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Hale Irwin was born on June 3, 1945 in Joplin, Missouri. Hale grew up learning golf on the local golf courses in Joplin, including Schifferdecker golf course. He attended the University of Colorado in 1965. While at Colorado, Hale showed his athleticism in both golf and football. He won the 1967 N.C.A.A. Championship in golf. He started as quarterback during his sophomore year, and made the All-Big Eight Conference as a defensive back his last two years. While at the University, he earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing.
Hale joined the PGA Tour in 1968 through qualifying school. His first tour win came in 1971 at the Heritage Classic held at Harbor Town Golf Club. He would come back to win the same tournament two years later in 1973. His third tour win would be among his most memorable. In 1974, Hale won the U.S. Open at Winged Foot. The Open was coined “Massacre at Winged Foot,” due to what was perhaps the most difficult conditions in U.S. Open history. Hale won with a score of seven over par. He won the U.S. Open twice more in 1979 at Inverness, and in 1990 at Medinah. The Open win of 1990 was at the age of 45, making him the oldest person to win the tournament. He would win 20 times on tour and has more than 10 wins abroad. He was a member of the Ryder Cup five times in 1975, 1977, 1979, 1981 and 1991. His lifetime Ryder Cup record was an impressive 13-5-2.
Hale started work on the Senior P.G.A. in 1995 and was chosen the Senior P.G.A. Rookie of the Year with two wins. In 1998 he was voted Senior P.G.A. Player of the Year due to his seven tour victories. Hale has had an impressive senior career by winning the Senior U.S. Open twice in 1998 and 2000, and winning the Senior P.G.A. Championship four times. He also is involved in designing golf courses. Hale was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1992. Two years later, in 1994, he was admitted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, and in 2001 to the Joplin Golf Hall of Fame.
Career Victories
1971 Sea Pines Heritage Classic
1973 Sea Pines Heritage Classic
1974 U.S. Open
1975 Atlanta Classic
1975 Western Open
1976 Glen Campbell Los Angeles Open
1976 Florida Citrus Open Invitational
1977 Atlanta Classic
1977 Colgate Hall of Fame Golf Classic
1977 San Antonio Texas Open
1979 U.S. Open
1981 Hawaiian Open
1981 Buick Open
1982 Honda Inverrary Classic
1983 Memorial Tournament
1984 Bing Crosby Pro-Am
1985 Memorial Tournament
1990 U.S. Open
1990 Buick Classic
1994 MCI Heritage Classic
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