Mike Morley
Encyclopedia
Mike Morley is an American
golf course architect and a former professional golfer
who played on the PGA Tour
for 14 years.
Morley was born in Morris, Minnesota
. He was raised there and in Minot, North Dakota
where his family later moved during his youth. He attended Arizona State University
and was a two-time first-team All-American on the golf
team in 1967 and 1968.
Morley won a handful of tournaments as a professional including the 1972 Magnolia State Classic and the 1977 Ed McMahon-Jaycees Quad Cities Open. He had a great deal of success at the Bing Crosby Pro-Am finishing in the top-10 four times including a solo 2nd in 1976. His best finish in a major championship
was T8 in the 1980 U.S. Open
.
After losing his PGA Tour card in 1984, Morley played on an Asian Tour for two or three years. When he retired as a Tour professional, Morley first tried selling real estate in Arizona
, but found that golf course architecture and design was the business that he wanted to pursue. Early in this phase of his career, he worked for Tom Watson
's firm. Today he is a partner in a golf course architecture and design business with fellow former PGA Tour golfer Dan Halldorson
. Most of the courses Morley has designed are in Minnesota.
Morley was inducted into the North Dakota Golf Hall of Fame in 1977. He is also a member of the Arizona State University Hall of Fame. He was voted Mr. Golf for 2002 by the Minnesota Golf Association. He lives in Minot, North Dakota.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
golf course architect and a former 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...
for 14 years.
Morley was born in Morris, Minnesota
Morris, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,068 people, 1,929 households, and 985 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,183.2 people per square mile . There were 2,067 housing units at an average density of 482.6 per square mile...
. He was raised there and in Minot, North Dakota
Minot, North Dakota
Minot is a city located in north central North Dakota in the United States. It is most widely known for the Air Force base located approximately 15 miles north of the city. With a population of 40,888 at the 2010 census, Minot is the fourth largest city in the state...
where his family later moved during his youth. He attended Arizona State University
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
and was a two-time first-team All-American on 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 in 1967 and 1968.
Morley won a handful of tournaments as a professional including the 1972 Magnolia State Classic and the 1977 Ed McMahon-Jaycees Quad Cities Open. He had a great deal of success at the Bing Crosby Pro-Am finishing in the top-10 four times including a solo 2nd in 1976. His best finish in a major championship
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 T8 in the 1980 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...
.
After losing his PGA Tour card in 1984, Morley played on an Asian Tour for two or three years. When he retired as a Tour professional, Morley first tried selling real estate in 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...
, but found that golf course architecture and design was the business that he wanted to pursue. Early in this phase of his career, he worked for Tom Watson
Tom Watson (golfer)
Thomas Sturges Watson is an American professional golfer who has played on the PGA Tour and now mostly on the Champions Tour....
's firm. Today he is a partner in a golf course architecture and design business with fellow former PGA Tour golfer Dan Halldorson
Dan Halldorson
Daniel Albert Halldorson is a Canadian professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour and the Canadian Tour.Halldorson was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and raised in Brandon, Manitoba. He did not attend college and turned pro in 1971. He joined the Canadian Tour in 1973 and the PGA Tour in...
. Most of the courses Morley has designed are in Minnesota.
Morley was inducted into the North Dakota Golf Hall of Fame in 1977. He is also a member of the Arizona State University Hall of Fame. He was voted Mr. Golf for 2002 by the Minnesota Golf Association. He lives in Minot, North Dakota.
PGA Tour wins
| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning Score | Margin of Victory |
Runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jul 10, 1977 1977 PGA Tour The 1977 PGA Tour season was played from January 6 to November 6. The season consisted of 45 official money events. Tom Watson won the most tournaments, five, and there were 10 first-time winners. The tournament results and award winners are listed below.... |
Ed McMahon-Jaycees Quad Cities Open | 2 strokes |  Bob MurphyBob Murphy (golfer) Robert Joseph Murphy, Jr. is an American professional golfer who was formerly a member of the PGA Tour and currently plays on the Champions Tour. Murphy has won 21 tournaments as a professional.-Early years:... ,  Victor RegaladoVictor Regalado Victor Regalado is a Mexican professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour.Regalado was born and raised in Tijuana, Mexico. As an amateur, he played in tournaments in the San Diego, California area just across the border from his home. He turned professional in 1971.Regalado has just over 30... |
Other wins
- 1972 Magnolia State Classic
- 1973 Shreveport Open
- 1975 Minnesota State OpenMinnesota State OpenThe Minnesota State Open is the Minnesota state open golf tournament, open to both amateur and professional golfers. It is organized by the Minnesota section of the PGA of America...
- 1982 Minnesota State OpenMinnesota State OpenThe Minnesota State Open is the Minnesota state open golf tournament, open to both amateur and professional golfers. It is organized by the Minnesota section of the PGA of America...
- 1983 Minnesota State OpenMinnesota State OpenThe Minnesota State Open is the Minnesota state open golf tournament, open to both amateur and professional golfers. It is organized by the Minnesota section of the PGA of America...
, Arizona OpenArizona OpenThe Arizona Open is the Arizona state open golf tournament, open to both amateur and professional golfers. It is organized by the Southwest section of the PGA of America... - 1986 Arizona OpenArizona OpenThe Arizona Open is the Arizona state open golf tournament, open to both amateur and professional golfers. It is organized by the Southwest section of the PGA of America...
- Two North Dakota Opens