Donnie Hammond

Birthday: April 1, 1957

College: Jacksonville University

Year Turned Pro: 1979

Birthplace: Frederick, Maryland

Maryland’s Donnie Hammond was a journeyman professional golfer who occasionally had flashes of brilliance during a career that spanned three decades.

Hammond played collegiate golf at Jacksonville University. He was a four-year letter winner and also was the individual medalist at the Sun Belt Conference Tournament his senior year.

After a few years on the mini-tours, Hammond earned his PGA Tour card at their 1982 qualifying school tournament. Hammond didn’t just earn his card, he completely lapped the field, winning by a record 14 strokes. Hammond stayed on the PGA Tour until the late 1990’s.

His first win came at the 1986 Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. Hammond also performed well in golf’s Major championships that year. He tied for 11thplace at the Masters and also tied for 11th at that year’s PGA Championship.

In 1989, Hammond won his second PGA title in nearly record fashion. He won the Texas Open, defeating Paul Azinger by 7 strokes and shooting 258 for the four rounds. The total was within one shot of the Tour’s scoring record at the time.

Hammond’s best chance at a Major came at the 1992 Open Championship at Muirfield. A sizzling second round 65 put Hammond into contention. His played steady throughout the weekend but didn’t catch fire again, finishing in a tie for 5th place.

Hammond played on the Buy.com Tour and collected a win there in 2000. In 2007, he turned 50 years old and began playing on the Champions Tour.

Hammond began playing the game thanks to his father’s fascination with the NFL’s Baltimore Colts. Hammond and his father would visit the Colt’s training camp, which was near their hometown, and stop and play 9 holes of golf on their way home.