Jerry Pate

Height: 5 ft. 11 in 

Weight: 180 lbs 

Birthday: 09/16/1953

College: University of Alabama

Turned Pro: 1975

Birthplace: Macon, Georgia

Country:  United States

Sponsor: Adams Golf

Pate was a very successful amateur player. In 1974 he captured the US Amateur Championship and was a part of the winning teams at both the Walker Cup and Eisenhower Trophy in 1975. Having qualified for the US Open as a result of winning the US Amateur, he finished the event as low amateur when he was a tie for 18th. He turned pro in 1975 and proceeded to win the Q School tournament and hence obtain his PGA Tour card.

He had an extremely successful rookie season having won his first PGA Tour win and first Major Championship at the same time. Pate captured the US Open at the Atlanta Athletic Club in his native Georgia. He won emphatically, beating Tom Weiskopf and Al Geiberger by two shots. A month later, Pate won the Canadian Open. He finished the season with eight top 10s and was both Player of the Year (joint) and Rookie of the Year.

Despite playing only 16 events the following season due to injury, Pate managed to once again win twice. He managed to win the 1977 Southern Open by a massive seven shots. He would go on to defend his Southern Open title the following year. Pate would go onto win twice in the 1981 season as well as finishing runner up on three occasions. He finished the year 6th on the money list.

Due to a serious shoulder injury, Pate would never reach his true potential. The 1982 season would bring Pate his eight and last PGA Tour victory despite only being 28 years old. It came at the Players Championship and it was the first time it was held at the TPC at Sawgrass. Pate began a successful career as a commentator and had his own successful golf course design business. He has played sparingly on the Champions Tour and has two wins to his name.