Ernie Vossler

Ernest Orville Vossler (November 29, 1928 – February 16, 2013) was an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour; he later prospered in the fields of golf course design and construction, golf course management services and real estate development.

Ernie Vossler
Vossler in the 1950s
Personal information
Full nameErnest Orville Vossler
Born(1928-11-29)November 29, 1928
Fort Worth, Texas
DiedFebruary 16, 2013(2013-02-16) (aged 84)
La Quinta, California
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight175 lb (79 kg; 12.5 st)
Sporting nationality United States
SpouseMarlene Hagge
Career
Turned professional1954
Former tour(s)PGA Tour
Professional wins4
Number of wins by tour
PGA Tour3
Other1
Best results in major championships
Masters Tournament38th: 1956
PGA ChampionshipT15: 1961
U.S. OpenT5: 1959
The Open ChampionshipDNP

Vossler was born and raised in Fort Worth, Texas, where he played on the Pascal High School golf team.[1]

Vossler turned professional in 1954 and began play on the PGA Tour in 1955.[1] His best finish in a major championship was T-5 at the 1959 U.S. Open.[2]

As his full-time touring days were winding down, Vossler became a club pro and worked at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma,[3] and later Quail Creek Golf & Country Club in Oklahoma City.[1] He was named "PGA Golf Professional of the Year" in 1967.[4] He later became involved in a series of businesses relating to golf course development starting in 1971.[5] Some of his business partners include former tour players Joe Walser, Jr. and Johnny Pott.[1] In 1974, Vossler and Walser founded the Oak Tree Golf Club, now known as Oak Tree National, which has hosted the 1988 PGA Championship and is scheduled to host the 2014 U.S. Senior Open.[6] He was the Chairman of Landmark Golf, a golf/real estate development firm serving the southwestern United States.

Vossler was inducted into the PGA Golf Professional Hall of Fame in 2005.[4]

Vossler was married to World Golf Hall of Famer Marlene Hagge. He died in La Quinta, California in 2013.[7]

Professional wins (4)

PGA Tour wins (3)

No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory
Runner-up
1 May 25, 1958 Kansas City Open −19 (67-65-70-67=269) 2 strokes United States Billy Maxwell
2 Jan 12, 1959 Tijuana Open Invitational −15 (69-65-71-68=273) 2 strokes United States John McMullin
3 Sep 18, 1960 Carling Open Invitational −12 (69-69-66-68=272) 1 stroke United States Paul Harney

Other wins (1)

References

  1. "Ernie Vossler bio". Landmark Golf. Archived from the original on January 5, 2009. Retrieved May 6, 2009.
  2. "Golf Major Championships". Retrieved May 6, 2009.
  3. Elliott, Len; Kelly, Barbara (1976). Who's Who in Golf. New Rochelle, New York: Arlington House. p. 194. ISBN 0-87000-225-2.
  4. Inaugural PGA Golf Professional Hall of Fame prepared to open its doors
  5. Biller, Steven; Kleinschmidt, Janice (October 2007). "The Influencers". Palm Springs Life.
  6. "Oak Tree National". Retrieved March 15, 2010.
  7. "Valley golf pioneer Ernie Vossler dies". mydesert.com. February 16, 2013. Retrieved February 17, 2013.
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