Larry Hinson
Encyclopedia
Larry Hinson is an American
professional golfer
who played on the PGA Tour
from 1968–1976.
Hinson was born in Gastonia, North Carolina
, but has lived almost his entire life in Douglas, Georgia
. Despite having a left arm slightly withered from boyhood polio, he was able to compete in amateur and professional golf. Hinson attended East Tennessee State University
and was a member of the golf
team. He was the individual medalist at the NCAA Division II Men's Golf Championships
in 1967.
Hinson had more than 30 top-10 finishes during his PGA Tour career including a win at the 1969 Greater New Orleans Open Invitational. In that tournament, he defeated Frank Beard on the third playoff hole. He finished the 1975 San Antonio Texas Open tied for first place in regulation play at 13-under-par 275; however, he lost in a playoff when Don January
made a birdie on the second extra hole. His best finish in a major
was a T-4 at the 1970 PGA Championship
. Hinson was the recipient of the 1971 Ben Hogan Award.
Hinson is the general manager and head professional at Hinson Hills Golf Center in Douglas, Georgia, a family-run 18-hole par-3 course. He invented a device he calls the Stance Minder to help a golfer establish the proper set-up position.
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...
from 1968–1976.
Hinson was born in Gastonia, North Carolina
Gastonia, North Carolina
Gastonia is the largest city and county seat of Gaston County, North Carolina, United States. It is also the third largest suburb of the Charlotte Area, behind Concord and Rock Hill. The population was 71,226 as of Gastonia is the largest city and county seat of Gaston County, North Carolina,...
, but has lived almost his entire life in Douglas, Georgia
Douglas, Georgia
Douglas is a city in Coffee County, Georgia, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 11,589. Douglas is the county seat of Coffee County and the core city of the Douglas, Georgia Micropolitan Statistical Area which has a population of 48,708 as of the 2008 census...
. Despite having a left arm slightly withered from boyhood polio, he was able to compete in amateur and professional golf. Hinson attended East Tennessee State University
East Tennessee State University
East Tennessee State University is an accredited American university located in Johnson City, Tennessee. It is part of the Tennessee Board of Regents system of colleges and universities, the nation's sixth largest system of public education, and is the fourth largest university in the state...
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. He was the individual medalist at the NCAA Division II Men's Golf Championships
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 1967.
Hinson had more than 30 top-10 finishes during his PGA Tour career including a win at the 1969 Greater New Orleans Open Invitational. In that tournament, he defeated Frank Beard on the third playoff hole. He finished the 1975 San Antonio Texas Open tied for first place in regulation play at 13-under-par 275; however, he lost in a playoff when Don January
Don January
Donald Ray January is an American professional golfer.January was born in Plainview, Texas, and graduated from Sunset High School in Dallas...
made a birdie on the second extra hole. 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-4 at the 1970 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...
. Hinson was the recipient of the 1971 Ben Hogan Award.
Hinson is the general manager and head professional at Hinson Hills Golf Center in Douglas, Georgia, a family-run 18-hole par-3 course. He invented a device he calls the Stance Minder to help a golfer establish the proper set-up position.
PGA Tour wins
| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning Score | Margin of Victory | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 4, 1969 | Greater New Orleans Open Invitational | Playoff |  Frank Beard |