Gary Koch

Gary Koch (born November 21, 1952) is an American professional golfer, sportscaster and golf course designer, who has played on the PGA Tour, Nationwide Tour and Champions Tour.

Koch was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He won the Florida Open in 1969 as an amateur at the age of 16. He won the U.S. Junior Amateur in 1970. He attended King High School. The 1969 King High golf team consisting of Koch, Eddie Pearce, Brian Hawke and Phil Reid won the Florida high school title setting a scoring record that stood for 30 years. He attended the University of Florida, and was a distinguished member of the golf team – a three-time first-team All-American – and member of the 1973 NCAA Championship team. His teammates at Florida included fellow future PGA Tour professionals Woody Blackburn, Andy Bean, Phil Hancock and Andy North. He turned professional in 1975.

Koch won six events as a professional on the PGA Tour during the 1970s and 1980s. His career year in professional golf came in 1984 when he finished 17th on the money list and captured two of the Tour's most prestigious non-majors: The Isuzu-Andy Williams San Diego Open and the Bay Hill Classic.

In preparation for play on the Champions Tour, Koch played some on the Nationwide Tour in his late 40s. After turning 50 in November 2002, Koch began play on the Champions Tour. His best finish in this venue has been a T-2 at both the ACE Group Classic and Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf in 2004.

Koch's career as a sportscaster started in 1990 with ESPN working Champions Tour telecasts. Before the end of the decade, he joined NBC Sports. He also maintains an interest in a golf course design business. He lives in Tampa, Florida.

Amateur wins

"this list may be incomplete"
*1970 U.S. Junior Amateur
*1973 Trans-Mississippi Amateur

Professional wins (8)

PGA Tour wins (6)

*1976 (1) Tallahassee Open
*1977 (1) Florida Citrus Open
*1983 (1) Doral-Eastern Open
*1984 (2) Isuzu-Andy Williams San Diego Open, Bay Hill Classic
*1988 (1) Panasonic Las Vegas Invitational

Other senior wins (2)

*2003 Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf - Raphael Division (with Roger Maltbie)
*2008 Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf - Raphael Division (with Roger Maltbie)

ee also

*Golfers with most PGA Tour wins

External links

* [http://www.pgatour.com/players/00/16/41/ Profile on the PGA Tour's official site]
* [http://www.wfla.com/golfwithgary/bio.htm Golf With Gary: Biography]