Ben Crenshaw was so popular with the folks in the gallery that they actually get mad at him when he does not perform as well as they would like.

Crenshaw has been a winner since claiming the Texas State Junior Boys Championship in 1969 at Brackenridge Park. At the University of Texas, he won two individual NCAA titles and shared another with teammate (and fellow Texas Golf Hall of Fame member) Tom Kite, as the Longhorns managed two team titles.

In 1973 Crenshaw won his Tour Card in the qualifying tournament by 12 shots over runner-up Gil Morgan. Crenshaw then won his debut tournament as a PGA Tour eligible player at the Texas Open. Crenshaw, whose deft putting touch has helped him win 19 tournaments, including the 1984 and 1995 Masters, after attending the funeral of his friend and mentor, Harvey Penick.

Additional playing accomplishments include:

• Four Ryder Cup teams (1981, 1983, 1987, 1995) and captained the historic 1999 team
• World Cup Team member in 1972 and 1988
• In 1991 Bob Jones Award winner, the highest honor bestowed by the United States Golf Association in recognition of distinguished sportsmanship in golf

Ben’s interests remain related to golf. He is a partner in a golf course architecture firm based in Austin .His entry into the golf architecture business brought closer a life-long goal of creating quality golf courses in the classical style. He also served on the Museum Committee of the United States Golf Association.

Birthplace: Austin, Texas

Born: January 11, 1952