Jim Wiechers
Encyclopedia
James L. Wiechers is an American
professional golfer
who played on the PGA Tour
in the 1960s and 1970s.
Wiechers was born in Oakland, California
. He won the 1962 U.S. Junior Amateur while in high school. He then attended Santa Clara University
and was a member of the golf
team, winning first-team All American honors in 1965. He collected many honors during his amateur career including Golf Digest
s Number One U.S. Amateur award in 1966. Wiechers turned professional and joined the PGA Tour in 1966.
Wiechers played on the PGA Tour from 1966 to 1979. His best years were in the late 1960s through the mid 1970s when he finished on the top-60 money list five times. He won one PGA Tour event during his career: the 1969 West End Classic
.
After leaving the tour, Wiechers first began working in California's Napa Valley wine industry in the 1980s. Then he returned to golf in the 1990s, first as head instructor at McCaffrey's Golf School in San Francisco, then as a teaching pro at Chardonnay Golf Club for 19 years, and finally at Eagle Vines Golf Club. He also coaches the men's and women's golf teams at Napa Valley College
.
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 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...
in the 1960s and 1970s.
Wiechers was born in Oakland, California
Oakland, California
Oakland is a major West Coast port city on San Francisco Bay in the U.S. state of California. It is the eighth-largest city in the state with a 2010 population of 390,724...
. He won the 1962 U.S. Junior Amateur while in high school. He then attended Santa Clara University
Santa Clara University
Santa Clara University is a private, not-for-profit, Jesuit-affiliated university located in Santa Clara, California, United States. Chartered by the state of California and accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, it operates in collaboration with the Society of Jesus , whose...
and was a member of the golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
team, winning first-team All American honors in 1965. He collected many honors during his amateur career including Golf Digest
Golf Digest
Golf Digest is a monthly golf magazine published by Condé Nast Publications in the United States. It is a generalist golf publication covering recreational golf and men's and women's competitive golf. Condé Nast Publications also publishes the more specialized , and Golf World Business. The...
s Number One U.S. Amateur award in 1966. Wiechers turned professional and joined the PGA Tour in 1966.
Wiechers played on the PGA Tour from 1966 to 1979. His best years were in the late 1960s through the mid 1970s when he finished on the top-60 money list five times. He won one PGA Tour event during his career: the 1969 West End Classic
West End Classic
The West End Classic was PGA Tour satellite event that was played at the Grand Bahama Hotel and Country Club in West End on Grand Bahama Island.The tournament was won by Jim Wiechers, a 25-year-old Californian, by two strokes over Al Besselink and Johnny Pott...
.
After leaving the tour, Wiechers first began working in California's Napa Valley wine industry in the 1980s. Then he returned to golf in the 1990s, first as head instructor at McCaffrey's Golf School in San Francisco, then as a teaching pro at Chardonnay Golf Club for 19 years, and finally at Eagle Vines Golf Club. He also coaches the men's and women's golf teams at Napa Valley College
Napa Valley College
Napa Valley College, formerly known as Napa Community College, is one of California's community colleges, located in Napa Valley. The main campus is in Napa, California, with an Upper Valley Campus in St. Helena and a Small Business Development Center in downtown Napa. In 2004-2005, the total...
.
Amateur wins
- 1962 U.S. Junior Amateur
- 1964 Western JuniorWestern JuniorThe Western Junior is the oldest national junior golf tournament in the United States. It was founded in 1914 and is organized by the Western Golf Association. It is played at a different course each year, primarily in the midwest. From 1914 to 1998, it was played with stroke play qualifying...
- 1966 Western AmateurWestern AmateurThe Western Amateur is a leading annual golf tournament in the United States for male amateur golfers. It is organized by the Western Golf Association....
, Trans-Mississippi AmateurTrans-Mississippi AmateurThe Trans-Mississippi Amateur or Trans-Miss Amateur is an annual golf tournament. It is organized by the Trans-Mississippi Golf Association and was first played in 1901. It is played at a different course each year that are located near or west of the Mississippi River. From 1987 to 2009, the field...
PGA Tour wins
| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning Score | Margin of Victory | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dec 7, 1969 | West End Classic West End Classic The West End Classic was PGA Tour satellite event that was played at the Grand Bahama Hotel and Country Club in West End on Grand Bahama Island.The tournament was won by Jim Wiechers, a 25-year-old Californian, by two strokes over Al Besselink and Johnny Pott... |
|
2 strokes |  Al BesselinkAl Besselink Albert Cornelius Besselink is an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour in the 1950s and 1960s.Besselink grew up in Merchantville, New Jersey. He attended the University of Miami and was the first UM golfer to win a national tournament. He won the Southern Invitational... , Johnny Pott |