Jimmy Demaret
Name:
James Newton "Jimmy" DemaretCountry:
USALived:
[1910-1983]. Born on May 24, 1910 in Houston, Texas. Died on Dec 28, 1983 in Houston, Texas, aged 73.Original/Home Club:
Occupation:
Professional golfer; golf broadcaster; golf club founder (Champions GC, Houston); singer and comedian.Turned Pro:
1927 (aged 17)MAJORS (3). Ryder Cup player (1947, '49, '51). PGA Tour wins (36), including PGA Tour (31). USPGA leading money winner (1947). World Golf Hall of Fame (inducted in 1983).
Growing up in windy Texas, Demaret developed a reputation as one of the best golfers in windy conditions, something acknowledged by his contemporaries, not least Ben Hogan. A flambouyant and colouful dresser, on and off the golf course, Demaret was one of the leading golfers of his day. He became the first three-time winner of The Masters (1940, '47, '50), played in three Ryder Cups and, late in his career, partnered Sam Snead to win the 1961 Canada Cup (World Cup of Golf).
Demaret was one of the first top professionals to get involved in television broadcasting. For many years he and Gene Sarazen presented the very popular 'Shell's Wonderful World of Golf.' Together with Jack Burke Jr, Demaret founded the Champions Golf Club in their hometown of Houston. Among other top events, The Champions hosted the Ryder Cup (1967), US Open (1969) and US Amateur (1993).
America
Arlington Hotel
Played as the Arlington Hotel Open (May 9-12). Second-placed Jack Burke Jr (USA), Lloyd Mangrum (USA), Johnny Palmer (USA), Mike Souchak (USA) and defending champion Billy Mxwell (USA) finished 1 shot behind Jimmy Demaret (USA), who recorded the last of his 31 PGA Tour wins. [Arlington course, Hot Springs CC, Hot Springs, AR].
America
x
Played as the Thunderbird Invitational. Defending champion Demaret (USA) beat Mike Souchak (USA) and Ken Venturi (USA) in a playoff. [Thunderbird CC, Rancho Mirage, CA].
America
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Played as the Thunderbird Invitational. Second-placed Cary Middlecoff (USA) finished 1 shot behind Demaret (USA). [Thunderbird CC, Rancho Mirage, CA].
America
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Played as the Thunderbird Invitational. Ben Hogan (USA) finished in second-place behind Demaret (USA). [Thunderbird CC, Rancho Mirage, CA].
America
Washington Post
Played as the inaugural National Celebrities Open (Sept 18-21). Second-placed Ted Kroll (USA), Byron Nelson (USA) and Sam Snead (USA) finished 1 shot behind Demaret (USA). [Prince George's CC, Landover, MD; course closed and is now the Kentland Golf Training Center; event also played at Columbia CC, Chevy Chase, MD].
America
Bing Crosby
Played as the Bing Crosby Pro-Am (Jan 10-12). Second-placed Art Bell (USA) finished 2 shots behind Demaret (USA). Event reduced from 54 holes to 36 following cancellation of second round due to bad weather. [Pebble Beach Links, Monterey Peninsula, CA. Earlier rounds also at: Cypress Point Club and Monterey Peninsula CC].
Majors
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The Masters Tournament (14th) (April 6-9). Second-placed Jim Ferrier (Aus) finished 2 shots behind Demaret (USA), who became the first three-time winner of The Masters. [Augusta National GC, Augusta, GA].
America
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Played as the Ben Hogan Open (Jan 26-29; Phoenix Open renamed in 1950 in tribute to Hogan). Second-placed Sam Snead (USA) finished 1 shot behind defending champion Demaret (USA). [Phoenix CC, Phoenix, AZ].
America
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Played as the Phoenix Open (Jan 27-31). Demaret (USA) beat Ben Hogan (USA) in an 18-hole Monday playoff (Demaret 67; Hogan 70). It was driving back from Phoenix to Dallas after this event that Hogan and his wife Valerie were involved in a near fatal road accident that nearly finished his career. [Phoenix CC, Phoenix, AZ].
