Who's who: John Panton

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  • Marco Simone GC

Who's who: John Panton

  • Name:

    John Panton
  • Country:

    Scotland
  • Lived:

    [1916-2009]. Born on Oct 9, 1916 in Pitlochry, Perthsire, Scotland. Died on July 24, 2009 in Windsor, Berkshire, England, aged 92.
  • Original/Home Club:

  • Occupation:

    Professional golfer and club professional.
  • Turned Pro:

    1935

Roll of Honour

Ryder Cup player (1951, '53, '61). 39 professional wins in Britain and Europe. Honorary Professional to the R&A Golf Club (1988-2006). Harry Vardon Trophy as British PGA Order of Merit winner (1951). Appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire, MBE (1980).

Did you know?

Between the end of World War II and the formation of the European Tour in 1972, Panton was the dominant professional golfer in Scotland, alongside Eric Brown. In addition to winning the Scottish PGA Championship eight times (between 1948-66), and the Northern Open seven times (1948-1962), Panton also represented Gt Britain & Ireland in three Ryder Cups.

In addition to his tournament golf committments, Panton also served as the club professional at Glenbervie Golf Club near Falkirk for almost 30 years until 1984. His daughter Cathy Panton (later Panton-Lewis) was also a very accomplished golfer, and a founding member of the Women's PGA Tour (which later became the Ladies European Tour).

The refreshing drink known in many English and Asian golf clubs as Gunner or Gunners (ginger beer, dash of lime and angostura bitters), is know in several Scottish golf clubs as a "John Panton". This might be because Panton served as a gunner in the British Army during World War II. He saw action in Burma and Italy, during which time he sustained wounds to his face and hands.

Top tournaments won by John Panton

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Panton, John

Score

281 (-3)

Prize money

£500

Title sponsor

Pringle

Played as the Pringle PGA Seniors Championship (June 24-26). Second-placed Dai Rees (Wales) finished 8 shots behind John Panton (Scot), who won this event for the second time in three years. [West Kilbride GC, North Ayrshire].

1967
Europe
282 (+2)
£500
Teacher's

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Panton, John

Score

282 (+2)

Prize money

£500

Title sponsor

Teacher's

Played as the Teacher's Senior Professional Tournament (May 23-25; aka British Senior Championship; played for the first time over 72 holes). Second-placed Flory Van Donck (Belg) finished 5 shots behind John Panton (Scot). [Belleisle GC, Ayr, Ayrshire].

1967
Europe
3 & 2
£500
Teacher's

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Panton, John

Score

3 & 2

Prize money

£500

Title sponsor

Teacher's

Played as the Teacher International Senior Golf Championship (July 9; 36-hole match between the US and British PGA Senior Champions; for the unofficial title of world senior professional champion). Panton (Scot) beat Sam Snead (USA) 3 and 2. [Wallasey GC, The Wirral, Merseyside].

1956
Europe
1 hole
£750
News of the World

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Panton, John

Score

1 hole

Prize money

£750

Title sponsor

News of the World

Played as the News of the World Match Play (Sept 12-15). Panton (Scot) beat Harry Weetman (Eng) by 1 hole in the 36-hole final. [Royal Liverpool GC, Hoylake, Wirral, Merseyside].

1954
Europe
284
£500
Yorkshire Eve. News

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Panton, John

Score

284

Prize money

£500

Title sponsor

Yorkshire Eve. News

Played as the Yorkshire Evening News £1550 Tournament (June 9-11). Second-placed Bernard Hunt (Eng) and Ken Bousfield (Eng) finished 1 shot behind John Panton (Scot). [Moortown GC, nr Leeds, W Yorks, England].

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Panton, John

Venue

Pannal

Score

343

Prize money

£500

Title sponsor

x

Played as the North British-Harrogate 2000 Guineas Tournament (over 90 holes). Second-placed Harry Weetman (Eng) finished 6 shots behind Panton (Scot). [Pannal GC, Pannal, nr Harrogate, N Yorks].

1951
Awards
71.51
British PGA

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Panton, John

Venue

Score

71.51

Prize money

Title sponsor

British PGA

Panton (Scot) won the Harry Vardon Trophy as the British PGA Tour 1951 Order of Merit winner. Award based on lowest scoring average in the season's top professional events. Panton's 71.51 was based on 37 rounds played.

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Panton, John

Score

282

Prize money

£400

Title sponsor

Daks

Played as the Daks Tournament. Second-placed Bobby Locke (S Africa) finished 3 shots behind Panton (Scot). [Old course, Sunningdale GC, Sunningdale, Berks].

1950
Europe
276
£300
Silvertown Co.

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Panton, John

Score

276

Prize money

£300

Title sponsor

Silvertown Co.

Played as the Silver King Tournament. Second-placed Ossie Pickworth (Aus) finished 5 shots behind Panton (Scot). [High course, Moor Park GC, Rickmansworth, Herts].

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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).

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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.

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

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