Dave Thomas (golfer)

David Charles Thomas (16 August 1934 – 27 August 2013) was a Welsh professional golfer and renowned golf course architect.

Dave Thomas
Personal information
Full nameDavid Charles Thomas
Born(1934-08-16)16 August 1934
Newcastle, England
Died27 August 2013(2013-08-27) (aged 79)
Spain
Sporting nationality Wales
Career
Turned professional1949
Former tour(s)European Tour
Professional wins18
Best results in major championships
Masters TournamentT30: 1959
PGA ChampionshipDNP
U.S. OpenCUT: 1964
The Open Championship2nd/T2: 1958, 1966

Thomas was one of Britain's leading golfers during the 1950s and 1960s with many tournament victories around Europe, including the News of the World Match Play and the Belgian, Dutch and French Open championships. He was runner-up at The Open Championship in 1958 and 1966.[1]

Early life

Thomas was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England.

Professional career

Thomas turned professional in 1949, taking up a position as an assistant. He later played tournament golf, and won more than a dozen titles in Britain and around Europe. He also tried his hand in the United States with less success, although he did win a qualifying tournament for the U.S. Open in 1964 and finished second in the St. Paul Open.[1]

In 1958, Thomas finished tied with Peter Thomson after 72 holes in the Open at Royal Lytham, but lost the 36-hole Saturday playoff by four strokes. At Muirfield in 1966, he again finished as runner-up, one stroke behind Jack Nicklaus. Throughout his career, Thomas was renowned for his long, straight, driving, and once hit a drive during a practice round for the 1967 Open at Hoylake onto the green at the 420-yard (384 m) second hole.[1]

Thomas represented Great Britain in the Ryder Cup on four occasions, in 1959, 1963, 1965 and 1967, only being defeated once in his five singles matches. He also represented Wales in the Canada Cup, which later became the World Cup of Golf, on eleven occasions,[1] and again at the Double Diamond Internationals in 1972.

Thomas was elected Captain of the Professional Golfers' Association during their centenary year in 2001, and in 2006 was recognised for his contribution to golf by being made an honorary life member of the PGA.[2]

After retiring from tournament golf due to back and eye problems,[1] Thomas set up a golf course design business.[3] He designed over 100 courses around the world,[4] and his work includes Hacienda Del Alamo, the Brabazon, Derby and PGA National courses at Ryder Cup venue The Belfry.[2][5][6]

Thomas lived his last few years in Marbella, Spain where he died at his home on 27 August 2013.[7]

Professional wins
This list may be incomplete.

Playoff record

PGA Tour playoff record (0–1)

No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
1 1958 The Open Championship Australia Peter Thomson Lost 36-hole playoff;
Thomson: −3 (68-71=139),
Thomas: +1 (69-74=143)

Results in major championships
Tournament 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959
Masters Tournament T30
U.S. Open
The Open Championship CUT T17 T5 2
Tournament 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969
Masters Tournament CUT CUT T46
U.S. Open CUT
The Open Championship T20 T8 T26 T13 39 T2 CUT T27 CUT
Tournament 1970 1971 1972
Masters Tournament
U.S. Open
The Open Championship T32 CUT

Note: Thomas never played in the PGA Championship.

  Top 10
  Did not play

CUT = missed the half-way cut (3rd round cut in 1969 Open Championship)
"T" indicates a tie for a place

Summary
TournamentWins2nd3rdTop-5Top-10Top-25EventsCuts made
Masters Tournament00000042
U.S. Open00000010
The Open Championship0203471511
PGA Championship00000000
Totals0203472013
  • Most consecutive cuts made – 7 (1956 Open Championship – 1963 Open Championship)
  • Longest streak of top-10s – 2 (1957 Open Championship – 1958 Open Championship)

Team appearances

References
  1. Alliss, Peter (1983). The Who's Who of Golf. Orbis Publishing. p. 300. ISBN 0-85613-520-8.
  2. "Delighted Dave gets life reward". Manchester Evening News. 8 May 2005. Retrieved 14 August 2009.
  3. "Dave Thomas, Senior Member of the European Institute of Golf Course Architects".
  4. "Dave's course for celebration". The Journal. 1 September 2006. Retrieved 14 August 2009.
  5. "About Hacienda Del Alamo". Hacienda Golf Properties. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
  6. Moore, Matthew. "Obituary: Dave Thomas Golf Course Designer". Global Golf Post.
  7. Clifford, Richard (28 August 2013). "Tributes pour in for Welsh golfing great Dave Thomas". WalesOnline. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
  8. "Assistants' tie". The Glasgow Herald. 18 June 1955. p. 7.
  9. "Assistants champion". The Glasgow Herald. 20 June 1955. p. 11.
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