Gary Koch

Height: 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)

Weight: 170 lb (77 kg; 12 st)

Birthday: November 21, 1952

College: University of Florida

Year turned pro: 1975

Birthplace: Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA

Country: USA

Sponsor: –

Born in Baton Rouge in Louisiana, in 1952, Koch grew up in Florida after his family moved to the state. He studied at Leon King High School, in Tampa, and was a member of the school team that won the Florida High School title in 1969. That same year he won the Florida Open. Koch’s success continued the following year, when he won US Junior Amateur.

After high school Koch began studying at the University of Florida in Gainesville, on an athletic scholarship. While playing on Buster Bishop's Florida Gators men's golf team, Koch was three-time All American.  While Koch was on the team they won SEC championships in 1973 and 1974, as well as an NCAA Championship in 1973. As well as his success with the team, Koch also twice received a medal in the SEC tournament, and finished runner-up at the NCAA championship tournament in 1973.

After turning professional in 1975, Koch played on the PGA Tour in the 1970s and 1980s. He achieved his best results in 1984, when he won two titles, the Isuzu-Andy Williams San Diego Open and the Bay Hill Classic, and finished the season in 17th place on the money list.

As he reached his late forties, Koch began playing on the Nationwide Tour, before commencing his Champions Tour career in 2002.

Away from the course, Koch has been involved with sports casting for ESPN and NBC. He has also developed skills as a golf course designer. Koch assisted with the design of the front nine at “The Forest” course at The Eagles Golf Course in Odessa, Florida.

Koch has also made his home in the state, in Tampa.

As of the end of 2014, Koch had achieved six wins on the PGA Tour, amassing total prize money of $1,629,484.