The Players

San Diego has a long list of noted players

IF THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO were to be represented by a face on the current PGA Tour, it would be Phil Mickelson’s. Propelled into early prominence by the area’s thriving Junior Golf program, Mickelson, now 37 and a resident of Rancho Santa Fe, is the world’s second-ranked player (behind Tiger Woods) and winner of 33 PGA events, including three major championships (2004 and 2006 Masters; 2005 PGA).

That illustrious résumé might appear to give the amiable lefthander clear title as the greatest of all golfers produced by San Diego, but to those familiar with the game’s long-term history, there remains room for dispute. Gene Littler and Billy Casper were among the professional giants of the 1950s and ’60s; Scott Simpson won a U.S. Open and lost another to Payne Stewart in a playoff; Craig Stadler was Masters champion and leading money-winner in 1982. And none of the men here listed even approached the dominance of Mickey Wright, in whose shadow the remainder of LPGA fields toiled for more than a decade.

Had Mickelson not had the mixed blessing/misfortune of striding the same fairways as Woods, his record undoubtedly would be even more striking. Casper, though, had a similar problem during his salad years—one named Arnold Palmer. Casper emerged from the southern suburb of Chula Vista during the late ’50s with a developing bulk and appetite for quirky diets (such as whale-meat steaks), traits that ultimately garnered more attention than his 51 tour victories.

Included in that formidable array were a Masters title (won in a 1970 playoff with area rival Littler) and two U.S. Open championships (1959 and 1966). Casper’s most illustrious achievement, ironically, was also his most unpopular. Trailing by seven strokes with nine holes remaining at the Olympic Club in ’66 to the dismay of huge galleries, Casper overhauled a struggling Palmer to force an 18-hole playoff, which he easily won the following day (69 to 73). Casper also was a five-time winner of the Vardon Trophy for lowest PGA scoring average and later was triumphant nine times on the senior tour.

Known as “Gene the Machine” because of his fluid, seemingly effortless swing, Littler, out of La Jolla, first gained national recognition by winning the 1953 U.S. Amateur and, the following year, the San Diego Open—while still an amateur. After turning pro, he won the first three Tournament of Champions events (by 13 shots in 1955) and would eventually claim 29 PGA titles, including the 1961 U.S. Open, when he edged Doug Sanders and Bob Goalby at Oakland Hills by a single stroke.

Prior to the mid-’50s, when PGA events began developing a widespread identity, San Diego had a representative on what then was considered a tour by those who participated. Bill Nay, head pro at Rancho Santa Fe, where the first Crosby Pro-Ams were held, competed regularly with stars of that early era, including Ben Hogan, Jimmy Demaret, Byron Nelson, Sam Snead and Ralph Guldahl. Nay obviously belonged in their company. On February 9, 1952, during competition at the El Paso Country Club, he returned a 60.

During her unparalleled career, Mickey Wright accumulated 82 LPGA victories, 79 of those in a 10-year span from 1959 through 1968. Included in that grouping were four U.S. Opens, four LPGA titles and five additional majors. In 1961, Wright won three of the four majors: the Open, LPGA and Titleholders.

Other San Diego women with ties to the pro tours included Vicki Fergon, who shot a competitive 62 in 1984, Louise Bruce, Sharon Barrett, Barbara Barrow, Susan O’Conner, Leta Lindley and the Hartley sisters, Holly and Lulong.

The men’s list is especially noteworthy. For a city of any size to produce five winners of major championships (nine total) speaks loudly to quality of courses and available instruction.

Mickelson and Casper delivered six of the titles, and Mickelson likely isn’t done. Craig Stadler was in his seventh year as a pro when he won at Augusta in ’82. Overall, he had 12 tournament triumphs and continues today as a force on the Champions (senior) Tour. When Scott Simpson won his Open in ’87, it was nailed during a tense stretch run with Tom Watson, the preeminent talent of that decade. Simpson won five other tournaments before moving on to the senior level.

Other PGA notables with San Diego roots include Jack Renner (three PGA victories), Lon Hinkle (won the Crosby and the World Series of Golf in 1979), John Schroeder (1973 U.S. Pro Match Play title), Phil Rodgers (won an L.A. Open, lost the 1963 British Open to Bob Charles in a playoff ), Lennie Clements, Victor Regalado, Greg Twiggs, Ernie Gonzalez, Jeff Hart, Todd Dempsey, Bryan Gorman, Jack Spradlin and, on the rise, young Pat Perez.

It is Mickelson’s town now, but over the long term he can claim no more than a share.

Do you like what you read? Subscribe to San Diego Magazine »