Steve Spray
Encyclopedia
Steven Spray is an American
professional golfer
who played on the PGA Tour
in the 1960s and 1970s.
Spray was born in Des Moines, Iowa
and reared in Indianola, Iowa
. His first big win as an amateur came in the 1958 Iowa Junior Amateur; the next year he gained national fame by winning the Western Junior. Spray attended the University of Iowa
initially, but transferred to Eastern New Mexico University
where he spent most of his college career. He won the NAIA Championship in 1962 and 1963 while at Eastern New Mexico.
Spray turned professional in 1964 and began play on the PGA Tour in 1965. The highlight of Spray's career came in 1969 with a win at the San Francisco Open Invitational, the last PGA Tour event held at San Francisco's storied Harding Park
. His best finish in a major championship
was a T-5 at the 1968 U.S. Open. Spray was hampered by injuries during the last years of his PGA career including tendinitis in his left thumb that forced him to change his grip and back surgery that caused him to miss almost all of 1974.
After leaving the PGA Tour, Spray began working as the head pro at St. Louis Country Club in 1976 — a position he has held for more than 30 years. In 1984, he was honored as the Gateway Section PGA Player of the Year, and was inducted into the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame in May 2009.
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.
Spray was born in Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines, Iowa
Des Moines is the capital and the most populous city in the US state of Iowa. It is also the county seat of Polk County. A small portion of the city extends into Warren County. It was incorporated on September 22, 1851, as Fort Des Moines which was shortened to "Des Moines" in 1857...
and reared in Indianola, Iowa
Indianola, Iowa
As of the census of 2000, there were 12,998 people, 4,748 households, and 3,261 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,414.7 people per square mile . There were 4,981 housing units at an average density of 542.1 per square mile...
. His first big win as an amateur came in the 1958 Iowa Junior Amateur; the next year he gained national fame by winning the Western Junior. Spray attended the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
initially, but transferred to Eastern New Mexico University
Eastern New Mexico University
Eastern New Mexico University , frequently called Eastern, is a state university in Portales, Roosevelt County, New Mexico, USA...
where he spent most of his college career. He won the NAIA Championship in 1962 and 1963 while at Eastern New Mexico.
Spray turned professional in 1964 and began play on the PGA Tour in 1965. The highlight of Spray's career came in 1969 with a win at the San Francisco Open Invitational, the last PGA Tour event held at San Francisco's storied Harding Park
Harding Park Golf Club
TPC Harding Park, formerly Harding Park Golf Club and commonly known as Harding Park, is a municipal golf course owned by the city and county of San Francisco. It is now a part of the PGA Tour's Tournament Players Club network of courses, following an agreement between the tour and the city that...
. 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 a T-5 at the 1968 U.S. Open. Spray was hampered by injuries during the last years of his PGA career including tendinitis in his left thumb that forced him to change his grip and back surgery that caused him to miss almost all of 1974.
After leaving the PGA Tour, Spray began working as the head pro at St. Louis Country Club in 1976 — a position he has held for more than 30 years. In 1984, he was honored as the Gateway Section PGA Player of the Year, and was inducted into the Iowa Golf Hall of Fame in May 2009.
Amateur wins
- 1958 Iowa Junior Amateur
- 1959 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...
- 1962 Northwest Amateur, Central States Amateur, NAIA Championship
- 1963 Iowa Amateur, Central States Amateur, Tournament of Champions, NAIA Championship
PGA Tour wins (1)
| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning Score | Margin of Victory | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oct 26, 1969 | San Francisco Open Invitational | |
1 stroke |  Chi Chi Rodriguez |
Other wins
- 1964 Iowa OpenIowa OpenThe Iowa Open is the Iowa state open golf tournament, open to both amateur and professional golfers. It is organized by the Iowa section of the PGA of America...
- 1966 Waterloo Open Golf ClassicWaterloo Open Golf ClassicThe Waterloo Jaycees Greater Waterloo Open Golf Classic is a the oldest and largest golf tournament in the state of Iowa. It has been played annually since 1934, and celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2008...
- 1972 Herman Sani
- 1973 New Mexico OpenNew Mexico OpenThe New Mexico Open is the New Mexico state open golf tournament, open to both amateur and professional golfers. It is organized by the Sun Country section of the PGA of America. It has been played annually since 1954 at a variety of courses around the state....
, 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... - 1977 Gateway Section PGA Championship
- 1979 Gateway Section PGA Championship