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Bob Goalby, who won 11 PGA Tour titles, including the 1968 Masters, and was a pioneer in the formation of the PGA Tour Champions, has died at age 92 in Belleville, Illinois.
Goalby was born in Belleville, on March 14, 1929. At age 8, Goalby, the son of a coal miner, crossed the railroad tracks between his home and St. Clair Country Club a mere 50 yards away. He won the caddie championship at the age of 13 and became good enough to shoot par by the time he started his freshman year at Belleville West High.
Goalby was drafted into the Army in 1950 and he served until 1952. Afterwards, Goalby began playing professionally and was named PGA Tour Rookie of the Year in 1958. He also played in the 1963 Ryder Cup Matches.
But it was the 1968 Masters that was his signature triumph. Goalby’s heroics down the stretch often have been overshadowed by the controversy surrounding the tournament. It shouldn’t be forgotten that Goalby birdied Nos. 13 and 14, then made eagle at No. 15, drilling a 3-iron from 200 yards to 6 feet. He shot 66 and posted 11-under 277 at Augusta National.
Goalby’s win never received the respect it deserved because it was marred by Argentina’s Roberto De Vicenzo signing a scorecard incorrectly. De Vicenzo signed for a par at No. 17 when he actually had made birdie, giving him a 66 and 278 total. Instead of a playoff to decide the title, Goalby was named the winner.
“I had no say in it,” Goalby told PGA Tour.com. “I told Roberto, ‘I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.’ But it wasn’t up to me to change the rules.”
In the aftermath, Goalby received hate mail, as if he had had anything to do with the decision. Nevertheless, he played in the Masters 27 times until 1986 and returned to the Champions Dinner for years.
Bob Goalby, Ben Crenshaw and Jay Haas share some time before the second round of the 2015 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. (Photo: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)
“Winning the Masters, it’s helped me live a…
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Source : yahoo
