Who's who: Tom Weiskopf

  • 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: Tom Weiskopf

  • Name:

    Thomas Daniel "Tom" Weiskopf
  • Also known as:

    The Towering Inferno
  • Country:

    USA
  • Lived:

    [1942-2022]. Born on Nov 9, 1942 in Massillon, Stark County, Ohio. Died on Aug 21, 2022 at home in Big Sky, Montana (aged 79).
  • Original/Home Club:

    Massillon, Ohio
  • Occupation:

    Professional golfer, course designer, TV commentator.
  • Turned Pro:

    1946
  • Website:

    https://www.weiskopfdesigns.com

Roll of Honour

MAJORS (1): Open Championship (1973). Senior MAJORS (1): US Senior Open (1995). Ryder Cup player (1973, '75). Total professional wins (28), including PGA Tour (16), European Tour (2) and Champions Tour (4).

Golf course design

Especially in the first decade of Weiskopf's golf design career, from 1983 to 1993, he worked on many projects in partnership with Jay Morrish. The best known courses in Weiskopf's impressive design portfolio include, but are not limited to:

UNITED STATES: (* co-designs with Jay Morrish)
Broken Top, OR (1993*) / Buffalo Creek, TX (1992*) / Daufuskie Island, SC (1991, Bloody Point course*) / Double Eagle, OH (1991*) / Eagle Springs, CO (1995*) / Foothills, AZ (1988*) / Forest Dunes, MI (2002) / Forest Highlands, AZ (1986, Canyon course*; 1999, Meadow course) / Harbor Club, GA (1991*) / Hualalai, HI (2002, Ke'olu course) / La Cantera, TX (1995, Resort course*) / Mira Vista, TX (1987*) / Old Kinderhook, MO (1999) / Olympic Club, CA (1994, 9-hole Cliffs course*; 2000, redesign of Ocean course) / Quail Hollow, OH (1996*) / Reserve Club, CA (1998*) / Ridge at Castle Pines North, CO (1997) / The Rim, AZ (1999*) / Seven Canyons, AZ (2002) / Shadow Glen, KS (1989*) / Shanty Creek, MI (1999, Cedar River course) / TPC Scottsdale, AZ (1986, Stadium course*; 1987, Desert course* ... now called Champions course) / Troon CC, AZ (1986*) / Troon North, AZ (1990 & 1996, Monument & Pinnacle courses*) / Vistoso, AZ (1995) / Waikoloa Beach, HI (1981, Kings' course*) / The Wilds, MN (1995*) / Willowbend, KS (1987*)

BEYOND THE UNITED STATES:
Cabo del Sol, Mex (2002, Desert course) / Castiglion del Bosco, Italy (2011) / The Country Club Philippines (1997) / Dunes at Shenzhou Peninsula, China (2010 & 2012, West & East courses) / Loch Lomond, Scot (1993, with Jay Morrish) / Ocean Club, Bahamas (2000) / Toyosato GC, Japan (1997, with Jay Morrish) / Vista Vallarta, Mex (2001, Weiskopf course) / Zimbali, S Africa (1998).

Did you know?

In the early-60s, Weiskopf was a key member on the Ohio State University "Buckeye" golf team. During his collegiate days he also notched-up a prestigious win in the 1963 Western Amateur Championship, before turning professional in 1964.

His illustrious professional career saw him win the Open Championship in 1973, as well as 16 PGA Tour titles. In the mid-1990s he turned his attention to the Champions Tour, winning another four titles, including the US Senior Open in 1995. Occasional outbursts of temper on the golf course earned him the nickname "The Towering Inferno".

During his later playing days on the PGA Tour, Weiskopf became involved in golf course design, initially working in partnership from 1983 to 1993 with Jay Morrish. The pair built-up an admirable reputation, not least for their design of "desert" courses in Arizona, and for their revered layout on the banks of Loch Lomond in Scotland.

Top tournaments won by Tom Weiskopf

1996
America
Dominion CC
207 (-9)
$97,500
SBC

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Weiskopf, Tom

Venue

Dominion CC

Score

207 (-9)

Prize money

$97,500

Title sponsor

SBC

Played as the SBC Dominion Seniors (March 29-31). Second-placed Bob Dickson (USA), Gary Player (RSA) and Graham Marsh (Aus) finished 2 shots behind Weiskopf (USA). [Dominion CC, San Antonio, Texas].

1996
America
205 (-11)
$165,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Weiskopf, Tom

Score

205 (-11)

Prize money

$165,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Pittsburgh Senior Classic (June 7-9). Second-placed J.C. Snead (USA) and Brian Barnes (Scot) finished 3 shots behind Weiskopf (USA), who recorded the last of his four Snr PGA Tour wins. [Quicksilver GC, Midway, nr Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania].

1995
Majors
275 (-13)
$175,000
USGA

Category

Majors

Winner (holder)

Weiskopf, Tom

Score

275 (-13)

Prize money

$175,000

Title sponsor

USGA

The US Senior Open (Jun 29-Jul 2). Second-placed Jack Nicklaus (USA) finished 4 shots behind Weiskopf (USA). [Blue course, Congressional CC, Bethesda, Maryland].

