Who's who: Tommy Horton

  • 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: Tommy Horton

  • Name:

    Thomas Alfred "Tommy" Horton
  • Country:

    England
  • Lived:

    [1942-2017]. Born on June 16, 1942 in St Helens, Lancashire, England. Died on Dec 7, 2017 in Jersey, Channel Islands, aged 76.
  • Original/Home Club:

    Royal Jersey GC, Grouville, Jersey.
  • Occupation:

    Professional golfer, golf coach, course designer, golf writer and broadcaster.
  • Turned Pro:

    1957

Roll of Honour

Ryder Cup player (1975, '77). Total professional wins (42), including European circuit/Tour (8) and European Snr Tour (23). European Snr Tour Order of Merit winner (1993, '96, '97, '98, '99). Appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire, MBE (2000).

Did you know?

Known throughout the golfing world as a true gentleman of the game, Horton was born on Merseyside, but moved to Jersey in the Channel Islands when he was aged five. He was a cornerstone of the European professional circuit in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, making Ryder Cup appearances in 1975 and 1977.

During Horton's playing days on the European Tour (1971-94), fifth was his best finish on the Tour's Order of Merit. However, Horton enjoyed much greater success on the European Senior Tour, winning the Order of Merit on a record five occasions in the 1990s.

Top tournaments won by Tommy Horton

2000
Europe
208 (-8)
€26,514
Royal Westmoreland

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Horton, Tommy

Score

208 (-8)

Prize money

€26,514

Title sponsor

Royal Westmoreland

Played as the inaugural Royal Westmoreland Barbados Open (March 30-April 1; Eurpn Snr Tr season opener). Second-placed Jerry Bruner (USA) finished 2 shots behind Horton (Eng), who won the Tour's season-opening event for the fourth straight year, and recorded the last of his 23 wins on the European Snr Tour. [Royal Westmoreland, St James, Barbados].

1999
Awards
€138,943
see Score
Eurpn Snr Tr

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Horton, Tommy

Venue

Score

€138,943

Prize money

see Score

Title sponsor

Eurpn Snr Tr

Horton (Eng) won his fifth (and fourth straight) Eurpn Snr Tr Order of Merit and associated John Jacobs Trophy, with 1999 season earnings of €138,943 on the Tour. Eddie Polland (N.Ire) was second with €106,977; Jerry Bruner (USA) was third with €105,243.

1999
Europe
207 (E)
€28,000
x

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Horton, Tommy

Score

207 (E)

Prize money

€28,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the inaugural Monte Carlo Invitational (Sept 9-11). Second-placed Bill Brask (USA), Ray Carrasco (USA) and Jerry Bruner (USA) finished 1 shot behind Horton (Eng), whose late charge included five birdies in the final six holes. [Monte-Carlo GC, Mont Agel, La Turbie, French Riviera].

1999
Europe
211 (-5)
€43,125
Beko

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Horton, Tommy

Venue

Marmara

Score

211 (-5)

Prize money

€43,125

Title sponsor

Beko

Played as the Beko Classic (May 7-9; Eurpn Snr Tr season opener). Second-placed Alan Tapie (USA) finished 1 shot behind Tommy Horton (Eng), who won this event for the second time in three years. [Marmara Golf, Silivri, nr Istanbul, Turkey; at the time called Klassis G&CC].

1998
Europe
Belton Woods
211 (-5)
£15,000
De Vere

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Horton, Tommy

Venue

Belton Woods

Score

211 (-5)

Prize money

£15,000

Title sponsor

De Vere

Played as the De Vere Hotels Seniors Classic (June 12-14). Second-placed Ian Richardson (Eng) finished 1 shot behind Horton (Eng). [Belton Woods Htl & GC, nr Grantham, Lincs, England].

1998
Awards
£127,656
see Score
Eurpn Snr Tr

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Horton, Tommy

Venue

Score

£127,656

Prize money

see Score

Title sponsor

Eurpn Snr Tr

Horton (Eng) won his fourth (and third straight) Eurpn Snr Tr Order of Merit and associated John Jacobs Trophy, with 1998 season earnings of £127,656 on the Tour. Brian Huggett (Wales) was second with £102,382; Eddie Polland (N.Ire) was third with £92,145.

