Dow Finsterwald
Name:
Dow Henry Finsterwald SrCountry:
USABorn:
Sept 6, 1929 in Athens, Ohio.Original/Home Club:
Occupation:
Professional golferTurned Pro:
1951MAJORS (1): US PGA Championship (1958). Ryder Cup player (1957, 1969, 1961, 1963); Ryder Cup captain (1977). PGA Tour wins (11).
Former PGA Tour player.
America
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Played as the "500" Festival Open Invitational (May 31-Jun 3; held in conjunction with the Indy 500 race week). Second-placed Tommy Aaron (USA), Julius Boros (USA), Tony Lema (USA) and Bobby Nichols (USA) finished 2 shots behind Dow Finsterwald (USA), who recorded the last of his 11 PGA Tour wins. [Brickyard Crossing GC, at the time known as Speedway GC, Indianapolis, IN].
America
x
Played as the Los Angeles Open (Jan 9-12; PGA Tour season opener). Second-placed Bill Collins (USA), Jay Hebert (USA) and Dave Ragan (USA) finished 3 shots behind Finsterwald (USA). [Rancho Park GC, Los Angeles, CA].
America
x
Played as the Greater New Orleans Open Invitational (April 21-24). Second-placed Al Besselink (USA) finished 6 shots behind Dow Finsterwald (USA). [Bayou Oaks at City Park, New Orleans, LA. Played on what was known as City Park's No.1 (East) course; now part of the South course).
America
KCGA
Played as the Kansas City Open (Sept 4-7). Finsterwald (USA) beat Don Fairfield (USA) at the first playoff hole. [Blue Hills CC, nr Kansas City, Missouri].
America
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Played as the Greater Greensboro Open (April 9-12). Second-placed Art Wall Jr (USA) finished 2 shots behind Finsterwald (USA). [Starmount Forest CC, Greensboro, NC].
Majors
PGA of America
The US PGA Championship (40th) (July 17-20; first year in stroke-play rather than match play format). Second-placed Billy Casper (USA) finished 2 shots behind Finsterwald (USA), who recorded his first and only major championship win. [Llanerch CC, Havertown, nr Philadelphia, PA].
Awards
PGA of America
Finsterwald (USA) won the PGA of America Player of the Year Award (based on points allocated for PGA Tour wins, money-list position and scoring average).
America
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Played as the Tucson Open Invitational (Feb 7-11). Dow Finsterwald (USA) beat Don Whitt (USA) by 4 shots in an 18-hole Monday playoff (Finsterwald 5-under-par 65, Whitt 69). [El Rio G&CC, Tucson, AZ. Now known as El Rio GC].
Awards
PGA of America
Finsterwald (USA) won the PGA of America Vardon Trophy, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the PGA Tour.
Sony Open in Hawaii: played at Waialae Country Club near Honolulu, the Sony Open takes over the spotlight from The Sentry as the PGA Tour’s calendar-year opening event (Jan 15-18). The Sentry (not being played in 2026) was formerly known as the Tournament of Champions, with a field typically restricted to golfers who won a PGA Tour event in the previous calendar year.
Dubai Desert Classic: the DP World Tour’s first Rolex Series event of 2026, is contested for the 37th time (Jan 22-25). First won by Englishman Mark James in 1989, it now boasts a four-time winner, Rory McIlroy. Played on the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis course, this once desert-surrounded course is the long-time flagship for Golf in Dubai.
Our visit last month included two rounds at Golf de Chantilly, one of France’s most prestigious clubs.
It offers two superb layouts: Le Vineuil, a five-star championship course with a rich history, and Longères, an excellent four-star course that provides a strong and enjoyable test.
The wider Paris region offers plenty more. Courses such as Fontainebleau, Golf de Saint-Germain, and several other top-rated layouts make this area one of Europe’s most rewarding golf destinations, offering a mix of woodland, heathland, and parkland designs.
The Dutch: "It's no' just a game", as they say in Scotland, and that's certainly true at The Dutch. With 5-star services throughout, a lavishly comfortable Loch Lomond-inspired clubhouse, and a superbly designed and presented golf course, one could not ask for more from this top-end private club.
Join us at The Dutch from August 21–24 for the Festival of Golf, featuring the HotelPlanner Tour. Experience four days of top-tier sport, live music, incredible food, and unexpected surprises. Explore the grounds, connect with others, embrace new challenges, and dive into an unforgettable celebration. Click here to buy tickets.
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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