Felice Torza
Encyclopedia
Felice Joseph Torza was an American
professional golfer
who played in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s.
Torza was born in Hartford, Connecticut
. Like most of the golfers of his generation, he earned his living primarily as a club professional during his regular career years. Torza worked as the head club pro at the Aurora Country Club
in Aurora, Illinois
for 28 years.
Torza was the runner-up in the 1953 PGA Championship
. He was defeated by Walter Burkemo
(2 and 1) in the match play
era.
Torza was nicknamed Toy Tiger by his fellow golfers due to his fiercely competitive nature and diminutive stature.
Torza was inducted into the Connecticut State Golf Association's Hall of Fame in 1965. He was awarded the Illinois PGA Professional of the Year award in 1968.
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 played in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s.
Torza was born in Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
. Like most of the golfers of his generation, he earned his living primarily as a club professional during his regular career years. Torza worked as the head club pro at the Aurora Country Club
Aurora Country Club
Aurora Country Club is an 18-hole golf course located in Aurora, Illinois.The original clubhouse was a stone farmhouse remodeled. The clubhouse burned down in 1941....
in Aurora, Illinois
Aurora, Illinois
Aurora is the second most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois, and the 112th largest city in the United States. A suburb of Chicago, located west of the Loop, its population in 2010 was 197,899. Originally founded within Kane County, Aurora's city limits have expanded greatly over the past...
for 28 years.
Torza was the runner-up in the 1953 PGA Championship
PGA Championship
The PGA Championship is an annual golf tournament conducted by the PGA of America as part of the PGA Tour. It is one of the four major championships in men's professional golf, and is the golf season's final major, usually played in mid-August, customarily four weeks after The Open Championship...
. He was defeated by Walter Burkemo
Walter Burkemo
Walter E. Burkemo was an American professional golfer, best known for winning the 1953 PGA Championship....
(2 and 1) in the match play
Match play
Match play is a scoring system for golf in which a player, or team, earns a point for each hole in which they have bested their opponents; this is as opposed to stroke play, in which the total number of strokes is counted over one or more rounds of 18 holes...
era.
Torza was nicknamed Toy Tiger by his fellow golfers due to his fiercely competitive nature and diminutive stature.
Torza was inducted into the Connecticut State Golf Association's Hall of Fame in 1965. He was awarded the Illinois PGA Professional of the Year award in 1968.
Professional wins
- 1946 Connecticut OpenConnecticut OpenThis article is about the Connecticut Open; for information on the former Nationwide Tour event the New Haven Open, see New Haven Open.The Connecticut Open is the Connecticut state open golf tournament, open to both amateur and professional golfers. It is organized by the Connecticut State Golf...
- 1947 Rhode Island OpenRhode Island OpenThe Rhode Island Open is the Rhode Island state open golf tournament, open to both amateur and professional golfers. It is organized by the Rhode Island Golf Association...
- 1950 Illinois Open ChampionshipIllinois Open ChampionshipThe Illinois Open Championship is a golf tournament that is administered by the Illinois PGA . The "state championship of golf" is a 54-hole championship over three days to determine the finest player in the state of Illinois. The tournament is open to professionals and amateurs with a handicap of...
- 1958 Illinois Open ChampionshipIllinois Open ChampionshipThe Illinois Open Championship is a golf tournament that is administered by the Illinois PGA . The "state championship of golf" is a 54-hole championship over three days to determine the finest player in the state of Illinois. The tournament is open to professionals and amateurs with a handicap of...
- 1965 Illinois Match Play Championship