Eddie Pearce
Encyclopedia
Eddie Pearce is an American professional golfer
.
Pearce was born in Fort Myers, Florida
and grew up in Temple Terrace, Florida
, where, as an infant, his first golf club was placed in his hands by the legendary Babe Didrikson Zaharias. By the time he was 12, he was shooting in the 60s and was featured as a child prodigy in Professional Golfer Magazine. He attended C. Leon King High School
in nearby Tampa, Florida
and was on the same high school golf team as PGA Tour
veteran Gary Koch
.
As an amateur, Pearce won the Florida Boys Junior Championship for his age division in three straight years (1964–1966). He also won his age division at the "Future Masters" Tournament in seven straight years (1963–1969).
Pearce then went on to win the 1968 U.S. Junior Amateur, the Florida Open
in 1970 and was awarded a golf scholarship to Wake Forest University
. In 1971, Pearce was one hole away from winning the U.S. Amateur when Gary Cowan
holed a long iron shot from the rough for an eagle and the win. Pearce won the 1971 North and South Amateur. He was a two-time All-American at Wake Forest (third team in 1971 and second team in 1972). He left after his sophomore year and turned pro, with many experts calling him the "next Jack Nicklaus."
Pearce played on the PGA Tour from 1974 to 1981 and again in 1993. He also played on the Ben Hogan Tour (now Nationwide Tour) in 1992.
In 1974, the inaugural year of The Players Championship
, Pearce finished in 9th place. In the 1976 Masters Tournament, Pearce was two-under par after the first two rounds before ending up the tournament tied for 28th.
Although he never won on the PGA Tour, Pearce had four runner-up finishes. In 1974, he finished second at the Hawaiian Open (behind Jack Nicklaus
) and second at the Tallahassee Open (behind Allen Miller
). The following year, he finished second at the Jackie Gleason-Inverrary Classic (behind Bob Murphy
). Then in 1979, he finished second at the San Antonio Texas Open (behind Lou Graham).
In 2002, Pearce tried to qualify for the U.S. Senior Open but missed by one stroke and was named an alternate.
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;...
.
Pearce was born in Fort Myers, Florida
Fort Myers, Florida
Fort Myers is the county seat and commercial center of Lee County, Florida, United States. Its population was 62,298 in the 2010 census, a 29.23 percent increase over the 2000 figure....
and grew up in Temple Terrace, Florida
Temple Terrace, Florida
Temple Terrace is an incorporated city in northeastern Hillsborough County, Florida, USA, adjacent to Tampa. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 24,541. It is the third and smallest incorporated municipality in Hillsborough County...
, where, as an infant, his first golf club was placed in his hands by the legendary Babe Didrikson Zaharias. By the time he was 12, he was shooting in the 60s and was featured as a child prodigy in Professional Golfer Magazine. He attended C. Leon King High School
C. Leon King High School
C. Leon King High School, named in honor of C. Leon King a distinguished and respected member of the Hillsborough County Board of Public Instruction for 18 years opened in 1960 with 58 faculty members and 960 students. It is located at 6815 North 56th Street, Tampa, FL 33610.King High School is a...
in nearby Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
and was on the same high school golf team as 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...
veteran Gary Koch
Gary Koch
Gary D. Koch is an American professional golfer, sportscaster and golf course designer, who formerly played on the PGA Tour, Nationwide Tour and Champions Tour.- Early years :...
.
As an amateur, Pearce won the Florida Boys Junior Championship for his age division in three straight years (1964–1966). He also won his age division at the "Future Masters" Tournament in seven straight years (1963–1969).
Pearce then went on to win the 1968 U.S. Junior Amateur, the Florida Open
Florida Open
The Florida Open is the Florida state open golf tournament, open to both amateur and professional golfers. It is now organized by the Florida State Golf Association . It has been played annually since 1942 at a variety of courses around the state...
in 1970 and was awarded a golf scholarship to Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational university in the U.S. state of North Carolina, founded in 1834. The university received its name from its original location in Wake Forest, north of Raleigh, North Carolina, the state capital. The Reynolda Campus, the university's main campus, is...
. In 1971, Pearce was one hole away from winning the U.S. Amateur when Gary Cowan
Gary Cowan
Gary Cowan is a Canadian golfer who has achieved outstanding results at the highest class in amateur competition.-Biography:...
holed a long iron shot from the rough for an eagle and the win. Pearce won the 1971 North and South Amateur. He was a two-time All-American at Wake Forest (third team in 1971 and second team in 1972). He left after his sophomore year and turned pro, with many experts calling him the "next Jack Nicklaus."
Pearce played on the PGA Tour from 1974 to 1981 and again in 1993. He also played on the Ben Hogan Tour (now Nationwide Tour) in 1992.
In 1974, the inaugural year of The Players Championship
The Players Championship
The Players Championship is an annual golf tournament on the PGA Tour.Originally known as the Tournament Players Championship, the inaugural event in 1974 was played at Atlanta Country Club in Marietta, Georgia before moving to the Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas in 1975 and Inverrary...
, Pearce finished in 9th place. In the 1976 Masters Tournament, Pearce was two-under par after the first two rounds before ending up the tournament tied for 28th.
Although he never won on the PGA Tour, Pearce had four runner-up finishes. In 1974, he finished second at the Hawaiian Open (behind Jack Nicklaus
Jack Nicklaus
Jack William Nicklaus , nicknamed "The Golden Bear", is an American professional golfer. He won 18 career major championships on the PGA Tour over a span of 25 years and is widely regarded as one of the greatest professional golfers of all time. In addition to his 18 Majors, he was runner-up a...
) and second at the Tallahassee Open (behind Allen Miller
Allen Miller (golfer)
Allen Lane Miller III is an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour in the 1970s and 1980s.Miller was born in San Diego, California. He had a distinguished amateur career. He attended the University of Georgia, and was a member of the golf team...
). The following year, he finished second at the Jackie Gleason-Inverrary Classic (behind Bob Murphy
Bob Murphy (golfer)
Robert Joseph Murphy, Jr. is an American professional golfer who was formerly a member of the PGA Tour and currently plays on the Champions Tour. Murphy has won 21 tournaments as a professional.-Early years:...
). Then in 1979, he finished second at the San Antonio Texas Open (behind Lou Graham).
In 2002, Pearce tried to qualify for the U.S. Senior Open but missed by one stroke and was named an alternate.