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Horton, Tommy

Score

201 (-15)

Prize money

£16,660

Title sponsor

x

Played as the inaugural (and only) El Bosque Seniors Open (May 1-3; Eurpn Snr Tr season opener). Second-placed Noel Ratcliffe (Aus) finished 9 shots behind Horton (Eng). [El Bosque GC, Chiva, nr Valencia, Spain].

1998
Europe
277 (-11)
£29,000
The Belfry

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Horton, Tommy

Score

277 (-11)

Prize money

£29,000

Title sponsor

The Belfry

Played as The Belfry PGA Seniors Championship (Aug 28-31). Second-placed Renato Campagnoli (Italy) and Jim Rhodes (Eng) finished 2 shots behind Tommy Horton (Eng), who recorded his 20th European Senior Tour win. [PGA National course, The Belfry, Wishaw, nr Birmingham].

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Horton, Tommy

Score

204

Prize money

£20,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Snr Tournament of Champions (Eurpn Snr Tr season-ending event). Second-placed Jose Maria Canizares (Esp) finished 3 shots behind defending champion Horton (Eng). [Buckinghamshire GC, Denham, Bucks].

1997
Awards
£158,427
see Score
Eurpn Snr Tr

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Horton, Tommy

Venue

Score

£158,427

Prize money

see Score

Title sponsor

Eurpn Snr Tr

Horton (Eng) won his third (and second straight) Eurpn Snrs Tr Order of Merit and associated John Jacobs Trophy, with 1997 season earnings of £158,427 on the Tour. Noel Ratcliffe (Aus) was second with £86,060; Antonio Garrido (Esp) was third with £62,671.

1997
Europe
208 (-8)
£25,503
Beko/Oger

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Horton, Tommy

Score

208 (-8)

Prize money

£25,503

Title sponsor

Beko/Oger

Played as the Beko Turkish Seniors Open (May 8-10; Eurpn Snr Tr season opener). Second-placed Maurice Bembridge (Eng) finished 2 shots behind Horton (Eng). [National GC, Belek, nr Antalya, Turkey].

1997
Europe
208 (-8)
£12,100
AIB

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Horton, Tommy

Score

208 (-8)

Prize money

£12,100

Title sponsor

AIB

Played as the inaugural AIB Irish Seniors Open (May 16-18). Second-placed Noel Ratcliffe (Aus) finished 2 shots behind Tommy Horton (Eng), who took the title with three birdies in the last four holes. [St Margaret's G&CC, St Margaret's, Co. Dublin].

1997
Europe
Benton Hall
203
£12,450
Clubhaus

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Horton, Tommy

Venue

Benton Hall

Score

203

Prize money

£12,450

Title sponsor

Clubhaus

Played as the Clubhaus Seniors' Classic. Second-placed David Jones (N.Ire) finished 2 shots behind Horton (Eng). [Benton Hall G&CC, Witham, Essex, England].

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Horton, Tommy

Score

132 (-12)

Prize money

£16.660

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Scottish Seniors Open (Sept 5-7). Second-placed J.R. "Jim" Delich (USA) finished 9 shots behind Tommy Horton (Eng). Reduced to 36 holes due to bad weather. [Hawkshill course, Newmachar GC, nr Aberdeen, Scotland].

1997
Europe
204 (-12)
£15,000
x

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Horton, Tommy

Venue

La Moye

Score

204 (-12)

Prize money

£15,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Jersey Seniors Open (June 6-8). Second-placed Craig Defoy (Wales) finished 6 shots behind Tommy Horton (Eng). [La Moye GC, St Brelade, Jersey, Channel Islands].

1996
Europe
Idstein G&CC
201
£16,660
x

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Horton, Tommy

Venue

Idstein G&CC

Score

201

Prize money

£16,660

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Stella Senior Open. Second-placed Noel Ratcliffe (Aus) finished 2 shots behind Horton (Eng). [Idstein G&CC, nr Frankfurt, Germany].

