Wally Ulrich
Encyclopedia
Wallace William "Wally" Ulrich (March 12, 1921 – April 7, 1995) was an American
professional golfer
who played on the PGA Tour
in the 1940s and 1950s.
Ulrich was born in Iowa
and raised in Austin, Minnesota
. He attended Carleton College
in Northfield, Minnesota
where he was a member of the golf
team. He won the 1943 NCAA championship
; however, his college career was interrupted by service in the Marine Corps
during World War II
. Ulrich returned to Carleton after the war.
Ulrich won the Mexican Amateur in 1945. In 1946 and 1947, he won the Minnesota State Open
as an amateur. He turned pro and joined the PGA Tour in 1948. His only tour win was the 1954 Kansas City Open.
Ulrich died in Akron, Ohio
where he had lived for 36 years.
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 1940s and 1950s.
Ulrich was born in Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
and raised in Austin, Minnesota
Austin, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 23,314 people, 9,897 households, and 6,076 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,168.2 people per square mile . There were 10,261 housing units at an average density of 954.3 per square mile...
. He attended Carleton College
Carleton College
Carleton College is an independent non-sectarian, coeducational, liberal arts college in Northfield, Minnesota, USA. The college enrolls 1,958 undergraduate students, and employs 198 full-time faculty members. In 2012 U.S...
in Northfield, Minnesota
Northfield, Minnesota
As of the census of 2000, there were 17,147 people, 4,909 households, and 3,210 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,452.2 people per square mile . There were 5,119 housing units at an average density of 732.1 per square mile...
where he 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 won the 1943 NCAA championship
NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championships
The NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championships, played in late May or early June, is the top annual competition in U.S. men's collegiate golf. It is a stroke play team competition, starting in 2009 the competition changed to a stroke play/match play competition with the top 8 teams after 54 holes of...
; however, his college career was interrupted by service in the Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Ulrich returned to Carleton after the war.
Ulrich won the Mexican Amateur in 1945. In 1946 and 1947, he won the Minnesota State Open
Minnesota State Open
The 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...
as an amateur. He turned pro and joined the PGA Tour in 1948. His only tour win was the 1954 Kansas City Open.
Ulrich died in Akron, Ohio
Akron, Ohio
Akron , is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Summit County. It is located in the Great Lakes region approximately south of Lake Erie along the Little Cuyahoga River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 199,110. The Akron Metropolitan...
where he had lived for 36 years.
Amateur wins
- 1942 Albert Lea Shortstop
- 1943 NCAA ChampionshipNCAA Division I Men's Golf ChampionshipsThe NCAA Division I Men's Golf Championships, played in late May or early June, is the top annual competition in U.S. men's collegiate golf. It is a stroke play team competition, starting in 2009 the competition changed to a stroke play/match play competition with the top 8 teams after 54 holes of...
- 1945 Mexican Amateur
PGA Tour wins
| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning Score | Margin of Victory | Runner(s)-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aug 1, 1954 | Kansas City Open | |
2 strokes |  Gene LittlerGene 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... , Lloyd MangrumLloyd Mangrum Lloyd Eugene Mangrum was an American professional golfer. He was known for his smooth swing and his relaxed demeanour on the course, which earned him the nickname "Mr. Icicle".Mangrum was born in Trenton, Texas... |
Other wins
- 1946 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...
(as an amateur) - 1947 Minnesota State Open (as an amateur)
- 1950 Waterloo Open
- 1951 Minnesota State Open
- 1955 Minnesota State Open
- 1957 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...
, Minnesota PGA - 1959 Soldier's Field Pro-Am