Class of 2011

Don Addington

Amateur Player

Biography

Don Addington began his trek toward the Texas Golf Hall of Fame by winning the 1948 National Caddy Championship at the age of 17. Addington, who moved to from Phoenix, Ariz., to Houston as a youngster, was a state champion at Houston’s Lamar High School.

Addington went on to play collegiately at Southern Methodist University where he served as the golf team captain and helped the Mustangs win the 1953 Southwest Conference title as a senior. There, he played alongside his younger brother, Floyd.

Addington reached the quarterfinals of match play at the 1953 Southern Amateur and qualified for several U.S. Amateur championships. He also was victorious at the Gasparilla Invitational twice, won the Four States Amateur and was the 1956 Air Force champion.

A six-time Texas Senior Amateur champion, he won three consecutive events (1986-88) and then again in 1990, 1997 and 1998. Addington is one of just two golfers ever to win the tournament three consecutive years, joining Bill Trombley (1977-79), and is the most recent to triumph in back-to-back years. Addington also earned the Texas Super Senior crowns in 1998 and 2001.

In addition, he twice won the World Father-Son Championship with his son, Rob, who served as the Executive Director of the Texas Golf Association for nearly two decades.

Addington, an 18-time club champion at four different facilities and a Dallas City Championship winner, collected a total of 85 amateur tournament wins in his career.

Legacy Video

Wins for the Ages

In 1947, 17-year-old Don Addington of Houston routed Johnny Barrett of San Antonio, 9 and 8, to win the third annual National Caddy Golf Championship held in Columbus, Ohio. More than six decades later, in 2011, he won the prestigious John Kline Super Senior Championship by 11 strokes with a 54-score of 217. That sum included a final-round 4-under 67 at the Cypress Creek Course at Champions Golf Club, a past U.S. Open and Ryder Cup course. At 80 years old, he broke his age by 13 shots. Jackie Burke Jr., the owner of Champions and a two-time major champion, had a big smile after that round when he asked Don if he had played all the holes.

A Funny Call

As a senior at SMU in the fall of 1952, Don was preparing to play in the Texas Cup, a competition pitting the state’s top 12 amateurs against its top 12 pros. Don got a call asking if he would be available to play in an exhibition the day before the tournament. He agreed and cleared his calendar, and the next day he showed up on the first tee at Lakewood Country Club. There, he shared a round golf legend Ben Hogan as well as comedians Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. Don never asked why he was selected over the other 11 amateurs. “I just showed up,” he said.

Byron Nelson and Salesmanship Club

In addition to being a great player, Don also gives his time back to the game and remains a member of the Salesmanship Club of Dallas which runs the Byron Nelson PGA Tour event. Don helped raise money through the Pro-Am. The Salesmanship Club of Dallas has given over 185 million which supports Momentus Institute.

Punch Bowl

While Don was waiting on his orders to join the U.S. Airforce he decided to play golf in several Florida tournaments. He won a beautiful punch bowl and eventually the heart of his future bride.

Keepsake: World Father-Son Championship

Don and his son, Rob, have played around the world together and won many Father-Son Tournaments. This special memory is winning the World Father-Son Championship at St. Andrews.

Keepsake: Bing Crosby Photo Op

Quick 9

Select Artifacts

1983 Palma Ceia Golf Club Invitational Tournament Winner

Celebrating a Father & Son World Championship win at St. Andrews

Don Addington, Ben Hogan, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis

Addington with his caddy championship trophy and younger brother

On the Swilcan Bridge during the Father & Son World Championship at St. Andrews

Don Addington on his wedding day

2011 Texas Golf Hall of Fame Inductee Don Addington

Young Addington on the SMU Basketball Team

Father & Son World Championship crystal 1987 from St. Andrews

Comic from a Houston Newspaper featuring Don Addington

Don Addington, Ben Hogan, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis

1988 DAIWA World Invitational Father & Son Trophy

Playing with his son Rob

Related Exhibits

2011 Inductee Class

Southern Methodist University

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Deep Dive Interview

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Don Addington - First Exposure to Golf