1996
Awards
£133,195
see Score
Eurpn Snr Tr

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Horton, Tommy

Venue

Score

£133,195

Prize money

see Score

Title sponsor

Eurpn Snr Tr

Horton (Eng) won his second Eurpn Snrs Tr Order of Merit and associated John Jacobs Trophy, with 1996 season earnings of £133,195 on the Tour. John Morgan (Eng) was second with £69,346; Malcolm Gregson (Eng) was third with £60,090.

1996
Europe
Castle Royle
205
£12,500
Castle Royle

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Horton, Tommy

Venue

Castle Royle

Score

205

Prize money

£12,500

Title sponsor

Castle Royle

Played as the Castle Royle European Seniors Classic. Horton (Eng) beat Brian Huggett (Wales) in a playoff. [Castle Royle G&CC, nr Maidenhead, Berks, England].

1996
Europe
209
£9,700
Northern Electric

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Horton, Tommy

Score

209

Prize money

£9,700

Title sponsor

Northern Electric

Played as the Northern Electric Snrs Open. Second-placed Noel Ratcliffe (Aus) and Antonio Garrido (Esp) finished 4 shots behind Horton (Eng). [Slaley Hall Resort, Hexham, Northumberland].

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Horton, Tommy

Score

206

Prize money

£20,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as The Senior Players Championship (Eurpn Snr Tr season-ending event). Second-placed Gary Player (RSA) and Malcolm Gregson (Eng) finished 2 shots behind Horton (Eng). [Buckinghamshire GC, Denham, Bucks].

1995
Europe
Belton Woods
213
£9,380
De Vere

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Horton, Tommy

Venue

Belton Woods

Score

213

Prize money

£9,380

Title sponsor

De Vere

Played as the De Vere Hotels Classic. Second-placed Antonio Garrido (Esp) finished 1 shot behind Horton (Eng). [Belton Woods Htl & GC, nr Grantham, Lincs, England].

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Horton, Tommy

Score

212

Prize money

£8,330

Title sponsor

x

Played as the St Pierre Seniors Classic. Second-placed Brian Huggett (Wales) finished 3 shots behind Horton (Eng). [Old course, St Pierre Hotel & CC, Chepstow, South Wales].

1994
Europe
208
£9,665
Belfast Telegraph

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Horton, Tommy

Score

208

Prize money

£9,665

Title sponsor

Belfast Telegraph

Played as the Belfast Telegraph Irish Seniors Masters. Horton (Eng) beat Renato Campagnoli (Italy) in a playoff. [Malone GC, Dunmurry, Belfast, N. Ireland].

1993
Europe
208 (-2)
£10,000
Shell

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Horton, Tommy

Score

208 (-2)

Prize money

£10,000

Title sponsor

Shell

Played as the inaugural Shell Scottish Seniors Open (July 2-4). Second-placed Neil Coles (Eng) and Brian Huggett (Wales) finished 5 shots behind Tommy Horton (Eng), who recorded his second European Snr Tour win. [Royal Aberdeen GC, Bridge of Don, Aberdeen].

1993
Awards
£56,935
see Score
Eurpn Snr Tr

Category

Awards

Winner (holder)

Horton, Tommy

Venue

Score

£56,935

Prize money

see Score

Title sponsor

Eurpn Snr Tr

Horton (Eng) won the Eurpn Snrs Tr 1993 Order of Merit and associated John Jacobs Trophy, with earnings of £56,935 on the Tour. Brian Huggett (Wales) was second with £43,865; Bobby Verwey (RSA) was third with £25,885.

1993
Europe
216 (E)
£5,760
Lexus

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Horton, Tommy

Score

216 (E)

Prize money

£5,760

Title sponsor

Lexus

Played as the inaugural Senior Zurich Pro-Am Lexus Trophy (Oct 7-9). Horton (Eng) beat David Jimenez (USA) and John Fourie (RSA) in a playoff. [GC Breitenloo, Nürensdorf, nr Zurich, Switzerland].

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Horton, Tommy

Score

212

Prize money

£6,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Collingtree Park Seniors Classic. Second-placed Roger Fidler (Eng) and Brian Huggett (Wales) finished 3 shots behind Horton (Eng). [Collingtree Park GC, Northampton, Northants].

