Abe Espinosa Explained

Abe Espinosa
Fullname:Abelard George Espinosa
Birth Date:9 February 1889
Birth Place:Monterey, California
Death Place:San Luis Obispo County, California
Status:Professional
Extour:PGA Tour
Prowins:4
Pgawins:3
Otherwins:1
Masters:T38: 1934
Usopen:T7: 1924
Open:DNP
Pga:T5: 1926, 1931

Abelard George "Abe" Espinsosa (February 9, 1889 – February 13, 1980) was an American professional golfer who is best known as the first Hispanic-American to win a significant professional championship.[1]

Born in Monterey, California, Espinosa was of Mexican-American descent, a club professional in Oakland, Chicago (Columbian Golf Club and Medinah Country Club), and at Shreveport Country Club in Louisiana, where one of his caddies was future U.S. Open Champion Tommy Bolt. Espinosa's younger brother Al (1891–1957) was also a professional golfer; both were known for their dashing, stylish attire on the links.[2]

Espinosa's first PGA Tour win came at the Western Open in 1928.[3] His best finish in a major was a tie for seventh at the U.S. Open in 1924.[4] After his playing days were over, he became involved in golf course architecture and design; his works include Heart River Municipal Golf Course in Dickinson, North Dakota.

Professional wins (4)

PGA Tour wins (3)

Other wins (1)

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Today in Golf History: July 28 . December 21, 2007 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071011202914/http://www.golfonline.com/golfonline/features/history/article/0%2C17742%2C468130%2C00.html . October 11, 2007 . dead .
  2. News: 'Terrible Tommy' put fling behind him . Jacksonville Times-Union . Garry . Smits . March 14, 1999 . December 21, 2007.
  3. News: Abe Espinosa wins Western Open with 291 . Chicago Sunday Tribune . Rohm . Harland . July 29, 1928 . 1, sec. 2.
  4. News: Walker wins National Open, Jones second . Chicago Daily Tribune . Davis . Joe . June 7, 1924 . 13.