Orville Moody
Encyclopedia
Orville James Moody was an American
professional golfer
who won numerous tournaments in his career. He won the 1969 U.S. Open
, the last champion in the 20th century to win through local and sectional qualifying.
Moody was born in Chickasha, Oklahoma
. The son of a golf course superintendent, he began his career at Capitol Hill High School in Oklahoma City
, winning the 1952 state high school golf championship. After attempting college for a few weeks at the University of Oklahoma
, Moody joined the U.S. Army. He was able to continue playing golf while in uniform, winning the All-Service championship and three Korean Opens. He spent 14 years in the Army, heading up maintenance supervision and instruction at all Army golf courses.
Moody gave up his military career in favor of a trial run at the PGA Tour
in 1967. His nickname on the Tour was "Sarge" because he rose to the rank of sergeant in the Army.
Moody's had limited success on the PGA Tour prior to 1969. In April 1969, he took part in a four way playoff at the Greater Greensboro Open won by Gene Littler
.
The 1969 U.S. Open was played in June at the Cypress Creek Course of the Champions Golf Club
in Houston, Texas
. Before the tournament began, defending champion Lee Trevino
picked Moody to win. Trevino saying "He's one helluva player." Moody won by one stroke over Deane Beman
, Al Geiberger
and Bob Rosburg
with a 72-hole score of 281.
It was the only PGA Tour victory for Moody, who was also named PGA Player of the Year for 1969. He toured Japan, played in a few tournaments and eventually took a club pro job in Sulphur Springs, Texas
.
His luck on the Senior PGA Tour (now known as the Champions Tour
) was dramatically different. After turning 50, he won three of his first five tournaments and finished fifth on the money list on his way to a total of 11 Senior PGA Tour victories. In 1989, he became only the fourth man to win both the U.S. Open and the U.S. Senior Open.
Moody had triple bypass heart surgery prior to the 1995 season, but still managed to play in 29 events. He died in 2008 from complications of multiple myeloma
.
Senior major championships
are shown in bold.
DNP = Did not play
WD = Withdrew
CUT = missed the half-way cut
"T" indicates a tie for a place
Green background for wins. Yellow background for top-10
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 won numerous tournaments in his career. He won the 1969 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...
, the last champion in the 20th century to win through local and sectional qualifying.
Moody was born in Chickasha, Oklahoma
Chickasha, Oklahoma
Chickasha is a city in and the county seat, business and employment center of Grady County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 15,850 at the 2000 census. Chickasha is home to the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma and hosts an annual Festival of Light celebration located at...
. The son of a golf course superintendent, he began his career at Capitol Hill High School in Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City is the capital and the largest city in the state of Oklahoma. The county seat of Oklahoma County, the city ranks 31st among United States cities in population. The city's population, from the 2010 census, was 579,999, with a metro-area population of 1,252,987 . In 2010, the Oklahoma...
, winning the 1952 state high school golf championship. After attempting college for a few weeks at the University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
The University of Oklahoma is a coeducational public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. Founded in 1890, it existed in Oklahoma Territory near Indian Territory for 17 years before the two became the state of Oklahoma. the university had 29,931 students enrolled, most located at its...
, Moody joined the U.S. Army. He was able to continue playing golf while in uniform, winning the All-Service championship and three Korean Opens. He spent 14 years in the Army, heading up maintenance supervision and instruction at all Army golf courses.
Moody gave up his military career in favor of a trial run at 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 1967. His nickname on the Tour was "Sarge" because he rose to the rank of sergeant in the Army.
Moody's had limited success on the PGA Tour prior to 1969. In April 1969, he took part in a four way playoff at the Greater Greensboro Open won by Gene Littler
Gene Littler
Gene Alec Littler is an American professional golfer. Known for a solid temperament and nicknamed "Gene the Machine" for his smooth rhythmical swing, he once said that, "Golf is not a game of great shots. It's a game of the best misses. The people who win make the smallest mistakes."-Early years...
.
The 1969 U.S. Open was played in June at the Cypress Creek Course of the Champions Golf Club
Champions Golf Club
The Champions Golf Club is a golf club located in Houston, Texas. The club was founded in 1957 by Jack Burke, Jr. and Jimmy Demaret. In 1959 the Cypress Creek Course was opened for play, designed by Ralph Plummer. This course has hosted tournaments such as the 1967 Ryder Cup, the 1969 U.S. Open,...
in Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
. Before the tournament began, defending champion Lee Trevino
Lee Trevino
Lee Buck Trevino is an American professional golfer. He is an icon for Mexican Americans, and is often referred to as "The Merry Mex" and "Supermex". He won six major championships over the course of his career.-Early life:...
picked Moody to win. Trevino saying "He's one helluva player." Moody won by one stroke over Deane Beman
Deane Beman
Deane R. Beman is an American professional golfer, golf administrator, and golf course architect.Beman was born in Washington, D.C. and graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, where he played for the varsity golf team. Following graduation, Beman had a career in the insurance...
