Jack Burke Jr. Dies at Age 100; World Golf HOF’er changed into Oldest-Living Masters Champion
Stan Badz
John “Jack” Burke Jr., the oldest living Masters champion, died on Friday in Houston, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN). He changed into 100.
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan stated in a relate:
“Jackie Burke changed into a right Hall of Famer who will consistently be remembered for the trend and grace with which he played the game and ran Champions Golf Club. Or no longer it’s laborious to measure the affect he had on the game, and his willingness to mentor and lend a hand avid gamers is believed. I’ve admired Jackie and all he has supposed to professional golf, and we mourn his loss of life and ship our condolences to his family.”
The World Golf Hall of Famer grew to change into pro in 1941 and won 16 titles all over his time on the PGA Tour. The 1956 season changed into possibly his most prolific as he won two majors—the Masters Match and PGA Championship.
Thanks to these two important victories, Burke changed into named the 1956 PGA Participant of the Year, even when that is no longer the splendid award he won all over his lifetime.
Burke changed into named the 1952 Vardon Trophy winner for leading the PGA Tour in scoring sensible and he changed into also given the 2003 PGA Tour Lifetime Success Award for his contributions to the tour.
In 2004, Burke changed into given the Bob Jones Award, which “acknowledges an person that demonstrates the spirit, personal personality and admire for the game exhibited by Jones, winner of nine USGA championships.”
Apart from to playing on the PGA Tour, Burke played on five United States Ryder Cup teams between 1951 and 1959. He captained the United States to victory in 1957 and served as captain for the 1973 winning crew, even when he didn’t play in that tournament.
Burke also based the Champions Golf Club in Houston alongside Jimmy Demaret, the set he taught lessons. The club hosted the 1967 Ryder Cup, 1969 U.S. Open and three Tour Championships.