Class of 2022

Brad Elder

Amateur Player

Biography

Originally from Tulsa, Brad Elder grew up in Plano, Texas, and began showing his amateur prowess by winning the 1994 Texas UIL Class-5A Boys State Golf Tournament individual title. He won the Western Junior Amateur in the same year.

Elder then headed to The University of Texas where, he earned All-America Honors in each of his four years, including twice being named to the first team. Elder also won the prestigious 86th Texas Amateur in 1995.

Elder’s banner year as an amateur came in 1997. He racked up undefeated showings in both the Walker and Palmer Cups and won the 1997 Northeast Amateur.

As a Longhorn that year, he was under par in 18 of 37 competitive rounds played. Elder in 1997 was awarded the Jack Nicklaus Award, given annually by the Golf Coaches Association of America to the golfer who excels throughout the course of the entire season.

He also took home the Fred Haskins Award, presented annually by the Haskins Commission to honor the most outstanding collegiate golfer in the United States. It is college golf's equivalent to college football's Heisman Trophy.

Elder finished his collegiate career as the nation's No. 1 amateur, according to Golfweek/Titleist amateur rankings.

Legacy Video

The Younger Elder

Brad Elder was introduced to golf at a young age by his father, Ross, who was a professional at Mohawk Park, a municipal golf course in Tulsa, Okla.

With his dad on the bag at the 1994 Western Junior Amateur, Elder followed in his dad’s footsteps as the tournament’s champion, a fact unknown to Brad until after his triumph. The victories, which came 28 years apart (Ross Elder won the match play tournament’s title in 1966), remain the only father-son titles in Western Junior history.

Elder’s showing continued a remarkable breakout year that also included an individual win at the 1994 UIL Class-5A Boys State Golf Tournament for Plano (Texas) High School, where he had moved in 1991.

Legendary Longhorn

Elder attended the University of Texas, where he was named All-America four times, including two first-team selections. As a junior for the Longhorns in 1997, Elder claimed the Jack Nicklaus Award, given annually by the Golf Coaches Association of America to the nation’s top college golfer.

He also won the Fred Haskins Award, presented to the most outstanding collegiate golfer in the U.S.

Elder finished his collegiate career as the nation's No. 1 amateur according to Golfweek/Titleist amateur rankings. He is a member of the Texas Longhorns Athletics Hall of Honor.

A Star In Stripes

One of the most decorated and highly regarded amateur golfers in the world during the 1990s, Elder was selected to represent the United States at both the Walker Cup and Arnold Palmer Cup competitions in 1997.

At the Walker Cup, Elder posted a perfect 4-0 record, as the U.S. easily defeated Europe, 18-6. None of his matches even reached the 18th hole.

Elder collected Singles wins by 5&4 and 2&1 margins. He also notched Four-Ball victories by 4&3 and 3&2 marks. He was undefeated with a 4-0 record for the U.S. Team at the Palmer Cup for the victorious Americans at Bay Hill Club & Lodge.

Becoming a Hot Name at BraeBurn

Following his sophomore year of college, Elder in 1995 won the 86th Texas Amateur at BraeBurn Country Club in Houston, joining a long list of players who became professionals and Texas Golf Hall of Famers.

Elder later etched his name on the trophy at one of the most prestigious amateur tournaments in the world, the Northeast Amateur, in 1997. Those victories helped set him on a path towards a two-decade professional career that began in 1998 and included more than 400 pro starts.

Elder played on the PGA Tour from 2000-03 and had a runner-up finish at the SEI Pennsylvania Classic as a rookie. He qualified for the U.S. Open three times, making the cut in his final appearance in 2015.

Keepsake

Regardless of how full a golfer's collection of honors might get there is always one keepsake or memento that has a significance above the rest. The most cherished artifact is more often personal and private and not the biggest trophy in the case.