Walter Morgan (golfer)
Encyclopedia
Walter T. Morgan is an American
professional golfer
who has played on the Senior PGA Tour (now Champions Tour).
Morgan was born in Haddock, Georgia
, where he played baseball in his youth. He served 20 years in the United States Army
including two tours of duty in Vietnam
. He began playing golf
at the age of 30 after 10 years in the military. After retiring from the military, Morgan joined the Champions Tour. He played on the tour from 1991 to 2004, winning three times.
Morgan holds or shares several Champions Tour records
. He shares the lowest 18-hole round (60), lowest strokes to par score (11), and the record for the largest lead in a tournament after 18 holes with several other golfers. Morgan is also the holder of the youngest golfer to shoot his age or better record. He was eventually forced to retire from the game in 2004 for health reasons due to arthritis in his back and shoulders.
Morgan has received several Champions Tour awards. He received the 1995 Comeback Player of the Year award, and was Champions Tour Player of the Month in September 1995 and March 1996. He was also the recipient of the 2006 African-American Legend of Golf award.
Morgan and his wife, Geraldine, founded a First Tee
chapter, The First Tee of Lake Norman Region, a non-profit organization that develops and supports programs promoting life skills and opportunities including the incorporation of junior golf programs for disadvantaged and special needs youth.
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 has played on the Senior PGA Tour (now Champions Tour).
Morgan was born in Haddock, Georgia
Jones County, Georgia
Jones County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. It was created on December 10, 1807. As of 2010, the population was 27,740 . The county seat is Gray.-History:The county is named after U.S...
, where he played baseball in his youth. He served 20 years in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
including two tours of duty in Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
. He began playing 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....
at the age of 30 after 10 years in the military. After retiring from the military, Morgan joined the Champions Tour. He played on the tour from 1991 to 2004, winning three times.
Morgan holds or shares several Champions Tour records
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...
. He shares the lowest 18-hole round (60), lowest strokes to par score (11), and the record for the largest lead in a tournament after 18 holes with several other golfers. Morgan is also the holder of the youngest golfer to shoot his age or better record. He was eventually forced to retire from the game in 2004 for health reasons due to arthritis in his back and shoulders.
Morgan has received several Champions Tour awards. He received the 1995 Comeback Player of the Year award, and was Champions Tour Player of the Month in September 1995 and March 1996. He was also the recipient of the 2006 African-American Legend of Golf award.
Morgan and his wife, Geraldine, founded a First Tee
The First Tee
The First Tee, a youth development organization, impacts the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices through the game of golf...
chapter, The First Tee of Lake Norman Region, a non-profit organization that develops and supports programs promoting life skills and opportunities including the incorporation of junior golf programs for disadvantaged and special needs youth.
Senior PGA Tour wins (3)
- 19951995 Senior PGA TourThe 1995 Senior PGA Tour was the 16th season since the Senior PGA Tour officially began in 1980 . The season consisted of 38 official money events with purses totalling $33,650,000, including four majors. Jim Colbert and Bob Murphy won the most tournaments, four...
GTE Northwest ClassicGTE Northwest ClassicThe GTE Northwest Classic was a golf tournament on the Champions Tour from 1986 to 1995. It was played in Redmond, Washington at the Sahalee Country Club and in Kenmore, Washington at the Inglewood Country Club .... - 19961996 Senior PGA TourThe 1996 Senior PGA Tour was the 17th season since the Senior PGA Tour officially began in 1980 . The season consisted of 39 official money events with purses totalling $37,400,000, including four majors. Jim Colbert won the most tournaments, five...
Ameritech Senior Open, FHP Health Care ClassicFHP Health Care ClassicThe FHP Health Care Classic was a golf tournament on the Champions Tour from 1987 to 1996. It was played in Simi Valley, California at the Wood Ranch Golf Club and in Ojai, California at the Ojai Valley Inn and Country Club...