Bill Collins (golfer)

William R. Collins (September 23, 1928 – April 8, 2006) was an American professional golfer whoplayed on the PGA Tour in the 1950s and 1960s and the Senior PGA Tour in the 1980s.

Collins was born in Meyersdale, Pennsylvania [ [https://svrnsweb1.pgatourhq.com/Tour/WebTemplate/tournews.nsf/b5593b1aa91898a785256e6d00356026/7f74d0554683a3ab85256fb100764a4b/$FILE/2006-04-10.pdf Collins, PGA TOUR and Champions Tour Veteran, Dies] - PGA Tour obituary] and grew up in Baltimore, Maryland.

Collins won four PGA Tour events between 1959 and 1962. His first victory came at the 1959 Greater New Orleans Open Invitational by two strokes (280) over Jack Burke, Jr., Tom Nieporte and Gene Littler. In 1960, Collins finished in a three-way tie for first at the end of regulation at the Insurance City Open, which he and Jack Fleck lost in a playoff to Arnold Palmer. His best finishes in major championships were T-7 at The Masters in 1961 and a solo 7th place finish at the 1964 U.S. Open. [cite web|title=Golf Major Championships|url=http://golfmajorchampionships.com/players?player=296|accessdate=2008-01-23] He was a member of the victorious 1961 Ryder Cup team.

Collins was forced to quit the Tour after back surgery in 1963. In 1965, he took a club pro job at Brae Burn Country Club in Purchase, New York and remained there until December 1981. He joined the Senior PGA Tour in 1982 and won the Greater Syracuse Classic in his first full season. [cite web| url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9807E7DD1638F930A1575BC0A964948260 | date=1982-08-23 | publisher=New York Times | title=Collins Seniors Victor]

Collins died in Woodstock, Georgia at the age of 77.

Professional wins (5)

PGA Tour wins (4)

*1959 Greater New Orleans Open Invitational
*1960 Houston Classic, Hot Springs Open
*1962 Buick Open Invitational

enior PGA Tour wins (1)

*1982 Greater Syracuse Senior's Pro Golf Classic

References

External links

* [http://www.pgatour.com/players/00/12/09/ Results and stats on PGA Tour's official site]