1994
America
Park Meadows, UT
204 (-12)
$75,000
Franklin Quest

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Weiskopf, Tom

Venue

Park Meadows, UT

Score

204 (-12)

Prize money

$75,000

Title sponsor

Franklin Quest

Played as the Franklin Quest Championship. First-time US Snr Tr winner Weiskopf (USA) beat Dave Stockton (USA) with a birdie at the first playoff hole. [Park Meadows CC, Park City, nr Salt Lake City, Utah].

1993
America
TPC Prestancia
202 (-14)
$55,000
Chrysler

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Weiskopf, Tom

Venue

TPC Prestancia

Score

202 (-14)

Prize money

$55,000

Title sponsor

Chrysler

Played as the Chrysler Cup (individual prize) (Feb 26-28; lowest individual 54-hole score during USA vs Internationals senior professional team event; eight players per team). Won by the USA team. Weiskopf (USA), playing in his first Snr PGA Tour event, pocketed an additional $55,000 for the lowest individual 54-hole score: 202 (-14). Second-placed Bob Charles (NZ) and George Archer (USA) finished 4 shots behind Weiskopf. [TPC Prestancia, Sarasota, Florida].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Weiskopf, Tom

Score

276 (-12)

Prize money

$63,000

Title sponsor

WGA

Played as the Western Open (July 1-4). Second-placed Larry Nelson (USA) finished 1 shot behind Tom Weiskopf (USA), who recorded the last of his 16 PGA Tour wins. [Butler National GC, Oak Brook, IL].

1981
Europe
272 (-16)
£15,000
Benson & Hedges

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Weiskopf, Tom

Venue

Fulford

Score

272 (-16)

Prize money

£15,000

Title sponsor

Benson & Hedges

Played as the Benson & Hedges International Open (Aug 20-23). Second-placed Eamonn Darcy (Ire) and Bernhard Langer (Ger) finished 1 shot behind Weiskopf (USA), who recorded the second of his two European Tour wins. [Fulford GC, York, North Yorkshire].

1981
America
Fairway Oaks, TX
278 (-10)
$63,000
LaJet

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Weiskopf, Tom

Venue

Fairway Oaks, TX

Score

278 (-10)

Prize money

$63,000

Title sponsor

LaJet

Played as the inaugural LaJet Classic (Sept 17-20). Second-placed Gil Morgan (USA) finished 2 shots behind Weiskopf (USA), who recorded his fifteenth PGA Tour win. [Fairway Oaks CC, Abilene, TX. Now known as the Fairway course, Abilene CC].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Weiskopf, Tom

Score

289

Prize money

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Argentine Open (Abierto de la Republica/Argentina). Alberto Rivadeneira (Arg) finished in second place behind Weiskopf (USA). [Olivos GC, Pablo Nogués, Buenos Aires].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Weiskopf, Tom

Score

272 (-16)

Prize money

$40,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Doral-Eastern Open (March 9-12). Second-placed Jack Nicklaus (USA) finished 1 shot behind Tom Weiskopf (USA). [Blue Monster course, Doral Resort, Miami, FL].

1977
America
277 (-11)
$50,000
Kemper Insurance

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Weiskopf, Tom

Score

277 (-11)

Prize money

$50,000

Title sponsor

Kemper Insurance

Played as the Kemper Open (June 2-5). Second-placed George Burns (USA) and Bill Rogers (USA) finished 2 shots behind Tom Weiskopf (USA), who recorded the last of his three wins in this event. [Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, NC].

1975
America
275 (-9)
$45,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Weiskopf, Tom

Score

275 (-9)

Prize money

$45,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Greater Greensboro Open (April 3-6). Second-placed Al Geiberger (USA) finished 3 shots behind Weiskopf (USA). [Sedgefield CC, Greensboro, NC].

1975
America
274 (-6)
$40,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Weiskopf, Tom

Score

274 (-6)

Prize money

$40,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Canadian Open (July 24-27). Tom Weiskopf (USA) beat Jack Nicklaus (USA) with a birdie at the first playoff hole. [Blue course, Royal Montreal GC, Ile Bizard, Montreal].

1973
America
Whitemarsh Valley
274 (-14)
$30,000
IVB

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Weiskopf, Tom

Venue

Whitemarsh Valley

Score

274 (-14)

Prize money

$30,000

Title sponsor

IVB

Played as the IVB Philadelphia Golf Classic (Jun 7-10). Second-placed Jim Barber (USA) finished 4 shots behind Tom Weiskopf (USA), who recorded his third win in his last four starts, and second win in this event in three years. [Whitemarsh Valley CC, Lafayette Hill, nr Philadelphia, PA].

Category

Africa

Winner (holder)

Weiskopf, Tom

Score

273

Prize money

Title sponsor

Beck's

Played as the Beck's PGA Championship. Won by Weiskopf (USA). [The Wanderers GC, Ilovo, Johannesburg, RSA].

