coore-Crenshaw Cliffside course) / Big Cedar, MO (2019, Ozarks Natl course) / Brook Hollow, TX (1993, renovation) / Cabot Cliffs, Nova Scotia (2015) / Chechessee Creek, SC (2000) / Clear Creek, NV (2009) / Colorado GC, CO (2007) / Cuscowilla, GA (1997) / Dormie Club, NC (2010) / East Hampton, NY (2000) / Farmington CC, VA (2016, renovation of 10-hole East course) / Friar's Head, NY (2003) / Hidden Creek, NJ (2002) / Hot Springs CC, AR (1994, renovation of Arlington course; 2001, renovation of Park course) / Houston CC, TX (1986 & 2015, renovations) / Kapalua, HI (1991, Plantation course) / Lakewood CC, TX (1995, 2003 & 2014, modifications) / Maidstone Club, NY (2013 & 2016, renovations) / Old Sandwich, MA (2004) / Old Town Club, NC (2013, modifications) / Onion Creek, TX (1996, renovation and addition of nine new holes) / Pinehurst, NC (2010, No.2 course modifications) / Prairie Dunes, KS (2004, renovation) / Riviera CC, CA (1993, renovation) / Sand Hills, NE (1994) / Sand Valley, WI (2017, Sand Valley course) / Shady Oaks, TX (1995, renovation) / Southern Hills CC, OK (1992, 9-hole West course) / Streamsong, FL (2012, Red course) / Sugarloaf Mtn, FL (2006, now closed) / Talking Stick, AZ (1998, O'odham & Piipaash courses; formerly called North & South) / TPC Four Seasons at Las Colinas, TX (1982, with Jay Morrish & Byron Nelson; Bill Coore not involved) / Trinity Forest, TX (2017) / Warren GC-Notre Dame, IN (1999) / We-Ko-Pa, AZ (2006, Saguaro course) / Wykagyl, NY (2006, renovation).

BEYOND NORTH AMERICA:
Barnbougle, Tasmania (2010, Lost Farm course) / Klub Rimba Irian, Indonesia (1996) / Shanqin Bay, China (2012) / Yokohama CC, Jpn (2016, renovation).

Did you know?

After attending the University of Texas, Crenshaw turned professional in 1973 and became the second player in PGA Tour history to win his very first event on the Tour. Among his total of 19 PGA Tour wins, he twice won The Masters tournament. Aged 43 he recorded his second Masters in 1995, which came just a week after the death of his lifelong mentor Harvey Penick. Crenshaw started playing on the Champions Tour in 2002.

Top tournaments won by Ben Crenshaw

2009
America
13 skins
$530,000
Wendy's

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Crenshaw, Ben

Score

13 skins

Prize money

$530,000

Title sponsor

Wendy's

Played as Wendy's Champions Skins Game (Jan 17/18; unofficial Champions Tr money event; four 2-man teams; alternate shot format). Fuzzy Zoeller & Ben Crenshaw won with a total of 13 skins worth a record $530,000. Second was Greg Norman (Aus) & Jay Haas 4 skins worth $190,000. Third was Gary Player (RSA) & Bernhard Langer (Ger) 1 skin worth $50,000. Jack Nicklaus & Tom Watson were shutout with no skins. (All players from USA unless indicated otherwise). [Royal Ka'anapali GC, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii].

1995
Majors
274 (-14)
$396,000
x

Category

Majors

Winner (holder)

Crenshaw, Ben

Score

274 (-14)

Prize money

$396,000

Title sponsor

x

The Masters Tournament (59th) (April 6-9). Second-placed Davis Love III (USA) finished 1 shot behind Crenshaw (USA), who recorded his second major championship win (both in The Masters), and last of his 19 PGA Tour wins. In an emotional green jacket ceremony Crenshaw dedicated his second Masters title to his coach and mentor, Harvey Penick, who died the week before. [Augusta National GC, Augusta, GA].

1995
America
140 (-4)
$400,000
MasterCard

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Crenshaw, Ben

Score

140 (-4)

Prize money

$400,000

Title sponsor

MasterCard

Played as the MasterCard PGA Grand Slam of Golf (Nov 7/8; unofficial event for the season's four Major winners). Second-placed Corey Pavin (US Open) and Steve Elkington (US PGA) finished on 141, 1 shot behind Crenshaw (The Masters). Fourth with 146 was John Daly (The Open). [Poipu Bay GC, Koloa, Kauai, Hawaiian Islands].

1994
America
273 (-15)
$216,000
Freeport-McDermott

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Crenshaw, Ben

Score

273 (-15)

Prize money

$216,000

Title sponsor

Freeport-McDermott

Played as the Freeport-McMoRan Classic (Mar 31-Apr 3). Second-placed José María Olazábal (Esp) finished 3 shots behind Ben Crenshaw (USA). [English Turn G&CC, New Orleans, LA].

