Gary McCord
Encyclopedia
Gary Dennis McCord is an American professional golfer
, commentator, author, and actor.
, California
and raised in southern California. He was a two-time Division II All-America
n at UC Riverside
. He won the NCAA Division II individual championship
in 1970 and turned professional in 1971.
McCord's best two finishes on the PGA Tour
were at the Greater Milwaukee Open, placing second in both 1975 and 1977. During his years on the PGA Tour, he had nearly two dozen top-10 finishes.
McCord was involved in an embarrassing episode during the 1984 FedEx St. Jude Classic
in Memphis. When lining up a putt on the 15th green, McCord's pants split open, exposing his backside as he was not wearing any underwear. McCord wrapped a towel around his midriff, and went off to find a replacement pair of pants. Eventually Peter Jacobsen
offered McCord his rain pants for a "fee" of $20.
McCord credits golf pro Brad Britton for teaching him the ins and outs of the golf swing and especially the mental game.
as a golf analyst, a capacity in which he still serves. He is noted for his outspokenness, a trait that has seen him barred from the CBS commentary team for The Masters. During the network's coverage of the 1994 Masters, he remarked that the 17th green was so fast that it seemed to be "bikini-waxed
", and that "body bag
s" were located behind that green for players who missed their approach shots. Augusta National Golf Club
, which organizes The Masters, used its influence with CBS to have him removed from The Masters commentary team. While McCord has continued to cover virtually all other golf events aired by CBS, he has yet to return to Augusta with the network.
Aside from his CBS commentary duties, McCord also plays on the Champions Tour
. After turning 50 in May 1998, he won his first event at the Toshiba Senior Classic in March 1999, and also won that year's Ingersoll-Rand Senior Tour Championship. Back in 1991, he won the Gateway Open
on the Ben Hogan Tour, the second-tier tour in the U.S., now called the Nationwide Tour
.
McCord has also written two books, Just a Range Ball in a Box of Titleists and Golf for Dummies. In 1996, he appeared as himself in the Kevin Costner
movie Tin Cup
. He and Peter Kostis
are partners in the Kostis/McCord Learning Center in Scottsdale, Arizona
. He is also a co-announcer on the EA Sports
' Tiger Woods PGA Tour
series along with David Feherty
.
, Arizona
and Edwards
, Colorado
.
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;...
, commentator, author, and actor.
Early life and career
McCord was born in San GabrielSan Gabriel, California
San Gabriel is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is named after the Mission San Gabriel Arcángel, founded by Junipero Serra. The city grew outward from the mission and in 1852 became the original township of Los Angeles County. San Gabriel was incorporated in 1913...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and raised in southern California. He was a two-time Division II All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
n at UC Riverside
University of California, Riverside
The University of California, Riverside, commonly known as UCR or UC Riverside, is a public research university and one of the ten general campuses of the University of California system. UCR is consistently ranked as one of the most ethnically and economically diverse universities in the United...
. He won the NCAA Division II individual championship
NCAA Division II Men's Golf Championships
The NCAA Division II Men's Golf Championships, played in late May, is an annual competition in U.S. men's collegiate golf. It is a stroke play team competition, but there is also an award for the lowest scoring individual competitor. Many of the individual champions have gone on to successful...
in 1970 and turned professional in 1971.
McCord's best two finishes 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...
were at the Greater Milwaukee Open, placing second in both 1975 and 1977. During his years on the PGA Tour, he had nearly two dozen top-10 finishes.
McCord was involved in an embarrassing episode during the 1984 FedEx St. Jude Classic
FedEx St. Jude Classic
The FedEx St. Jude Classic is a regular golf tournament on the PGA Tour. It has been played annually in Memphis, Tennessee since 1958. It is currently played at TPC at Southwind.In 2011, the total purse was $5,600,000, with $1,008,000 going to the winner....
in Memphis. When lining up a putt on the 15th green, McCord's pants split open, exposing his backside as he was not wearing any underwear. McCord wrapped a towel around his midriff, and went off to find a replacement pair of pants. Eventually Peter Jacobsen
Peter Jacobsen
Peter Erling Jacobsen is an American professional golfer, who has played on the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour. He has won seven events on the PGA Tour and two events on the Champions Tour, both majors.-Early years:...
offered McCord his rain pants for a "fee" of $20.
McCord credits golf pro Brad Britton for teaching him the ins and outs of the golf swing and especially the mental game.
Broadcasting and writing career
At age 37 in 1986, McCord joined CBS SportsCBS Sports
CBS Sports is a division of CBS Broadcasting which airs sporting events on the American television network. Its headquarters are in the CBS Building on West 52nd Street in midtown Manhattan, New York City, with programs produced out of Studio 43 at the CBS Broadcast Center on West 57th Street.CBS...
as a golf analyst, a capacity in which he still serves. He is noted for his outspokenness, a trait that has seen him barred from the CBS commentary team for The Masters. During the network's coverage of the 1994 Masters, he remarked that the 17th green was so fast that it seemed to be "bikini-waxed
Bikini waxing
Bikini waxing is the epilation of body hair in and around the pubic region, commonly by women, by the use of wax. With certain styles of women's swimwear, pubic hair may become visible around the crotch area of a swimsuit. Visible pubic hair is widely culturally disapproved of and considered to be...
", and that "body bag
Body bag
A body bag is a non-porous bag designed to contain a human body, used for the storage and transportation of corpses. Body bags can also be used for the storage of corpses within morgues. Before purpose-made body bags were available, cotton mattress covers were sometimes used, particularly in...
s" were located behind that green for players who missed their approach shots. Augusta National Golf Club
Augusta National Golf Club
Augusta National Golf Club, located in Augusta, Georgia, is a famous men's golf club. Founded by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts and designed by Alister MacKenzie on the site of a former indigo plantation, the club opened for play in January 1933. Since 1934, it has played host to the annual...