1973
Majors
276 (-12)
£5,500
R&A

Category

Majors

Winner (holder)

Weiskopf, Tom

Score

276 (-12)

Prize money

£5,500

Title sponsor

R&A

The Open Championship (102nd) (July 11-14). Second-placed Johnny Miller (USA) and Neil Coles (Eng) finished 3 shots behind Weiskopf (USA). [Old Course, Royal Troon GC, Troon, Ayrshire].

1973
America
Richelieu Valley
278 (-6)
$35,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Weiskopf, Tom

Venue

Richelieu Valley

Score

278 (-6)

Prize money

$35,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Canadian Open (July 26-29). Second-placed Forrest Fezler (USA) finished 2 shots behind Tom Weiskopf (USA), who recorded his second win in this event in three years. [Vallée du Richelieu GC, Sainte-Julie, nr Montreal, Québec].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Weiskopf, Tom

Score

276 (-4)

Prize money

$30,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Colonial National Invitation (May 10-13). Second-placed Bruce Crampton (Aus) and defending champion Jerry Heard (USA) finished 1 shot behind Tom Weiskopf (USA). [Colonial CC, Ft Worth, TX].

1973
America
271 (-17)
$40,000
Kemper Insurance

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Weiskopf, Tom

Score

271 (-17)

Prize money

$40,000

Title sponsor

Kemper Insurance

Played as the Kemper Open (May 31-Jun 3). Second-placed Lanny Wadkins (USA) finished 3 shots behind Tom Weiskopf (USA), who recorded his second win in three years in this event. [Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, NC].

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Weiskopf, Tom

Score

137 (-3)

Prize money

$50,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the World Series of Golf (Sept 8/9; unofficial four-man 36-hole exhibition event for the season's four major championship winners). First (on 137): Tom Weiskopf (USA; British Open). Second (140): Jack Nicklaus (USA; US PGA) and Johnny Miller (USA; US Open). Fourth (149): Tommy Aaron (USA; Masters). [South course, Firestone CC, Akron, Ohio].

1972
America
278 (-10)
$52,000
Jackie Gleason

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Weiskopf, Tom

Score

278 (-10)

Prize money

$52,000

Title sponsor

Jackie Gleason

Played as the inaugural Jackie Gleason Inverrary Classic (Feb 24-27). Second-placed Jack Nicklaus (USA) finished 1 shot behind Weiskopf (USA), who posted his fifth PGA Tour win. [East course, Inverrary CC, Ft Lauderdale, FL].

1972
Europe
4 & 3
£8,500
Piccadilly

Category

Europe

Winner (holder)

Weiskopf, Tom

Score

4 & 3

Prize money

£8,500

Title sponsor

Piccadilly

Played as the Piccadilly World Match Play Championship (Oct 12-14; field of eight players). Weiskopf (USA) beat Lee Trevino (USA) 4 and 3 in the 36-hole final. [West course, Wentworth Club, Virginia Water, Surrey].

1971
America
Whitemarsh Valley
274 (-14)
$30,000
IVB

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Weiskopf, Tom

Venue

Whitemarsh Valley

Score

274 (-14)

Prize money

$30,000

Title sponsor

IVB

Played as the IVB Philadelphia Golf Classic (Aug 19-22). Second-placed Dave Hill (USA) finished 1 shot behind Tom Weiskopf (USA). [Whitemarsh Valley CC, Lafayette Hill, nr Philadelphia, PA].

1971
America
277 (-11)
$30,000
Kemper Insurance

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Weiskopf, Tom

Score

277 (-11)

Prize money

$30,000

Title sponsor

Kemper Insurance

Played as the Kemper Open (June 10-13). Tom Weiskopf (USA) beat Dale Douglass (USA), Gary Player (RSA) and Lee Trevino (USA) with a birdie at the first playoff hole. [Quail Hollow Club, Charlotte, NC].

1968
America
273 (-15)
$30,000
Andy Williams

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Weiskopf, Tom

Score

273 (-15)

Prize money

$30,000

Title sponsor

Andy Williams

Played as the Andy Williams San Diego Open Invitational (Feb 8-11). Second-placed Al Geiberger (USA) finished 1 shot behind first-time PGA Tour winner Weiskopf (USA). [South course, Torrey Pines, La Jolla, CA].

1968
America
Warwick Hills
280 (-8)
$25,000
Buick

Category

America

Winner (holder)

Weiskopf, Tom

Venue

Warwick Hills

Score

280 (-8)

Prize money

$25,000

Title sponsor

Buick

Played as the Buick Open Invitational (July 4-7). Second-placed Mike Hill (USA) finished 1 shot behind Tom Weiskopf (USA), who recorded his second PGA Tour win. [Warwick Hills G&CC, Grand Blanc, Michigan].

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Marco Simone Golf & Country Club

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.

Prince's Golf Club, Kent (UK)

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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