America
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Played as the Albuquerque Open (June 3-6). Second-placed Skip Alexander (USA) finished 4 shots behind Jimmy Demaret (USA), who averaged 67 in his four rounds on the 6,813-yard course. [North course, Univ of New Mexico, Albuquerque. At the time called the University GC; now only 9-holes].
Awards
PGA of America
Demaret (USA) was the PGA Tour 1947 leading money winner, with earnings of $27,936 on the Tour.
America
x
Played as the Tucson Open (Jan 30-Feb 2). Second-placed Ben Hogan (USA) finished 3 shots behind defending champion Jimmy Demaret (USA). [El Rio G&CC, Tucson, AZ. Now known as El Rio GC].
America
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Played as the Miami Open (Dec 11-14). Second-placed Fred Haas Jr (USA) finished 2 shots behind Jimmy Demaret (USA). [Miami Springs G&CC, Miami, FL; at the time known as Miami Springs Municipal Course].
Majors
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The Masters Tournament (11th) (April 3-6). Second-placed Byron Nelson (USA) and Frank Stranahan (USA, amateur) finished 2 shots behind Demaret (USA), who recorded the second of his three Masters wins. Demaret shot four sub-par rounds; the first player to do this in The Masters. [Augusta National GC, Augusta, GA].
Awards
PGA of America
Demaret (USA) won the PGA of America Vardon Trophy, recording the season's lowest scoring average on the PGA Tour.
America
x
Played as the Tucson Open (Jan 31-Feb 3). Second-placed Herman Barron (USA) finished 4 shots behind Jimmy Demaret (USA). [El Rio G&CC, Tucson, AZ, which played at 6,402 yds for the event. Now known as El Rio GC].
America
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Played as the Argentine Open (Abierto de la Republica/Argentina). Second-placed Eduardo Blasi (Arg) and Enrique Bertolino (Arg) finished 4 shots behind Demaret (USA), who posted the lowest 72-hole total in the event's 37-year history. [San Isidro GC, Buenos Aires].
America
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Played as the New Orleans Open (Feb 23-26). Second-placed Ralph Guldahl (USA), Harold "Jug" McSpaden (USA) and Sam Snead (USA) finished 1 shot behind Jimmy Demaret (USA). Monday finish required after earlier rain delays. [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
WGA
Played as the Western Open (Feb 18-21). Jimmy Demaret (USA) beat Tony Penna (Italy/USA) in an 18-hole Wednesday playoff. Playoff scores: Demaret 71, Penna 74. [River Oaks CC, Houston, TX].
Majors
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The Masters Tournament (7th) (April 4-7). Second-placed Lloyd Mangrum (USA) finished 4 shots behind Demaret (USA), who recorded the first of his three Masters titles. [Augusta National GC, Augusta, GA].
America
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Played as the Oakland Open (Jan 11-14). Second-placed Clayton Heafner (USA), Ben Hogan (USA) and Horton Smith (USA) finished 1 shot behind Jimmy Demaret (USA). [Sequoyah CC, Oakland, California].
America
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Played as the Los Angeles Open (Jan 6-9). Second-placed Harold "Jug" McSpaden (USA) finished 7 shots behind Demaret (USA), who recorded his second PGA Tour win. [Wilson course, Griffith Park, Los Angeles, CA].
Chevron Championship: Carlton Woods near Houston in Texas provides the stage for the first women’s major championship of 2025, where Nelly Korda defends her title. (April 24-27).
Soudal Open: successor to the Belgian Open, the Soudal Open takes place on the quiet, wooded North course of Rinkven Golfclub. Belgian stars Thomas Pieters and Nicolas Colsaerts will be vying for top honours. (May 22-25).
Rory McIlroy: with his 2025 win in The Masters, Rory joined the pantheon of golfing greats who have achieved a career Grand Slam of men’s majors ... Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods are the only others in this select band.
Bernhard Langer: he may have played in his last Masters Tournament, but the 67-year-old German will be trying to extend his own record, and win a 13th senior major title at the 36th Regions Tradition. (May 15-18).
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.
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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