, Al Geiberger
Al Geiberger
Allen Lee Geiberger, Sr. is an American professional golfer who has won numerous golf tournaments.Geiberger was born in Red Bluff, California...
and Bob Rosburg
Bob Rosburg
Robert Reginald "Rossie" Rosburg was an American professional golfer who later became a sports color analyst for ABC television.-Early years, college:Rosburg was born in San Francisco, California...
with a 72-hole score of 281.
It was the only PGA Tour victory for Moody, who was also named PGA Player of the Year for 1969. He toured Japan, played in a few tournaments and eventually took a club pro job in Sulphur Springs, Texas
Sulphur Springs, Texas
Sulphur Springs is a city in Hopkins County, Texas, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 14,551. It is the county seat of Hopkins County.-Geography:Sulphur Springs is located at ....
.
His luck on the Senior PGA Tour (now known as 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...
) was dramatically different. After turning 50, he won three of his first five tournaments and finished fifth on the money list on his way to a total of 11 Senior PGA Tour victories. In 1989, he became only the fourth man to win both the U.S. Open and the U.S. Senior Open.
Moody had triple bypass heart surgery prior to the 1995 season, but still managed to play in 29 events. He died in 2008 from complications of multiple myeloma
Multiple myeloma
Multiple myeloma , also known as plasma cell myeloma or Kahler's disease , is a cancer of plasma cells, a type of white blood cell normally responsible for the production of antibodies...
.
PGA Tour wins (1)
| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning Score | Margin of Victory | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jun 15, 1969 | 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... |
1 stroke |  Deane BemanDeane Beman Deane R. Beman is an American professional golfer, golf administrator, and golf course architect.Beman was born in Washington, D.C. and graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, where he played for the varsity golf team. Following graduation, Beman had a career in the insurance... , 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... , Bob RosburgBob Rosburg Robert Reginald "Rossie" Rosburg was an American professional golfer who later became a sports color analyst for ABC television.-Early years, college:Rosburg was born in San Francisco, California... |
Other wins (5)
This list is incomplete- 1958 Korea OpenKorea OpenThe Kolon Korea Open, as it is currently known for sponsorship reasons, is a men's professional golf tournament that has been held annually in South Korea since 1958....
- 1959 Korea OpenKorea OpenThe Kolon Korea Open, as it is currently known for sponsorship reasons, is a men's professional golf tournament that has been held annually in South Korea since 1958....
- 1960 Korea OpenKorea OpenThe Kolon Korea Open, as it is currently known for sponsorship reasons, is a men's professional golf tournament that has been held annually in South Korea since 1958....
- 1971 Hassan II Golf TrophyHassan II Golf TrophyThe Hassan II Golf Trophy is a golf tournament in Morocco presided by His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid. It was held at the Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat until it moved to Agadir in 2011....
, Hong Kong OpenHong Kong Open (golf)The Hong Kong Open is a golf tournament which is co-sanctioned by the Asian Tour and the European Tour. It was founded in 1959 and has been part of the European Tour's schedule since 2001...
Senior PGA Tour wins (11)
- 19841984 Senior PGA TourThe 1984 Senior PGA Tour was the fifth season since the Senior PGA Tour officially began in 1980 . The season consisted of 22 official money events with purses totalling $4,366,000, including four majors. Miller Barber won the most tournaments, four...
(2) Daytona Beach Seniors Golf ClassicDaytona Beach Seniors Golf ClassicThe Daytona Beach Seniors Golf Classic was a golf tournament on the Champions Tour from 1983 to 1984. It was played in Daytona Beach, Florida at the Pelican Bay Golf and Country Club, now known as the Club at Pelican Bay....
, MONY Senior Tournament of Champions - 19871987 Senior PGA TourThe 1987 Senior PGA Tour was the eighth season since the Senior PGA Tour officially began in 1980 . The season consisted of 32 official money events with purses totalling $8,905,000, including three majors. Chi Chi Rodriguez won the most tournaments, seven...
(2) Rancho Murieta Senior Gold Rush, GTE Kaanapali Classic - 19881988 Senior PGA TourThe 1988 Senior PGA Tour was the ninth season since the Senior PGA Tour officially began in 1980 . The season consisted of 34 official money events with purses totalling $10,370,000, including three majors. Bob Charles and Gary Player won the most tournaments, five...
