Wiffy Cox
Encyclopedia
Wilfred Hiram "Wiffy" Cox (October 27, 1896 – February 20, 1969) was an American
professional golfer
who played on the PGA Tour
in the 1930s.
Cox was born and grew up in a tough Irish-Italian section of Brooklyn, New York. He started in golf
as a caddie at Westchester County
courses and learned to play at sunrise and sunset with clubs borrowed from the pro shop. The diminutive Cox had a hot-temper and a reputation for foul-mouthed, trash talk among his fellow players.
Cox won nine times on the PGA Tour
. His first individual win on the PGA Tour came at the 1931 North and South Open
; his four wins that year led the PGA Tour for most wins. His best finish in a major championship
was tied for third at the 1934 U.S. Open
.
Cox played on the winning U.S. team in the 1931 Ryder Cup
, winning both his matches.
Like most professional golfers of his generation, Cox earned his living primarily as a club pro. He was the course pro at Dyker Beach Golf Course
in Brooklyn, New York from 1921 to 1935. He eventually landed a plum job as head pro at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland
, which he held until 1969. He died in Washington, D.C.
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 1930s.
Cox was born and grew up in a tough Irish-Italian section of Brooklyn, New York. He started in 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....
as a caddie at Westchester County
Westchester County, New York
Westchester County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. Westchester covers an area of and has a population of 949,113 according to the 2010 Census, residing in 45 municipalities...
courses and learned to play at sunrise and sunset with clubs borrowed from the pro shop. The diminutive Cox had a hot-temper and a reputation for foul-mouthed, trash talk among his fellow players.
Cox won nine times 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...
. His first individual win on the PGA Tour came at the 1931 North and South Open
North and South Open
The North and South Open was one of the most prestigious golf tournaments in the United States in the first half of the twentieth century. It was played at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina, long the largest golf resort in the world, which also staged a series of other tournaments with the "North...
; his four wins that year led the PGA Tour for most wins. 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 tied for third at the 1934 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...
.
Cox played on the winning U.S. team in the 1931 Ryder Cup
1931 Ryder Cup
The 3rd Ryder Cup Matches were held at the Scioto Country Club in Columbus, Ohio on June 26 and 27, 1931.The United States team won the competition by a score of 9 to 3 points.-Format:The Ryder Cup is a match play event, with each match worth one point...
, winning both his matches.
Like most professional golfers of his generation, Cox earned his living primarily as a club pro. He was the course pro at Dyker Beach Golf Course
Dyker Beach Golf Course
Dyker Beach Golf Course is a public golf course located in the borough of Brooklyn in New York City. Its roots go back more than 100 years. It is one of the most played public golf courses in the nation. It has produced some notable golfers.-History:...
in Brooklyn, New York from 1921 to 1935. He eventually landed a plum job as head pro at the Congressional Country Club in Bethesda, Maryland
Bethesda, Maryland
Bethesda is a census designated place in southern Montgomery County, Maryland, United States, just northwest of Washington, D.C. It takes its name from a local church, the Bethesda Meeting House , which in turn took its name from Jerusalem's Pool of Bethesda...
, which he held until 1969. He died in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
PGA Tour wins (9)
- 1930 Mid-South Open Bestball (with Willie MacfarlaneWillie MacfarlaneWilliam "Willie" Macfarlane was a Scottish professional golfer....
) - 1931 Miami International Four-BallMiami International Four-BallThe Miami International Four-Ball was a golf tournament on the PGA Tour from 1924 to 1954. It was played primarily at what is now the Miami Springs Golf and Country Club in Miami, Florida...
(with Willie MacfarlaneWillie MacfarlaneWilliam "Willie" Macfarlane was a Scottish professional golfer....
), North and South OpenNorth and South OpenThe North and South Open was one of the most prestigious golf tournaments in the United States in the first half of the twentieth century. It was played at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina, long the largest golf resort in the world, which also staged a series of other tournaments with the "North...
, Massachusetts OpenMassachusetts OpenThe Massachusetts Open is the Massachusetts state open golf tournament, open to both amateur and professional golfers. It is organized by the Massachusetts Golf Association. It has been played annually since 1905 at a variety of courses around the state. It was considered a PGA Tour event from...
, National Match Play Open - 1934 Agua Caliente OpenAgua Caliente OpenThe Agua Caliente Open was a golf tournament on the PGA Tour first played in 1930 in Tijuana, Mexico. The inaugural event, which was won by Gene Sarazen, offered the largest purse to date — $25,000 with a $10,000 winner's share...
, Texas Open - 1936 Sacramento OpenSacramento Open (PGA Tour)The Sacramento Open was a golf tournament on the PGA Tour from 1926 to 1938. It was held in Sacramento, California at two different courses. In the 1920s, it was played at the Del Paso Country Club...
- 1937 one win