1992
Europe
290 (+2)
£12,500
Forte

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Horton, Tommy

Score

290 (+2)

Prize money

£12,500

Title sponsor

Forte

Played as the Forte PGA Seniors Championship (Aug 6-9). Tommy Horton (Eng) beat Tony Grubb (Eng) and Christy O'Connor Snr (Ire) in a playoff, to win the first of his 23 European Senior Tour wins. [Royal Dublin GC, Dollymount, Dublin].

1984
Europe
288 (E)
SEK50,000
PLM

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Horton, Tommy

Score

288 (E)

Prize money

SEK50,000

Title sponsor

PLM

Played as the PLM Open (June 27-30; Sweden Tour event, not sanctioned as a European Tour event). Second-placed Denis Durnian (Eng) and Anders Starkman (Swe) finished 4 shots behind Horton (Eng). [Ljunghusens GC, Höllviken, nr Malmo, Sweden].

1978
Europe
279 (-5)
£8,000
Dunlop

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Horton, Tommy

Score

279 (-5)

Prize money

£8,000

Title sponsor

Dunlop

Played as the Dunlop Masters (Oct 4-7). Second-placed Dale Hayes (RSA), Graham Marsh (Aus) and Brian Waites (Eng) finished 1 shot behind Horton (Eng), who recorded the last of his four European Tour wins. [Old course, St Pierre Hotel & CC, Chepstow, S Wales].

1976
Europe
277 (-11)
£4,000
Uniroyal

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Horton, Tommy

Score

277 (-11)

Prize money

£4,000

Title sponsor

Uniroyal

Played as the Uniroyal International (June 23-26). Second-placed Martin Foster (Eng) finished 1 shot behind Horton (Eng). [Combination of holes from High & West courses, Moor Park GC, Rickmansworth, Herts].

1974
Europe
Hill Barn GC
272 (-8)
£2,000
Penfold

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Horton, Tommy

Venue

Hill Barn GC

Score

272 (-8)

Prize money

£2,000

Title sponsor

Penfold

Played as the Penfold Tournament. Second-placed Peter Tupling (Eng) finished 1 shot behind Horton (Eng). [Hill Barn GC, Worthing, W Sussex].

1972
Europe
157 (+13)
£2,500
Piccadilly

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Horton, Tommy

Score

157 (+13)

Prize money

£2,500

Title sponsor

Piccadilly

Played as the Piccadilly Medal (April 26-29; medal match play format). Horton (Eng) beat Guy Hunt (Eng) by 1 shot in the 36-hole final (Horton 80, 77; Hunt 80, 78). [Hillside GC, Southport, Merseyside].

Category

Africa

Winner (holder)

Horton, Tommy

Score

285

Prize money

Title sponsor

x

Played as the South African Open. Second-placed Terry Westbrook (Zim) finished 3 shots behind Tommy Horton (Eng). Horton became the first overseas player (i.e. not based in South Africa at the time of winning) to claim the SA Open title. [Royal Durban GC, KwaZulu-Natal, RSA].

1970
Europe
3 & 2
£2,000
Long John Whisky

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Horton, Tommy

Score

3 & 2

Prize money

£2,000

Title sponsor

Long John Whisky

Played as the Long John Scotch Whisky Match Play Championship (Aug 26-29). Horton (Eng) beat Ronnie Shade (Scot) 3 and 2 in the 18-hole final. [Combination of holes from High & West courses, Moor Park GC, Rickmansworth, Herts].

1968
Europe
271 (-13)
£1,000
R.T.V. Rentals

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Horton, Tommy

Venue

Cork GC

Score

271 (-13)

Prize money

£1,000

Title sponsor

R.T.V. Rentals

Played as the R.T.V. International Trophy (Aug 22-25; first year as an individual event; in 1967 played as a team event between the four "home nations"). Second-placed Peter Townsend (Eng) finished 3 shots behind 27-year-old Tommy Horton (Eng), who recorded his first top flight professional win. [Cork GC, Co. Cork. Also known as "Little Island"].

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