1993
America
280 (-8)
$180,000
Nestle

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Crenshaw, Ben

Score

280 (-8)

Prize money

$180,000

Title sponsor

Nestle

Played as The Nestle Invitational (March 18-21). Second-placed David Love III (USA), Rocco Mediate (USA) and Vijay Singh (Fiji) finished 2 shots behind Crenshaw (USA). [Bay Hill Club, Orlando, FL].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Crenshaw, Ben

Score

276 (-12)

Prize money

$198,000

Title sponsor

Centel

Played as the Centel Western Open (July 2-5). Second-placed Greg Norman (Aus) finished 1 shot behind Ben Crenshaw (USA). [No.4 Dubsdread course, Cog Hill G&CC, Lemont, nr Chicago, IL].

1990
America
272 (-8)
$180,000
Southwestern Bell

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Crenshaw, Ben

Score

272 (-8)

Prize money

$180,000

Title sponsor

Southwestern Bell

Played as the Southwestern Bell Colonial (May 17-20). Second-placed John Mahaffey (USA), Corey Pavin (USA) and Nick Price (Zim) finished 3 shots behind Ben Crenshaw (USA). [Colonial CC, Ft Worth, TX].

1988
America
274 (-14)
$180,000
Ryder

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Crenshaw, Ben

Score

274 (-14)

Prize money

$180,000

Title sponsor

Ryder

Played as the Doral Ryder Open (March 3-6). Second-placed Mark McCumber (USA) and Chip Beck (USA) finished 1 shot behind Ben Crenshaw (USA). [Blue Monster course, Doral Resort, Miami, FL].

1988
Aus/NZ
275 (-13)
$46,000
Philip Morris

Category

Aus/NZ

Winner (holder)

Crenshaw, Ben

Score

275 (-13)

Prize money

$46,000

Title sponsor

Philip Morris

Played as the International Trophy (Dec 8-11; best individual 72-hole score at the World Cup of Golf). Second-placed Tateo "Jet" Ozaki (Jpn) finished 1 shot behind Crenshaw (USA). Team winners of the World Cup: Ben Crenshaw & Mark McCumber (USA). [Composite of East & West courses, Royal Melbourne GC, Victoria, Aus].

1987
America
268 (-20)
$90,000
USF&G

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Crenshaw, Ben

Score

268 (-20)

Prize money

$90,000

Title sponsor

USF&G

Played as the USF&G Classic (March 19-22). Second-placed Curtis Strange (USA) finished 3 shots behind Ben Crenshaw (USA). [Lakewood GC, New Orleans, LA].

1986
America
196 (-14)
$180,000
Vantage

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Crenshaw, Ben

Score

196 (-14)

Prize money

$180,000

Title sponsor

Vantage

Played as the Vantage Championship (Oct 23-26). Second-placed Payne Stewart (USA) finished 1 shot behind home-state winner Ben Crenshaw (USA). Reduced to 54 holes due to bad weather. [Oak Hills CC, San Antonio, TX].

1986
America
Warwick Hills
270 (-18)
$90,000
Buick

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Crenshaw, Ben

Venue

Warwick Hills

Score

270 (-18)

Prize money

$90,000

Title sponsor

Buick

Played as the Buick Open (July 24-27). Second-placed Doug Tewell (USA) and J.C. Snead (USA) finished 1 shot behind Ben Crenshaw (USA). [Warwick Hills G&CC, Grand Blanc, Michigan].

1985
America
Jeremy Ranch
257 (-31)
$30,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Crenshaw, Ben

Venue

Jeremy Ranch

Score

257 (-31)

Prize money

$30,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Shootout at Jeremy Ranch (unofficial two-man better-ball event; Snr Tr player paired with a PGA Tr player). Ben Crenshaw (USA) & Miller Barber (USA) beat Gene Littler (USA) & John Mahaffey (USA) with an eagle at the first playoff hole (par-5 16th). [Jeremy Ranch G&CC, Park City, nr Salt Lake City, Utah].

1984
Majors
277 (-11)
$108,000
x

Category

Majors

Winner (holder)

Crenshaw, Ben

Score

277 (-11)

Prize money

$108,000

Title sponsor

x

The Masters Tournament (48th) (April 12-15). Second-placed Tom Watson (USA) finished 2 shots behind Crenshaw (USA), who recorded the first of his two Masters wins; the second followed 11 years later. [Augusta National GC, Augusta, GA].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Crenshaw, Ben

Score

273 (-7)

Prize money

$72,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Byron Nelson Golf Classic (Apr 28-May 1). Second-placed Hal Sutton (USA) and Brad Bryant (USA) finished 1 shot behind Crenshaw (USA). [Sports Club course, Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas, Irving, nr Dallas, TX].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Crenshaw, Ben

Score

273

Prize money

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Mexican Open (Abierto Mexicano de Golf). Ray Floyd (USA) finished in second place behind Crenshaw (USA). [GC Chapultepec, Naucalpan, Mexico City].

1980
America
272 (-16)
$54,000
Anheuser-Busch

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Crenshaw, Ben

Score

272 (-16)

Prize money

$54,000

Title sponsor

Anheuser-Busch

Played as the Anheuser-Busch Golf Classic (Sept 25-28). Second-placed Jack Renner (USA) finished 4 shots behind Ben Crenshaw (USA). [North course, Silverado Resort, Napa, CA].

