Old Golf Ball of the Day December 31, 2015
The Ken Venturi Championship golf balls produced by United States Rubber, circa 1960.
Ken Venturi (May 15, 1931 – May 17, 2013) distinguished amateur golfer, professional golfer, and golf broadcaster. He won 14 tournaments on the PGA Tour including a major, the 1964 U.S. Open. Mr. Venturi was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2013.
While coached by Byron Nelson, Venturi won the California State Amateur Championship in 1951 and 1956. In the 1956 Masters, as an amateur, he finished one shot behind winner Jack Burke, Jr.
Venturi reached the highpoint of his career, winning the U.S. Open in 1964 at Congressional Country Club. He nearly collapses from dehydration in the heat and humidity on the 36-hole final day. Venturi was named PGA Player of the Year and awarded Sports Illustrated magazine’s “Sportsman of the Year” that year.
With a total of 15 career wins in a career that lasted a mere 11 years, Venturi retired in 1967 and then spent 35 years as a one of the top color commentator in golf for CBS Sports. He retired from broadcasting in June 2002.
Ken Venturi’s Career Summary
Amateur wins1950 San Francisco City Amateur Championship
1951 California State Amateur Championship
1953 San Francisco City Amateur Championship
1956 California State Amateur Championship
1958 San Francisco City Amateur Championship
Professional wins
Aug 18, 1957 St. Paul Open Invitational
Aug 25, 1957 Miller High Life Open
Jan 26, 1958 Thunderbird Invitational
Feb 2, 1958 Phoenix Open Invitational
Mar 2, 1958 Baton Rouge Open Invitational
Aug 4, 1958 Gleneagles-Chicago Open Invitational
Jan 5, 1959 Los Angeles Open
Jun 28, 1959 Gleneagles-Chicago Open Invitational
Jan 24, 1960 Bing Crosby National Pro-Am
Aug 28, 1960 Milwaukee Open Invitational
Jun 20, 1964 U.S. Open
Jul 26, 1964 Insurance City Open Invitational
Aug 23, 1964 American Golf Classic
Jan 31, 1966 Lucky International Open
1959 Almaden Open