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Billy Casper: Golf’s Most Underrated Golfer Dies at 83

Golf lost one of the greats on Saturday when Billy Casper passed at his home in Utah. Casper was 83 and over a long professional career compiled a record worthy of one of the all time greats.casper 1

Casper won 51 times on the PGA Tour which included three major championships. His first major was the 1959 U.S. Open at Winged Foot where he famously laid up each day at the long, difficult par 3 third hole. He used his crafty short game and marvelous putter to get up and down for par each day. He won by a single stroke over Bob Rosburg.

Casper went on to claim another U.S. Open in 1966 and won the 1970 Masters over his childhood rival, Gene Littler in an 18 hole playoff.

During his prime he was as prolific a winner as anyone in history. From 1964 through 1970 he won more than Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus.

Nicklaus used to say that when he was leading and looking at the leaderboard he wasn’t looking for Palmer or Player. It was Casper that he was worried about.

Casper also had eleven worldwide wins and nine Champions Tour titles. He competed on eight Ryder Cups and captained the winning Ryder Cup Team in 1979.

He last competed in a Ryder Cup in 1975 but still holds the record for most points at 23 ½.

History remembers Casper’s heyday as the time of “The Big Three.” Palmer, Player and Nicklaus were lauded as the greatest of the day with Casper’s achievements taking a back seat to the big three. But that was more a result of Casper’s personality rather than any on course successes.

The Big Three had all signed contracts with IMG and then super agent Mark McCormack. Casper had also signed with IMG but bowed out of the arrangement, by his own choice because he felt it was not his style.

The Big Three, with the power of McCormack behind them went on to multiple endorsement deals that made them millions. Casper went on to concentrate on what he valued the most, his family.  the big 4

Casper had married his high school sweetheart and began his tour life traveling from event to event towing his trailer much like his idol, Ben Hogan.

Casper was known for his unparalleled putting skills and was paid the ultimate compliment when after playing with his hero Hogan who was trying to find his putting stroke later asked him how he putted so well.

Casper grew up caddying, playing and hanging out at San Diego Country Club and said he honed his putting skills by spending hours on their putting green, in the dark. He would practice his stroke at night, barely able to see the hole. He swore that was what made him such a confident and successful putter.

Casper went on to start a very successful golf course management company, Billy Casper Golf. It manages over 140 clubs and I can attest that I have never had a bad experience on a Casper managed course.

His golf successes were many but Casper took the most pride in raising his family. Married for 62 years he had eleven children, six of which were adopted and his brood extended to 71 grand children and great grand children.

Much like Nicklaus, his priority was always family first. It’s a throwaway line for many but was truly put into action by Casper.

Casper’s faith and family were his main priority. And he welcomed so many friends and fellow players into his life. Casper made it very clear in his biography, “The Big Three and Me” what was so important in his life. The dedication is simple but meaningful, “Dedicated to my family…welcome to my family.”

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