, which organizes The Masters, used its influence with CBS to have him removed from The Masters commentary team. While McCord has continued to cover virtually all other golf events aired by CBS, he has yet to return to Augusta with the network.
Aside from his CBS commentary duties, McCord also plays on 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...
. After turning 50 in May 1998, he won his first event at the Toshiba Senior Classic in March 1999, and also won that year's Ingersoll-Rand Senior Tour Championship. Back in 1991, he won the Gateway Open
Gateway Open
The Gateway Open was a golf tournament on the Nationwide Tour. It ran from 1990 to 1991. It was played at Gateway Country Club in Fort Myers, Florida.In 1991 the winner earned $20,000.-External links:...
on the Ben Hogan Tour, the second-tier tour in the U.S., now called the Nationwide Tour
Nationwide Tour
The Nationwide Tour is the developmental tour for the U.S.-based PGA Tour, and features professional golfers who have either failed to score well enough at that level's Qualifying School to earn their PGA Tour card, or who have done so but then failed to win enough money to stay at that level...
.
McCord has also written two books, Just a Range Ball in a Box of Titleists and Golf for Dummies. In 1996, he appeared as himself in the Kevin Costner
Kevin Costner
Kevin Michael Costner is an American actor, singer, musician, producer, director, and businessman. He has been nominated for three BAFTA Awards, won two Academy Awards, and two Golden Globe Awards. Costner's roles include Lt. John J...
movie Tin Cup
Tin Cup
Tin Cup is a 1996 romantic comedy film co-written and directed by Ron Shelton, and starring Kevin Costner and Rene Russo with Cheech Marin and Don Johnson in major supporting roles.-Synopsis:...
. He and Peter Kostis
Peter Kostis
Peter Kostis is an American golf analyst and instructor.Kostis is a world-renowned golf instructor and has been a member of the Golf Digest teaching staff for over 20 years. Among his many students are Paul Casey, Chez Reavie, Bernhard Langer, Steve Elkington, Dan Marino, Maury Povich, and Mike...
are partners in the Kostis/McCord Learning Center in Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale is a city in the eastern part of Maricopa County, Arizona, United States, adjacent to Phoenix. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2010 the population of the city was 217,385...
. He is also a co-announcer on the EA Sports
EA Sports
EA Sports is a brand of Electronic Arts that creates and develops sports video games. Formerly a marketing gimmick of Electronic Arts, in which they tried to mimic real-life sports networks by calling themselves "EA Sports Network" with pictures or endorsements of real commentators such as John...
' Tiger Woods PGA Tour
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2006
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 06 is a golf video game in the Tiger Woods PGA Tour series available for PlayStation Portable, PlayStation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360, GameCube, Mobile phones, and PC....
series along with David Feherty
David Feherty
David Feherty is a former professional golfer on the European Tour and PGA Tour. He now works as a writer and broadcaster with CBS Sports and Golf Channel.Feherty was born in Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland...
.
Personal life
McCord lives with his wife, Diane, in Paradise ValleyParadise Valley, Arizona
Paradise Valley is a small, affluent town in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. According to the 2005 Census Bureau, the population of the town was 14,558. Despite the town's relatively small area and population compared to other municipalities in the Phoenix metropolitan area, Paradise...
, Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
and Edwards
Edwards, Colorado
Edwards is a census-designated place in Eagle County, Colorado, United States. Edwards is the principal community of the Edwards Micropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 10,266 at the 2010 census...
, Colorado
Colorado
Colorado is a U.S. state that encompasses much of the Rocky Mountains as well as the northeastern portion of the Colorado Plateau and the western edge of the Great Plains...
.
Champions Tour wins
| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning Score | Margin of Victory |
Runner(s)-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mar 14, 1999 1999 Senior PGA Tour The 1999 Senior PGA Tour was the 20th season since the Senior PGA Tour officially began in 1980 . The season consisted of 38 official money events with purses totalling $48,900,000, including four majors. Bruce Fleisher won the most tournaments, seven... |
Toshiba Senior Classic | Playoff |  Allen DoyleAllen Doyle Allen Michael Doyle is an American golfer who currently plays on the Champions Tour.Doyle was born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island and raised in the Boston suburb of Norwood, Massachusetts. He attended Catholic Memorial High School in West Roxbury, Massachusetts, and Norwich University in Vermont... , Al GeibergerAl Geiberger Allen Lee Geiberger, Sr. is an American professional golfer who has won numerous golf tournaments.Geiberger was born in Red Bluff, California... , John JacobsJohn Jacobs (American golfer) John Alexander Jacobs is an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour and currently plays on the Champions Tour. Jacobs is the younger brother of professional golfer Tommy Jacobs.... |
|
| 2 | Nov 7, 1999 1999 Senior PGA Tour The 1999 Senior PGA Tour was the 20th season since the Senior PGA Tour officially began in 1980 . The season consisted of 38 official money events with purses totalling $48,900,000, including four majors. Bruce Fleisher won the most tournaments, seven... |
Ingersoll-Rand Senior Tour Championship | 1 stroke | Bruce Fleisher Bruce Fleisher -Early years and amateur career:Fleisher was born in Union City, Tennessee. He became involved in golf at age 7 by working as a caddie with his two brothers. Fleisher attended Miami-Dade Junior College and Furman University. In 1968 at age 19, he became the third youngest player to win the U.S.... , Larry NelsonLarry Nelson Larry Gene Nelson is an American professional golfer who has won numerous tournaments at both the PGA Tour and Champions Tour level.Nelson was born in Fort Payne, Alabama and grew up in Acworth, Georgia, northwest of Atlanta... |