Moved from Dallas to Los Angeles when he was 18 and honed his game at Sunset Fields GC (now known as Brentwood CC), site of the modern pentathlon at the 1932 Summer Olympics. Older brother Ray played the TOUR and won five tournaments. Another older brother, Paul, was a long-time club pro, also in Los Angeles.

Learned the game, playing strictly with a 2-iron.

Of his war years and his thoughts on people calling him a war hero, he said, "I was no hero. All I wanted to do was get home in a hurry and in one piece."

In 1955, he moved his family to Apple Valley, Calif.

Accepted a position at the Chicago-area Oak Park CC as Dick Metz's assistant professional in 1940.

Honed his game while working as a caddie at Sunset Fields outside Los Angeles in 1934.

Died November 18 when he suffered a heart attack at his home in Apple Valley, Calif. Is interred at Victor Valley Memorial Park in Victorville, Calif.

At the Masters Tournament in 1971, he told the Associated Press, "I don't know what would have happened to an uneducated lunk like me if I hadn't been able to swing a golf club. I'd probably have wound up a wino or a derelict."

In 1962, Suffered the first of 13 heart attacks but didn't go to the hospital. Had another thrombosis episode that finally put him in the hospital.

In late December 1944, was an infantryman doing reconnaissance in the Battle of the Bulge under the guidance of Gen. George Patton, where he took shrapnel to his knee and chin and received a Purple Heart. Came home from the war with four Battle Stars and two Purple Hearts.