BILLY CASPER (1931-2015)

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Billy Casper (1931-2015)
By Torleif Sorenson on 2/8/15

Billy Casper, the three-time major champion and prolific winner on the PGA Tour during the 1950s and 1960s, passed away on Saturday in Springville, Utah at 83 years of age. He had recently been afflicted with several health problems.

Casper won the 1959 U.S. Open Championship at Winged Foot, finishing at +2 282. Incidentally, the 1959 U.S. Open also featured the first appearance of Charlie Sifford, who just passed away on Tuesday.

After 22 more victories, Casper then famously won the 1966 U.S. Open at Olympic in San Francisco. During the final round, "Buffalo Bill" roared back from seven strokes down over the final nine holes to tie Arnold Palmer at -2 278. During the 18-hole playoff on Monday, June 20, 1966, Palmer shot 40 on the closing nine to lose to Casper, -1 69 to +3 73.

Almost four years and 14 victories later, Casper won the 1970 Masters Tournament, again in a playoff — this time, over Gene Littler. That proved to be the final Master Tournament decided in an 18-hole playoff; Augusta National Golf Club changed the playoff format to sudden death in 1976.

In the 16 PGA Tour seasons between 1956 and 1971, Casper won at least one tournament each season.

Casper remains the winningest United States golfer in Ryder Cup competition, with 23.5 points from a 20-10-7 record from 1961 to 1975. This, of course, was prior to the formation of Team Europe. Casper captained the winning American team in the 1979 matches.

He was inducted into what is now the World Golf Hall of Fame back in 1978. Over the last decade, Billy Casper Golf, a course operations and management firm, has grown to operate 140 different courses around the United States.

It was at Augusta National last April that Casper passed out in an off-course episode. Casper had been dealing with lung, circulatory, and cardiac issues.

William Earl Casper, Jr. was born June 24, 1931 in San Diego, California. He and his wife Shirley were married in 1952; the marriage produced five children, while the Caspers adopted another six.

Many people within the game have offered these gracious remembrances:

Post by Jack Nicklaus.

Gutted about Billy Casper. Went to his golf camp in San Diego ate age 16, talked many times to him about it. Most under-rated player ever.

— Steve Elling (@EllingYelling) February 8, 2015

Big tribute to our friend & former #WilsonAdvisoryStaff member Billy Casper for his many contributions to golf. #RIP pic.twitter.com/FlYLreQJxG

— Wilson Golf (@WilsonGolf) February 8, 2015

Arnold Palmer has released the following statement on the passing of Billy Casper: pic.twitter.com/7bWops1u1Q

— Golf Central (@GolfCentral) February 8, 2015

Mickey Wright: Billy Casper’s short game was so good it would “make Phil Mickelson’s short game look like a child’s.” http://t.co/oUFqVuanic

— Golf.com (@golf_com) February 8, 2015

A chance encounter with Billy Casper in 1969 changed Robert Harris' life for the better. http://t.co/4tUfgdD0nv

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) February 8, 2015

RIP Billy Casper. We played 1977 Kenya Open! Can still see his legendary draw land 15 ft right and spin sideways to 5 feet! #Inspiration

— Sir Nick Faldo (@NickFaldo006) February 8, 2015




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