25 Facts About Billy Casper

1.

Billy Casper was one of the most prolific tournament winners on the PGA Tour from the mid-1950s to the mid-1970s.

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2.

Billy Casper won three major championships, represented the United States on a then-record eight Ryder Cup teams, and holds the US record for career Ryder Cup points won.

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3.

Billy Casper served as Ryder Cup captain in 1979, was twice PGA Player of the Year, was twice leading money winner, and won five Vardon Trophy awards for the lowest seasonal scoring average on the Tour.

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4.

Never a flashy gallery favorite, Billy Casper developed his own self-contained style, relying on solid technique, determination, concentration, and perseverance.

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5.

Billy Casper was inducted to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1978.

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6.

Billy Casper caddied during his youth at San Diego Country Club to earn money for golf, and spent one semester at the University of Notre Dame on a golf scholarship, after graduating from high school.

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7.

Billy Casper returned to San Diego to marry his wife Shirley in 1952.

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8.

Billy Casper competed frequently as an amateur against fellow San Diegan Gene Littler.

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9.

Billy Casper had 51 PGA Tour wins in his career, with his first coming in 1956.

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10.

Billy Casper's victories helped him finish third in McCormack's World Golf Rankings in 1968,1969 and 1970, the first three years they were published.

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11.

Billy Casper won three major championships: the 1959 and 1966 US Opens, and the 1970 Masters Tournament.

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12.

Billy Casper won the Vardon Trophy for lowest scoring average five times: 1960,1963,1965,1966, and 1968.

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13.

Billy Casper was a member of the United States team in the Ryder Cup eight times: 1961,1963,1965,1967,1969,1971,1973,1975, and a non-playing captain in 1979.

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14.

Billy Casper has scored the most points in the Ryder Cup by an American player.

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15.

Billy Casper won at least one PGA Tour event for 16 straight seasons, from 1956 to 1971, the third-longest streak, trailing only Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, who each won on Tour in 17 straight years.

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16.

Much has been written in the annals of golf that Billy Casper was the most underrated star in golf history, and the best modern golfer who never received the accolades he deserved.

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17.

Billy Casper is considered by many to have been the best putter of his era.

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18.

Billy Casper's 20-year period of winning on the PGA Tour—between 1956 and 1975—was an era of extraordinary growth in tournament purses, television coverage and depth of competition.

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19.

Billy Casper faced legends such as Palmer, Nicklaus, Sam Snead, Cary Middlecoff, Gary Player and Lee Trevino when they were all at or near their peaks.

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20.

Billy Casper was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1978.

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21.

Billy Casper was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, joining in early 1966 at age 34, at the height of his playing career.

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22.

Billy Casper died at age 83 in 2015 of a heart attack at his home in Springville, Utah.

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23.

Billy Casper was survived by his wife of more than 60 years, Shirley Franklin Casper, 11 children, six of whom are adopted, 71 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.

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24.

Billy Casper designed the Hidden Oaks Golf Course, 9 holes of a beloved Par 3 in a residential neighborhood just north of Santa Barbara, CA.

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25.

Billy Casper had a cameo appearance in the movie, Now You See Him, Now You Don't.

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