Tom Kite
For many years, Tom Kite was the all-time leading money winner on tour. That was not bad for someone who was legally blind without glasses. Kite was “Mr. Consistency” on Tour, winning at least one tournament, with the exception of 1988, every year from 1981-1990.
Tom grew up at Austin Country Club, taking lessons from the renowned Harvey Penick. Kite and Ben Crenshaw were teammates at Texas and led the Longhorns to two national collegiate championships. Tom and Ben shared NCAA medalist honors in 1973.
Tom was leading money winner and Golf Writers Player of the Year in 1981 and followed with another leading money winner title in 1989. He capped his 19-win PGA Tour career with a major win at the 1992 U.S. Open.
His other achievements include:
Bob Jones Award in 1979
Rookie of the Year Award in 1973
World Amateur Cup team in 1970
Walker Cup Team in 1971
Seven Ryder Cup Teams (1979, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1993)
1997 Ryder Cup Captain
NCAA co-champion, with Ben Crenshaw, in 1973
Player Director on Tour Policy Board in 1980-1981
Vardon Trophy winner in 1981 and 1989
US. World Cup team in 1984 and 1985
In total, Kite won 19 times on the PGA tour and 10 on the Champions Tour.
Kite has added "golf course designer" to his résumé and has successfully completed several golf courses in collaboration with Bob Cupp, Randy Russell and Roy Bechtol. Completed golf courses include Coco Beach Resort in Puerto Rico (home of the Puerto Rico Open); Liberty National in Jersey City, New Jersey and Baltimore Country Club in Lutherville Maryland, West Course (redesign) 1989.
Kite was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2004.
Birthplace: McKinney, Texas
Born: December 9, 1949
Died: N/A