This article originally appeared in the November issue of NCGA Golf Magazine
We stumbled upon this photo, and of course had to share it!
It’s from the 1951 California Amateur Championship, and features Ken Venturi (right) receiving the Edward B. Tufts trophy from California Golf Association President Don Edwards of Palo Alto at ceremonies held at Del Monte Lodge immediately following the final round of the event. Venturi defeated Dr. F.M. Taylor of Pomona, 7 and 6, to earn the first of what would be two Cal Am titles. He also defeated Taylor again in 1956, 2 and 1.
Venturi was born in San Francisco in 1931 and developed his game at Harding Park, Lincoln Park and other local courses. The Abraham Lincoln High School alumnus first captured the nation’s attention in 1956 when as a 25-year-old amateur, he finished runner-up at the Masters after leading from the first round.
But NCGA golfers were already well aware of Mr. Venturi, as the San Jose State golfer had captured the 1949 NCGA Junior, three San Francisco City titles, the 1951 and 1952 NCGA Stroke Play Championships and the 1951 and 1956 California State Amateur. Turning professional in 1957, Venturi proved his stellar amateur record was no fluke, winning 10 times in his first four years on tour, including four times in 1958 to lead the Tour as well as the 1960 Bing Crosby Pro-Am.
After recovering from minor injuries suffered in a car accident in 1961, Venturi provided the highlight of his professional career in 1964 when he won the U.S. Open at Congressional after nearly collapsing in the scorching heat. “My God, I’ve won the Open,” he famously said after sinking the winning putt capping a final 36-hole day in an inspiring performance that earned him Sports Illustrated’s “Sportsman of the Year” honors. He would add earning a spot on the Ryder Cup team in 1965, where he played for longtime mentor Byron Nelson and one more victory before retiring in 1967 with 14 total wins.