1979
America
255 (-33)
$22,500
Disney World

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Crenshaw, Ben

Score

255 (-33)

Prize money

$22,500

Title sponsor

Disney World

Played as the Walt Disney World National Team Championship (Oct 25-28; two-man team event). Second-placed Peter Jacobsen (USA) & D.A. Weibring (USA), Jeff Hewes (USA) & Sammy Rachels (USA), and Scott Bess (USA) & Dan Halldorson (Can) finished 3 shots behind George Burns (USA) & Ben Crenshaw (USA). [Magnolia course, Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL. Earlier rounds also played on the Palm course].

1979
America
Phoenix CC, AZ
199 (-14)
$33,750
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Crenshaw, Ben

Venue

Phoenix CC, AZ

Score

199 (-14)

Prize money

$33,750

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Phoenix Open (Jan 19-22). Second-placed Jay Haas (USA) finished 1 shot behind Crenshaw (USA). Event reduced to 54 holes and Monday finish required due to bad weather. [Phoenix CC, Phoenix, AZ].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Crenshaw, Ben

Score

272 (-8)

Prize money

$40,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Colonial National Invitation (May 12-15). Second-placed John Schroeder (USA) finished 1 shot behind Ben Crenshaw (USA), who recorded his fifth PGA Tour win. [Colonial CC, Ft Worth, TX].

1976
America
270 (-18)
$46,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Crenshaw, Ben

Score

270 (-18)

Prize money

$46,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Hawaiian Open (Jan 29-Feb 1). Second-placed Hale Irwin (USA) and Larry Nelson (USA) finished 4 shots behind Ben Crenshaw (USA). [Waialae CC, Honolulu, Hawaii].

1976
Europe
284 (-4)
£7,000
Carroll & Co.

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Crenshaw, Ben

Score

284 (-4)

Prize money

£7,000

Title sponsor

Carroll & Co.

Played as Carroll's Irish Open. Second-placed Brian Barnes (Scot), Billy Casper (USA) and Martin Foster (Eng) finished 2 shots behind Crenshaw (USA). [Portmarnock GC, nr Dublin, Ireland].

1976
America
281 (-7)
$37,000
Bing Crosby

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Crenshaw, Ben

Score

281 (-7)

Prize money

$37,000

Title sponsor

Bing Crosby

Played as the Bing Crosby National Pro-Am (Jan 22-25). Second-placed Mike Morley (USA) finished 2 shots behind Crenshaw (USA), who posted his second PGA Tour win. [Pebble Beach Links, Monterey Peninsula, CA. Earlier rounds also at: Cypress Point Club and Spyglass Hill GC].

1976
America
Mason Golf Ctr, OH
271 (-9)
$30,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Crenshaw, Ben

Venue

Mason Golf Ctr, OH

Score

271 (-9)

Prize money

$30,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Ohio Kings Island Open (Sept 16-19). Second-placed Andy North (USA) finished 1 shot behind Ben Crenshaw (USA). ["The Grizzly" course, City of Mason Golf Ctr, Mason, OH; at the time called Nicklaus Golf Ctr].

1973
America
Woodlake, TX
270 (-14)
$25,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Crenshaw, Ben

Venue

Woodlake, TX

Score

270 (-14)

Prize money

$25,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the San Antonio Texas Open (Nov 1-4). Second-placed Orville Moody (USA) finished 2 shots behind 21-year-old Ben Crenshaw (USA). Having made a few occasional appearances on the PGA Tour since 1970, Crenshaw became only the second golfer to win in his debut event as a full member of the Tour. Marty Fleckman was the first to achieve this feat in 1967. [Woodlake GC, San Antonio, Texas].

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Tournaments

Ryder Cup: Rome plays host to the first ever Ryder Cup to be staged in Italy, with the USA defending golf’s greatest team trophy at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club (Sept 29-Oct 1).

Solheim Cup: also in September, also in southern Europe, the 18th Solheim Cup will be contested at Finca Cortesin on the Costa del Sol, with Europe defending after their surprise win in Toledo, Inverness Club (Ohio) in 2021 (Sept 22-24). 

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Alex Cejka: buffeted by rain and high winds, especially on the high-scoring final day, Čejka prevailed over Pádraig Harrington in a playoff at Royal Porthcawl, to scoop the Senior Open Championship title.

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club

Marco Simone Golf & Country Club: With a clubhouse that might befit a Roman Emperor, and a golf course to match, you can be sure of a memorable outing at Rome's most talked about golf facility.

Jim Fazio's original layout was much changed to create a modern Ryder Cup course ... now one of the Eternal City's (and Italy's) most revered.

Prince's Golf Club, Kent (UK)

Here at Prince’s Golf Club you'll find 27 excellent holes of links golf. Just over the fence and sharing similar terrain is Royal St George’s; but Prince’s is far from overshadowed by its venerable neighbour. The three nine-hole loops at Prince's, laid out over gently undulating terrain, are sure to bring a smile of satisfaction to all lovers of links golf.

Stay&Play at Prince's: excellent onsite Lodge accommodation available

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