Don Bies
Encyclopedia
Don Bies is an American
professional golfer
who has won tournaments on the PGA Tour
and the Senior PGA Tour (now known as the Champions Tour
).
Bies was born in Cottonwood, Idaho
. He turned pro in 1957. Bies won the 1975 Sammy Davis Jr.-Greater Hartford Open, and is a 7-time winner of the Washington State PGA Championship. His best finish in a major
was a T-5 at the 1968 U.S. Open
. He last played on the PGA Tour in 1980.
After turning 50 at the end of 1987, Bies joined the Senior PGA Tour, where his fortunes improved dramatically with respect to winning tournaments. He has won numerous events both on the regular Senior PGA Tour and in non-Tour senior events. These wins include a senior major championship
– The Tradition at Desert Mountain in 1989.
Bies was elected a member of the Pacific Northwest PGA Hall of Fame in 1994. He lives in Seattle
with his wife of more than 50 years, Marylin. They have 3 grown children: Karen, Marcy and David; and 8 grandchildren.
PGA Tour playoff record (1-0)
Senior major championship
is shown in bold.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional golfer
Professional golfer
In golf the distinction between amateurs and professionals is rigorously maintained. An amateur who breaches the rules of amateur status may lose his or her amateur status. A golfer who has lost his or her amateur status may not play in amateur competitions until amateur status has been reinstated;...
who has won tournaments on the PGA Tour
PGA Tour
The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
and the Senior PGA Tour (now known as the Champions Tour
Champions Tour
The Champions Tour, a golf tour run by the PGA Tour, hosts a series of events annually in the United States and the United Kingdom for golfers 50 years of age and older. Many of the PGA Tour's most successful golfers have gone on to play on the Champions Tour.The Senior PGA Championship, founded in...
).
Bies was born in Cottonwood, Idaho
Cottonwood, Idaho
Cottonwood is a city in Idaho County, Idaho, United States. The population was 900 at the 2010 census. Cottonwood is just west of U.S. Route 95, between Grangeville and Lewiston.-Cottonwood Butte:...
. He turned pro in 1957. Bies won the 1975 Sammy Davis Jr.-Greater Hartford Open, and is a 7-time winner of the Washington State PGA Championship. His best finish in a major
Men's major golf championships
The men's major golf championships, commonly known as the Major Championships, and often referred to simply as the majors, are the four most prestigious annual tournaments in professional golf...
was a T-5 at the 1968 U.S. Open
U.S. Open (golf)
The United States Open Championship, commonly known as the U.S. Open, is the annual open golf tournament of the United States. It is the second of the four major championships in golf, and is on the official schedule of both the PGA Tour and the European Tour...
. He last played on the PGA Tour in 1980.
After turning 50 at the end of 1987, Bies joined the Senior PGA Tour, where his fortunes improved dramatically with respect to winning tournaments. He has won numerous events both on the regular Senior PGA Tour and in non-Tour senior events. These wins include a senior major championship
Senior major golf championships
Men's professional senior golf is for players aged 50 and above. Golf differs from all other sports in having lucrative competitions for this age group. The leading senior tour is the U.S. based Champions Tour, which was established in 1980 . It has established a roster of five major championships...
– The Tradition at Desert Mountain in 1989.
Bies was elected a member of the Pacific Northwest PGA Hall of Fame in 1994. He lives in Seattle
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
with his wife of more than 50 years, Marylin. They have 3 grown children: Karen, Marcy and David; and 8 grandchildren.
