Frank Beard

Frank J. Beard (born May 1, 1939) is an American professional golfer.

Beard was born in Dallas, Texas. He attended Saint Xavier High School in Louisville, Kentucky, where he graduated in 1957. He won the state golf championship that year, one of five (football, tennis, golf, track and swimming) state championships won by the school in a record setting year. He attended the University of Florida.

Beard turned professional in 1962. He topped the PGA Tour money list in 1969 with earnings of $164,707. He has eleven wins on the tour including victories in the Tournament of Champions in 1967 and 1970. He was a member of the U.S. team in the Ryder Cup in 1969 and 1971 and had a 2-3-3 win-loss-half record. After turning fifty he played on the Senior PGA Tour (now the Champions Tour), where he won the 1990 Murata Reunion Pro-Am.

Beard is probably best known as the author of "Pro", the story of his year on the tour in 1969. The book revealed many of the more mundane parts of life on the pro tour for the middle tier of golfers with families. It was humorous and insightful, showing the human side of these talented men.

Beard has also worked as a golf commentator on ESPN.

Professional wins (14)

PGA Tour wins (11)

*1963 (1) Frank Sinatra Open Invitational
*1965 (1) Texas Open Invitational
*1966 (1) Greater New Orleans Open Invitational
*1967 (3) Tournament of Champions, Houston Champions International, 500 Festival Open Invitation
*1969 (2) Minnesota Golf Classic, Westchester Classic
*1970 (2) Tournament of Champions, American Golf Classic
*1971 (1) Greater New Orleans Open Invitational

Other wins (2)

*1964 Kentucky Open
*1967 Waterloo Open Golf Classic

enior PGA Tour wins (1)

*1990 Murata Reunion Pro-Am

ee also

*Golfers with most PGA Tour wins