Ben Crenshaw

Height:  5 ft 9 in

Born:  January 11, 1952

College:  University of Texas

Turned Pro:  1973

With 19 PGA tour wins, two Masters Championships and the leading one of the largest comebacks in Ryder Cup history, Ben Crenshaw has written his name in the annals of golf history.
 
Ben was born in Austin, Texas and played collegiate golf in his hometown at the University of Texas.  Crenshaw was a college phenom – winning three individual NCAA titles.
 
Crenshaw turned pro in 1973.  Crenshaw didn’t just make the cut, he won the tournament – becoming only the second man in PGA tour history to win in his first career start.
 
Winning consistently throughout the 70’s and 80’s, Crenshaw’s major breakthrough occurred at the 1984 Masters.  Crenshaw, regarded as one of the finest putters in the game, was propelled to victory after draining a 40-foot putt for birdie on Augusta National’s difficult 10th hole.
 
Crenshaw came close in several other Majors.  He finished second at the Masters in 1976 and tied for third at the 1975 U.S. Open.  Crenshaw lost a playoff to David Graham for the 1979 PGA Championship.
 
Crenshaw won his second masters title, and his final PGA tour victory, in 1995.  He channeled the emotional loss of his mentor, Harvey Penick, a week earlier by holding on to defeat Davis Love III by a single shot.
 
Crenshaw is considered one of the finest putters in history.  He has utilized aWilson 8882 blade putter.
 
The World Golf Hall of Fame inducted Crenshaw into the Hall in 2002. Crenshaw is married to his wife Julie and together they have three daughters – Claire, Anna and Katherine.
 
Crenshaw also has become the unofficial host of the pre-tournament Champions Dinner each year at the Masters.  It would be hard to think of a more fitting tribute to the man known as “Gentle Ben.”