Michael Fetchick (October 13, 1922 – March 8, 2012) was an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour and the Senior PGA Tour.
Career Fetchick was born in Yonkers, New York. He turned pro in 1950 and joined the PGA Tour in 1952. He won the 1956 Western Open at The Presidio in San Francisco, California in an 18-hole playoff over Doug Ford, Jay Hebert and Don January. In the 1950s, the Western Open was considered by some to be one of major championships in men's professional golf along with The Masters, U.S. Open and the PGA Championship. It's generally conceded by golf historians that Fetchick's victory over the sports top stars resulted in a demotion for the Western Open below the other majors. His best finish in an event considered to be one of four modern major championships was T13 at the 1957 U.S. Open.
Prior to Scott Hoch winning in 2019 at the age of 63 years and 5 months, Fetchick held the Champions Tour record for the oldest winner (1985 Hilton Head Seniors International on his 63rd birthday), and the longest time between his last PGA Tour victory and his first Champions Tour victory: 28 years, 9 months and 27 days. Fetchick also finished T-2 (playoff loss) at the 1990 NYNEX Commemorative at age 67.
Fetchick died in 2012.
Professional wins (10) PGA Tour wins (3) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner(s)-up1Mar 18, 1956St. Petersburg Open−13 (69-68-69-69=275)Playoff Lionel Hebert2Oct 15, 1956Western Open−4 (71-69-74-70=284)Playoff Doug Ford, Jay Hebert, Don January3Dec 16, 1956Mayfair Inn Open−17 (65-63-67-68=263)2 strokes Frank Stranahan Source:
Other wins (4) 1955 Imperial Valley Open 1963 Long Island PGA Championship 1964 Long Island PGA Championship 1982 Long Island PGA Championship
Senior PGA Tour wins (1) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunners-up1Oct 13, 1985 Hilton Head Seniors International−6 (69-69-72=210)2 strokes Al Chandler, Gene Littler, Orville Moody
Senior PGA Tour playoff record (0–1) No.YearTournamentOpponentsResult11990NYNEX Commemorative Jimmy Powell, Chi-Chi Rodríguez, Lee TrevinoTrevino won with birdie on fifth extra holePowell and Rodríguez eliminated by birdie on first hole
Other senior wins (2) 1990 Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf - Legendary Division (with Bob Toski) 1992 Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf - Legendary Division (with Bob Toski)
References
External links