Jack Burke Jr
Name:
John Joseph "Jack" Burke Jr.Also known as:
JackieCountry:
USABorn:
Jan 29, 1923 in Fort Worth, Texas.Original/Home Club:
River Oaks, HoustonOccupation:
Professional golfer; golf course designer; co-founder of Champions GC, Houston.Turned Pro:
1941MAJORS (2): The Masters (1956); US PGA Championship (1956). PGA Tour wins (17). Ryder Cup player (1951, 1953, 1955, 1957); Ryder Cup captain (1957, 1973). USPGA Tour Player of the Year (1956). Vardon Trophy (1952). Inducted in the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2000.
Burke won four US Tour events in a row in 1952, one of only four players to achieve this feat (Byron Nelson, Ben Hogan and Tiger Woods being the other three). Together with Jimmy Demaret they founded the Champions Golf Club in their hometown of Houston. The Champions hosted the Ryder Cup in 1967; the US Open in 1969.
America
Lucky Lager
Played as the Lucky International Open (Jan 24-27). Second-placed Don January (USA) finished 3 shots behind 39-year-old Jack Burke Jr (USA), who recorded the last of his 16 PGA Tour wins. [Harding Park GC, San Francisco, Calif. Now known as TPC Harding Park].
America
Buick
Played as the Buick Open Invitational (Jun 29-Jul 3). Jack Burke Jr (USA) beat Billy Casper (USA) and Johnny Pott (USA) in an 18-hole Monday playoff (Burke 71, Casper 74, Pott 74). [Warwick Hills G&CC, Grand Blanc, Michigan].
America
x
Played as the Houston Classic (April 16-20). Jack Burke Jr (USA) beat Julius Boros (USA) in an 18-hole Monday playoff (Burke 64, Boros 69). [Memorial Park GC, Houston, TX].
America
x
Played as the Insurance City Open (July 10-13). Second-placed Dow Finsterwald (USA) and Art Wall Jr (USA) finished 3 shots behind Jack Burke Jr (USA). [Wethersfield CC, nr Hartford, CT].
Awards
PGA of America
Burke (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).
Majors
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The Masters Tournament (20th) (April 5-8). Second-placed Ken Venturi (USA) finished 1 shot behind Jack "Jackie" Burke Jr (USA). In strong winds Burke equalled the then Masters highest winning total of 289 (also shot in 1954 by Sam Snead). [Augusta National GC, Augusta, GA].
Majors
PGA of America
The US PGA Championship (38th) (July 20-24). John "Jackie" Burke Jr (USA) beat Ted Kroll (USA) 3 and 2 in the 36-hole final, to win his second major championship of 1956. [Blue Hill CC, Canton, nr Boston, MA].
America
x
Played as the Miami Open (Dec 11-14). Jack Burke Jr (USA) beat Dick Mayer (USA) with a 10-foot birdie putt at the fifth playoff hole. [Miami Springs G&CC, Miami, FL; at the time known as Miami Springs Municipal Course].
Awards
PGA of America
Burke Jr. (USA) won the PGA of America Vardon Trophy, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the PGA Tour.
America
x
Played as the Houston Open (Feb 21-14). Second-placed Frank Stranahan (USA, amateur) finished 6 shots behind Jack Burke Jr (USA). This was the second of four straight wins for Burke Jr, who a week earlier captured the Texas Open, and in subsequent weeks won the Baton Rouge and St Petersburg Opens. (San Antonio. [Memorial Park GC, Houston, TX].
America
x
Played as the Texas Open (25th) (Feb 14-17). Second-placed Doug Ford (USA) finished 6 shots behind Jack Burke Jr (USA), whose father Jack Sr, also an accomplished professional, failed in nine attempts to win this title. [Brackenridge Park GC, San Antonio, TX].
America
x
Played as the Rio Grande Valley Open (Feb 16-19). Second-placed Skip Alexander (USA) finished 2 shots behind 27-year-old Jack Burke Jr (USA), who was a first-time outright winner on the PGA Tour; a month earlier he shared first place in a four-way tie in the Bing Crosby Pro-Am. [Harlingen GC, Harlingen, TX; now called Tony Butler GC].
America
Bing Crosby
Played as the Bing Crosby Pro-Am (Jan 13-15; 54-hole event). Sam Snead (USA), Jack Burke Jr (USA), Smiley Quick (USA) and Dave Douglas (USA) tied for first place. There was no sudden-death playoff in those days. [Pebble Beach Links, Monterey Peninsula, CA. Earlier rounds also at: Cypress Point Club and Monterey Peninsula CC].
America
Metropolitan GA
Played as the Metropolitan Open (Sept 20-22; Metropolitan Golf Assoc event; last played in 1940). Second-placed 47-year-old Gene Sarazen (USA) finished 5 shots behind 26-year-old Jack Burke Jr (USA), who recorded his first professional win. Playing at his home course, Burke's second round 64 set a new course record. [Metropolis CC, White Plains, NY].
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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