Gardner Edward Dickinson, Jr. (September 14, 1927 – April 19, 1998) was an American professional golfer.
Career Born in Dothan, Alabama, Dickinson was a student of Ben Hogan and crafted his swing in the Hogan tradition. He played college golf at Louisiana State, where he and teammate Jay Hebert led the Tigers to the national title in 1947. In a long PGA Tour career, he won seven times between 1956 and 1971. In his last win, the 1971 Atlanta Classic, he beat Jack Nicklaus in a sudden-death playoff.
During his PGA Tour career, Dickinson competed in 12 Masters Championships. His best finish came in 1973, when he tied for tenth. He played on the 1967 and 1971 Ryder Cup teams. With a 9–1–0 match record, Dickinson holds the record for best winning percentage (minimum of seven matches). In team Ryder Cup play, he never lost a match with partner Arnold Palmer (5–0).
Dickinson was one of the founders of the Senior PGA Tour (now Champions Tour). He authored the book Let 'er Rip — a lengthy, bitey rant in which he opines on everything from golf officials and his fellow players to topical issues such as how young people dress. He also designed the 36-hole Frenchman's Creek Club in Palm Beach, Florida.
Dickinson later taught the game to players such as LPGA great JoAnne Carner and his future wife Judy Clark, who is a former player and president of the LPGA Tour.
A well-known quote by Dickinson is: "They say golf is like life, but don't believe them. Golf is more complicated than that."
Death After a long illness, he died at age 70 in Tequesta, Florida in 1998.
Awards and honors In 2004, Dickinson was voted into the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame
Professional wins (11)
PGA Tour wins (7) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner(s)-up1 Mar 25, 1956 Miami Beach Open −16 (64-72-67-69=272) 1 stroke Dow Finsterwald, Billy Maxwell2 Sep 2, 1957 Insurance City Open Invitational −12 (66-68-68-70=272) 2 strokes George Bayer3 Dec 9, 1962 Coral Gables Open Invitational −10 (70-66-67-71=274) 1 stroke Bill Collins, Don Fairfield4 Jun 25, 1967 Cleveland Open Invitational −9 (68-66-67-70=271) 4 strokes Miller Barber, Homero Blancas5 Mar 10, 1968 Doral Open Invitational −13 (65-71-67-72=275) 1 stroke Tom Weiskopf6 May 18, 1969 Colonial National Invitation −2 (71-68-73-66=278) 1 stroke Gary Player7 Jun 6, 1971 Atlanta Classic −13 (68-68-69-70=275) Playoff Jack Nicklaus
PGA Tour playoff record (1–2) No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result11956Fort Wayne Open Bill Trombley, Art Wall Jr.Wall won with birdie on first extra hole21969Greater Jacksonville Open Raymond FloydLost to birdie on first extra hole31971Atlanta Classic Jack NicklausWon with par on first extra hole Source:
Other wins (4) 1952 Florida Open 1956 West Palm Beach Open 1965 Haig & Haig Scotch Foursome (with Ruth Jessen) 1978 Legends of Golf (with Sam Snead)
Results in major championships Tournament19521953195419551956195719581959Masters Tournament32CUTU.S. OpenT44T21CUTCUTT17The Open ChampionshipPGA Championship Tournament1960196119621963196419651966196719681969Masters TournamentT15CUTCUTT28T36T22T29U.S. OpenT9T23T21CUTT21T48T6WDThe Open ChampionshipCUTPGA ChampionshipT19T51T8T235T18T28T30T41 Tournament19701971197219731974Masters TournamentT22T10CUTU.S. OpenThe Open ChampionshipPGA ChampionshipCUT
WD = withdrew CUT = missed the half-way cut (3rd round cut in 1969 Open Championship) "T" indicates a tie for a place
Summary Tournament Wins 2nd 3rd Top-5 Top-10 Top-25 Events Cuts madeMasters Tournament 0 0 0 0 1 4 12 8U.S. Open 0 0 0 0 2 7 13 9The Open Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0PGA Championship 0 0 0 1 2 5 10 9Totals 0 0 0 1 5 16 36 26 Most consecutive cuts made – 10 (1964 PGA – 1968 Masters) Longest streak of top-10s – 1 (four times)
See also List of golfers with most PGA Tour wins
References
External links