George Fazio Explained

George Fazio
Birth Date:12 November 1912
Birth Place:Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Death Place:Jupiter, Florida
Status:Professional
Extour:PGA Tour
Prowins:10
Pgawins:2
Otherwins:8
Masters:T14: 1952
Usopen:3rd: 1950
Open:DNP
Pga:T5: 1948

George Fazio (November 12, 1912 – June 6, 1986) was an American professional golfer and a golf course architect.

Life and career

Fazio, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was a respected player in the mid-twentieth century and competed in seven Masters Tournaments from 1947 to 1954. His best finish was 14th in 1952.

Fazio won two PGA Tour events: the 1946 Canadian Open and the 1947 Bing Crosby Pro-Am (in a tie with Ed Furgol). He had career earnings of more than $50,000. He nearly won the 1950 U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club outside Philadelphia, finishing third to Ben Hogan and Lloyd Mangrum in an 18-hole playoff. This event was recently memorialized as one of the 15 most memorable Philadelphia sports moments.[1] Like most golfers of his generation, Fazio earned his living primarily as a club pro during his regular career years. During the 1940s, he was head pro at Hillcrest Country Club in Los Angeles, where many of Hollywood's celebrities played.[2]

After his playing days were over, Fazio went on to become a well-known golf course architect along with his nephews Tom Fazio, Jim Fazio, and course designer Lou Cappelli. The foursome built many notable courses, and they are particularly noted for the shapes built into their traps - such as clover-leaves and butterflies.

Fazio died in Jupiter, Florida at the age of 73.[3]

Professional wins (10)

PGA Tour wins (2)

Other wins (7)

this list may be incomplete

Results in major championships

Tournament193819391940194119421943194419451946194719481949
Masters TournamentNTNTNTT39T30
U.S. OpenWDCUTWDNTNTNTNTT38T59T25T35
PGA ChampionshipR64R32NTR32QFR32
Tournament19501951195219531954195519561957195819591960
Masters TournamentT21T18T14T51T33
U.S. Open3CUT5T4T27CUTWD
PGA ChampionshipR32R64R64R64R64T25T56CUT
Note: Fazio never played in The Open Championship.
NT = no tournament
WD = withdrew
CUT = missed the half-way cut
R64, R32, R16, QF, SF = round in which player lost in PGA Championship match play
"T" indicates a tie for a place

Summary

Tournament Wins 2nd 3rd Top-5 Top-10 Top-25 Events Cuts made
0 0 0 0 0 3 7 7
0 0 1 3 3 4 14 8
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
PGA Championship 0 0 0 1 1 6 13 12
Totals 0 0 1 4 4 13 34 27

Notable golf course designs

The following is a partial list of courses designed by Fazio:

NameContributionYear builtCity / TownState / ProvinceCountryComments
Ridgefield GC OD United States
Jupiter Hills (Hills Course, Village Course) OD United States
PGA National GC (The Haig, The Squires) OD United States
Turtle Bay Resort OD United States
OD United States
Wollaston GC OD United States
OD United States
Atlantis GC OD United States
Pinehurst Resort No. 6 OD United States
Chester Valley GC OD United States
OD United States
OD United States
Moselem Springs GC OD United States
Squires GC OD United States
Waynesborough CC OD United States
George Fazio GC OD United States
Moss Creek GC (Devil's Elbow South Course) OD United States
Champions GC (Jackrabbit Course) OD United States
OD Canada
Cariari CC OD
Coronado GC OD

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Fitzpatrick . Frank . 15 Most memorable Phila. sports moments . Philly Online . 2009 . June 1, 2009 . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090905163940/http://www.philly.com/philly/news/nation_world/20090529_During_The_Inquirer_s_180_years__a_city_that_loves_NO_HEAD_SPECIFIED.html . September 5, 2009.
  2. News: Eric Monti dies at 91; former golf pro at Hillcrest Country Club in L.A. . Jon . Thurber . February 12, 2009 . Los Angeles Times . May 8, 2009.
  3. News: George Fazio, Ex-Pro Golfer And a Designer of Courses . September 28, 2010 . The New York Times . June 8, 1986.