(3) Vintage Chrysler Invitational, Senior Players Reunion Pro-Am, Greater Grand Rapids Open - 19891989 Senior PGA TourThe 1989 Senior PGA Tour was the 10th season since the Senior PGA Tour officially began in 1980 . The season consisted of 35 official money events with purses totalling $13,345,000 , including four majors. Bob Charles won the most tournaments, five...
(2) Mazda Senior Tournament Players Championship, U.S. Senior Open - 19911991 Senior PGA TourThe 1991 Senior PGA Tour was the 12th season since the Senior PGA Tour officially began in 1980 . The season consisted of 37 official money events with purses totalling $18,925,000, including four majors. Mike Hill won the most tournaments, five...
(1) PaineWebber Invitational - 19921992 Senior PGA TourThe 1992 Senior PGA Tour was the 13th season since the Senior PGA Tour officially began in 1980 . The season consisted of 37 official money events with purses totalling $20,600,000, including four majors. Lee Trevino won the most tournaments, five...
(1) Franklin Showdown Classic
Senior major championships
Senior major golf championships
Men's professional senior golf is for players aged 50 and above. Golf differs from all other sports in having lucrative competitions for this age group. The leading senior tour is the U.S. based Champions Tour, which was established in 1980 . It has established a roster of five major championships...
are shown in bold.
Other senior wins (8)
- 1984 Viceroy Panama Open
- 1987 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...
(with Bruce CramptonBruce CramptonBruce Crampton is an Australian professional golfer.Crampton was born in Sydney, New South Wales, and attended Kogarah High School from 1948-1950. He turned professional in 1953....
) - 1988 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...
(with Bruce CramptonBruce CramptonBruce Crampton is an Australian professional golfer.Crampton was born in Sydney, New South Wales, and attended Kogarah High School from 1948-1950. He turned professional in 1953....
) - 1995 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 Jimmy Powell) - 1996 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 Jimmy Powell) - 1999 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 Jimmy Powell) - 2005 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...
- Demaret Division (with Jimmy Powell) - 2006 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...
- Demaret Division (with Jimmy Powell)
Wins (1)
| Year | Championship | 54 Holes | Winning Score | Margin | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | 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... |
3 shot deficit | 1 stroke | Deane Beman Deane Beman Deane R. Beman is an American professional golfer, golf administrator, and golf course architect.Beman was born in Washington, D.C. and graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, where he played for the varsity golf team. Following graduation, Beman had a career in the insurance... , 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... , Bob RosburgBob Rosburg Robert Reginald "Rossie" Rosburg was an American professional golfer who later became a sports color analyst for ABC television.-Early years, college:Rosburg was born in San Francisco, California... |
Results timeline
| Tournament | 1962 | 1963 | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1967 | 1968 | 1969 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Masters | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| 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... |
CUT | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | 1 |
| The Open Championship The Open Championship The Open Championship, or simply The Open , is the oldest of the four major championships in professional golf. It is the only "major" held outside the USA and is administered by The R&A, which is the governing body of golf outside the USA and Mexico... |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T16 |
| 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... |
DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T7 |
| Tournament | 1970 | 1971 | 1972 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1976 | 1977 | 1978 | 1979 | 1980 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Masters | T18 | T20 | CUT | CUT | 44 | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| 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... |
CUT | T27 | T15 | CUT | DNP | CUT | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP |
| The Open Championship The Open Championship The Open Championship, or simply The Open , is the oldest of the four major championships in professional golf. It is the only "major" held outside the USA and is administered by The R&A, which is the governing body of golf outside the USA and Mexico... |
CUT | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | T11 | T19 | CUT |
| 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... |
T41 | CUT | WD | T30 | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | CUT | DNP |
DNP = Did not play
WD = Withdrew
CUT = missed the half-way cut
"T" indicates a tie for a place
Green background for wins. Yellow background for top-10
Wins (2)
| Year | Championship | Winning Score | Margin | Runner(s)-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Mazda Senior Tournament Players Championship | −17 (67−69−64−71=271) | 2 strokes | Charles Coody Charles Coody Billy Charles Coody is an American professional golfer, best known for winning the 1971 Masters Tournament.Coody was born in Stamford, Texas and raised in Abilene, Texas... |
| 1989 | U.S. Senior Open United States Senior Open The U.S. Senior Open is one of the major championships in men's senior golf. It was first played in 1980 and is administered by the United States Golf Association and is recognized as a major championship by both the Champions Tour and the European Seniors Tour... |
−9 (72−73−64−70=279) | 2 strokes | Frank Beard |