Bill Garrett (golfer)

Bill Garrett
Personal information
Full nameWilliam Frank Garrett
Born(1940-09-06)September 6, 1940
DiedFebruary 25, 2010(2010-02-25) (aged 69)
Height6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight220 lb (100 kg; 16 st)
Sporting nationality United States
SpouseJudy Schwan Garrett
Career
CollegeNorth Texas State University
Turned professional1964
Former toursPGA Tour
Champions Tour
Professional wins3
Number of wins by tour
PGA Tour1
Other2
Best results in major championships
Masters TournamentDNP
PGA ChampionshipT55: 1971
U.S. OpenCUT: 1964, 1966, 1971, 1975, 1981
The Open ChampionshipT47: 1975

William Frank Garrett (September 6, 1940 – February 25, 2010)[1] was an American professional golfer. He played on the PGA Tour in the 1960s and 1970s.

Early life

In 1940, Garrett was born in Amarillo, Texas.[2]

At North Texas State University in Denton, Texas, he was captain of the golf team and went to the NCAA semi-finals his senior year. In 1962, he graduated from North Texas.[2]

Professional career

In 1964, Garrett turned professional.[2] After teaching and coaching high school golf, Garrett was a member of the PGA Tour from 1964 to 1979.

In 1970, Garrett won the Coral Springs Open Invitational at Coral Springs Country Club, Florida. He earned $25,000 and defeated Bob Murphy by a stroke. His competitors included Lee Trevino, Julius Boros, and Arnold Palmer, all of whom finished in the top-10.[3][4]

Garrett played a few times in Europe. His best finish in a major was a tied 47th at the 1975 Open Championship at Carnoustie Golf Links, Scotland.[5] Garrett came back the following year to the 1976 Open Championship and made the cut again, finishing in a tie for 48th.[6] The week after, he played the Scandinavian Enterprise Open, a regular event on the European Tour, where he shot a new 8-under-par course record 64 at Drottningholm G.C. in the third round. The record round advanced Garrett from a T-49th to joint third. He finished in a tie for 4th despite being bothered by a back injury.[7]

Senior career

As a senior golfer, Garrett played in the PGA Senior Club Professional Championship several times, finishing third in 1993, second in 1994 and tied third in 1995.

Garrett earned a living as a senior club professional after his days as a touring professional were over.[8] He worked for Ping Golf Club Manufacturing for 30 years and was selected Salesman of the Year in 1995. He also received a Distinguished Service Award from the North Texas PGA in 2003.[9]

Personal life

In 1962, he married Judy. They remained married to his death.[9] Garrett was also a deacon at Lakeside Baptist Church.[9]

In 2010, Garrett died in Granbury, Texas.[1]

Awards and honors

  • In 1995, he earned Salesman of the Year honors from Ping Golf.[9]
  • In 2003, he received a Distinguished Service Award from the North Texas PGA.[9]

Professional wins (3)

PGA Tour wins (1)

No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory
Runner-up
1 Dec 6, 1970 Coral Springs Open Invitational −12 (71-64-68-69=272) 1 stroke Bob Murphy

Source:[10]

Other wins (2)

References

  1. ^ a b "William Frank Garrett obituary". Amarillo Globe-News. February 26, 2010. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c Elliott, Len; Kelly, Barbara (1976). Who's Who in Golf. New Rochelle, New York: Arlington House. pp. 69–70. ISBN 0-87000-225-2.
  3. ^ "Today in Golf History: December 6". Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved December 28, 2007.
  4. ^ "Garrett's 12-under 272 captures Coral crown". Schenectady Gazette. Associated Press. December 7, 1970. p. 39 – via Google News Archive.
  5. ^ "Golf Major Championships". Archived from the original on November 10, 2007. Retrieved December 28, 2007.
  6. ^ "105th Open Championship, Results". European Tour. Retrieved December 25, 2024.
  7. ^ "SEO dag för dag, Dag 3: Garretts fullträff" [SEO day by day, Day 3: Garrett's hit]. Svensk Golf (in Swedish). No. 6/1976. June 1976. pp. 17–22.
  8. ^ "Today in Golf History: September 6". Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved December 28, 2007.
  9. ^ a b c d e "Obituary William Bill Garrett". University of North Texas. Retrieved December 24, 2024.
  10. ^ "Bill Garrett". PGA Tour. Retrieved November 9, 2025.