Mike Fetchick
Encyclopedia
Michael Fetchick is an American
professional golfer
who played on the PGA Tour
and the Senior PGA Tour.
Fetchick was born in Yonkers, New York
. He turned pro in 1950 and joined the PGA Tour in 1952. He won the 1956 Western Open
at The Presidio in San Francisco
in an 18-hole playoff over Doug Ford
, Jay Hebert and Don January
. In the 1950s, the Western Open was considered to be one of major championships
in men's professional golf along with The Masters, U.S. Open
and the PGA Championship
. It's generally conceded by golf historians that Fetchick's victory over the sports top stars resulted in a demotion for the Western Open below the other majors. His best finish in an event considered to be one of four modern major championships
was T13 at the 1957 U.S. Open
.
Fetchick holds the Champions Tour record
for the oldest winner (1985 Hilton Head Seniors International on his 63rd birthday), and the longest time between his last PGA Tour victory and his first Champions Tour victory: 28 years, 9 months and 27 days. Fetchick also finished T-2 at the 1990 NYNEX Commemorative
at age 67.
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...
and the Senior PGA Tour.
Fetchick was born in Yonkers, New York
Yonkers, New York
Yonkers is the fourth most populous city in the state of New York , and the most populous city in Westchester County, with a population of 195,976...
. He turned pro in 1950 and joined the PGA Tour in 1952. He won the 1956 Western Open
Western Open
The Western Open, a professional golf tournament, was first played in 1899. At the time of its 2006 playing, the Western Open was the 3rd oldest active PGA Tour tournament, after the British Open and U.S. Open...
at The Presidio in San Francisco
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
in an 18-hole playoff over Doug Ford
Doug Ford (golfer)
Douglas Michael Ford, Sr. born Fortunato is an American professional golfer and two-time major golf champion.Ford was born in West Haven, Connecticut. He turned professional in 1949 and won for the first time in 1952 at the Jacksonville Open.The win in Jacksonville was an unusual one...
, Jay Hebert and 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...
. In the 1950s, the Western Open was considered to be one of major championships
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...
in men's professional golf along with The Masters, U.S. Open
U.S. Open (golf)
The United States Open Championship, commonly known as the U.S. Open, is the annual open golf tournament of the United States. It is the second of the four major championships in golf, and is on the official schedule of both the PGA Tour and the European Tour...
and the 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...
. It's generally conceded by golf historians that Fetchick's victory over the sports top stars resulted in a demotion for the Western Open below the other majors. His best finish in an event considered to be one of four modern major championships
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 T13 at the 1957 U.S. Open
U.S. Open (golf)
The United States Open Championship, commonly known as the U.S. Open, is the annual open golf tournament of the United States. It is the second of the four major championships in golf, and is on the official schedule of both the PGA Tour and the European Tour...
.
Fetchick holds the Champions Tour record
Champions Tour records
These are achievements of play on Champions Tour and Georgia-Pacific Grand Champions events.Records of 2010 are as of the date of the record unless otherwise noted...
for the oldest winner (1985 Hilton Head Seniors International on his 63rd birthday), and the longest time between his last PGA Tour victory and his first Champions Tour victory: 28 years, 9 months and 27 days. Fetchick also finished T-2 at the 1990 NYNEX Commemorative
NYNEX Commemorative
The NYNEX Commemorative was a golf tournament on the Champions Tour from 1982 to 1993. It was played in Newport, Rhode Island at the Newport Country Club and in Scarborough, New York at the Sleepy Hollow Country Club ....
at age 67.
PGA Tour wins (3)
- 1956 St. Petersburg OpenSt. Petersburg Open InvitationalThe St. Petersburg Open Invitational, first played as the St. Petersburg Open, was a PGA Tour event that was held at three St. Petersburg, Florida, U.S. area clubs for 29 years from 1930 until 1964. The clubs that hosted the event were: St...
, Western OpenWestern OpenThe Western Open, a professional golf tournament, was first played in 1899. At the time of its 2006 playing, the Western Open was the 3rd oldest active PGA Tour tournament, after the British Open and U.S. Open...
, Mayfair Inn OpenMayfair Inn OpenThe Mayfair Inn Open was a PGA Tour event that was played for four years in the 1950s. The Mayfair Inn was a 155-room resort hotel on the shores of Lake Monroe in Sanford, Florida known for its opulence and isolation. The PGA Tour event was played from 1955–1958 at the Mayfair Country Club...
Other senior wins (2)
- 1990 Liberty Mutual Legends of GolfLiberty Mutual Legends of GolfThe Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf is a golf tournament on the Champions Tour. It is played annually in April currently in Savannah, Georgia at The Westin Savannah Harbor Resort. Liberty Mutual is the main sponsor of the tournament...
- Legendary Division (with Bob ToskiBob ToskiRobert John Toski, born Algustoski , is an American golfer and teacher.He was born in Haydenville, Massachusetts of Polish descent. He learned to play at Northampton Country Club, where he caddied and two of his elder brothers were assistant professionals...
) - 1992 Liberty Mutual Legends of GolfLiberty Mutual Legends of GolfThe Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf is a golf tournament on the Champions Tour. It is played annually in April currently in Savannah, Georgia at The Westin Savannah Harbor Resort. Liberty Mutual is the main sponsor of the tournament...
- Legendary Division (with Bob ToskiBob ToskiRobert John Toski, born Algustoski , is an American golfer and teacher.He was born in Haydenville, Massachusetts of Polish descent. He learned to play at Northampton Country Club, where he caddied and two of his elder brothers were assistant professionals...
)