PGA Tour wins (1)
| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning Score | Margin of Victory | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aug 17, 1975 1975 PGA Tour The 1975 PGA Tour season was played from January 9 to October 26. The season consisted of 42 official money events. Jack Nicklaus won the most tournaments, five, and there were eight first-time winners. Johnny Miller won the first two events of the year for the second year in a row... |
Sammy Davis Jr.-Greater Hartford Open | Playoff |  Hubert GreenHubert Green Hubert Myatt Green is an American professional golfer who has won numerous professional golf tournaments at both the PGA Tour and Champions Tour level.... |
PGA Tour playoff record (1-0)
| No. | Year | Tournament | Opponent | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1975 | Sammy Davis Jr.-Greater Hartford Open | Hubert Green Hubert Green Hubert Myatt Green is an American professional golfer who has won numerous professional golf tournaments at both the PGA Tour and Champions Tour level.... |
Won with birdie on second extra hole |
Other wins (5)
this list may be incomplete- 1959 Washington OpenWashington OpenThe Washington Open is the Washington state open golf tournament, open to both amateur and professional golfers. It is organized by the Pacific Northwest section of the PGA of America...
- 1962 Northwest OpenNorthwest OpenThe Northwest Open is golf tournament played in the Pacific Northwest, open to both amateur and professional golfers. It is organized by the Pacific Northwest section of the PGA of America...
- 1980 Washington OpenWashington OpenThe Washington Open is the Washington state open golf tournament, open to both amateur and professional golfers. It is organized by the Pacific Northwest section of the PGA of America...
- 1984 Northwest OpenNorthwest OpenThe Northwest Open is golf tournament played in the Pacific Northwest, open to both amateur and professional golfers. It is organized by the Pacific Northwest section of the PGA of America...
- 1987 Washington OpenWashington OpenThe Washington Open is the Washington state open golf tournament, open to both amateur and professional golfers. It is organized by the Pacific Northwest section of the PGA of America...
Senior PGA Tour wins (7)
- 19881988 Senior PGA TourThe 1988 Senior PGA Tour was the ninth season since the Senior PGA Tour officially began in 1980 . The season consisted of 34 official money events with purses totalling $10,370,000, including three majors. Bob Charles and Gary Player won the most tournaments, five...
(2) Northville Long Island Classic, GTE Kaanapali Classic - 19891989 Senior PGA TourThe 1989 Senior PGA Tour was the 10th season since the Senior PGA Tour officially began in 1980 . The season consisted of 35 official money events with purses totalling $13,345,000 , including four majors. Bob Charles won the most tournaments, five...
(3) Murata Seniors Reunion, The Tradition at Desert Mountain, GTE Kaanapali Classic - 19921992 Senior PGA TourThe 1992 Senior PGA Tour was the 13th season since the Senior PGA Tour officially began in 1980 . The season consisted of 37 official money events with purses totalling $20,600,000, including four majors. Lee Trevino won the most tournaments, five...
(1) PaineWebber Invitational - 19951995 Senior PGA TourThe 1995 Senior PGA Tour was the 16th season since the Senior PGA Tour officially began in 1980 . The season consisted of 38 official money events with purses totalling $33,650,000, including four majors. Jim Colbert and Bob Murphy won the most tournaments, four...
(1) Raley's Senior Gold Rush
Senior major championship
Senior major golf championships
Men's professional senior golf is for players aged 50 and above. Golf differs from all other sports in having lucrative competitions for this age group. The leading senior tour is the U.S. based Champions Tour, which was established in 1980 . It has established a roster of five major championships...
is shown in bold.
Other senior wins (6)
- 1989 Air New Zealand Shell Open, DuPont Cup, Japan vs. U.S. Senior Golf Match
- 1990 Chrysler Cup
- 2004 Pacific Northwest Senior PGA ChampionshipPacific Northwest Senior PGA ChampionshipThe Pacific Northwest Senior PGA Championship, also known as the PNW Senior PGA Championship, is a golf championship for senior players held annually, usually in September in the Pacific Northwest. It is affiliated with the PGA of America...
, Oregon Senior Open
Wins (1)
| Year | Championship | Winning Score | Margin | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | The Tradition at Desert Mountain | −13 (71−70−68−66=275) | 1 stroke |  Gary PlayerGary Player Gary Player DMS; OIG is a South African professional golfer. With his nine major championship victories, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of golf. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. Player has won 165 tournaments on six continents over six... |