Billy Kratzert

Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)

Weight: 205 lb (93 kg; 14.6 st)

Birthday: June 29, 1952

College: University of Georgia

Year turned pro: 1974

Birthplace: Quantico, Virginia, USA

Country: USA

Sponsor: –

Although Kratzert’s father was in service when Kratzert was born in Quantico in 1952, he was head professional at the Fort Wayne Country Club for over twenty years, so golfing talent ran in the family. Kratzert was a talented member of the golf team throughout his time studying at the University of Georgia in Athens. He was an All American in both 1973 and 1974. He is not the only Kratzert sibling to play golf at a high level; his sister Cathy Gerring also plays professionally and has had three wins on LPGA Tour.

After graduating with a degree in Business Administration, Kratzert turned professional in 1974. He quickly became disillusioned after twice failing to gain his Tour card, and briefly quit golf to work as a forklift operator. It was only a matter of months before he returned to the world of golf and was finally successful in securing his PGA Tour card in 1976.

After securing his place on The Tour, Kratzert went on to experience the most success of his career from 1977 to 1980 when he regularly finished high in the money list. In one of those years, 1978, Kratzert finished in joint fifth place at the Masters, and in joint sixth place at the US Open. Although he did not achieve the same level of success, Kratzert continued to play on the PGA Tour until 1997. He has since played, on occasion, on the Champions tour where the best finish he has achieved has been joint tenth place at the Royal Caribbean Golf Classic in 2003.

Since he finished playing, Kratzert has continued to be involved with golf in a professional capacity, but this time as a reporter and commentator at events; working for both ESPN and Turner Sports.

Away from golf Kratzert is a family man, who lives in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida with his wife and their three children.

As of the end of 2014, Kratzert had achieved four wins on the PGA Tour, amassing prize money of $1,396,818.