Class of 2014

Bob Rawlins

Amateur Player

Biography

Born in Dallas, Texas as the Great Depression approached on February. 6, Bob Rawlins was known as the “Dark Cloud” for his sarcasm and acerbic wit, though it hid a kind demeanor. Rawlins competed in 21 USGA championships and won club titles at Las Colinas Country Club, Preston Hollow, and Dallas Athletic Club. He also won the inaugural American Amateur Classic in 1972 and again in 1982.

In the 1984 Senior Amateur conducted at Birmingham (Mich.) Country Club, Rawlins needed 19 holes to defeat 1982 champion Alton Duhon in the semifinals. In the championship match, Rawlins birdied No. 18 to force extra holes against Richard Runkle, the previous year’s runner-up. At the time of his victory, Rawlins at age 55 was the youngest Senior Amateur champion, a mark that has since been surpassed by several players.

A year earlier in the U.S. Senior Open held at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn., Rawlins was one of nine amateurs to make the cut. Despite weekend rounds of 76-78, he managed to earn low-amateur honors with a 72-hole score of 16-over 300, 12 strokes behind champion Billy Casper.

At Royal Oaks Country Club in Dallas, where Rawlins was a member, the trophy case features a replica of the U.S. Senior Amateur Trophy, along with competitor badges from his 21 USGA appearances.

Rawlins turned professional in 1987 and played nine years on the PGA Senior (now Champions) Tour.

Rawlins estimated he shot his age or better more than 3,000 times based on roughly 200 rounds per year, many coming at Royal Oaks. He registered 13 holes-in-one, all coming in competition.

Royal Oaks’ long-time head golf professional and current director of instruction Randy Smith, who has taught USGA champions Justin Leonard and Colt Knost, as well as PGA Tour players Ryan Palmer, Harrison Frazar, and 2022 Masters champion Scottie Scheffler, said Rawlins had one of the purest swings he had ever seen.

Smith once told writer Texas golf writer Mark Button: “Cloud's swing is like pouring syrup from a jar. He’ll go out and groan, but he breaks his age every time he plays.

“If I ever want to show someone the proper grip, I call Cloud over and show them his grip," Smith continued. "His hands are just amazing. To have the touch around the green with the wedges he has at age 80 … it’s just scary.”

Legacy Video

Watched Like a Hawk

Born in Dallas in 1929, Bob Rawlins didn’t pick up golf until he was in his 20s. Once he did, he became hooked on the game. Bob watched and idolized Ben Hogan, the player known as “The Hawk” for his keen attention to detail, and modeled his swing after the similarly-statured player.

Bob followed Hogan around to any course in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and watched hundreds of thousands of Hogan’s shots from the practice range to tournament rounds.

Bright Career for Dark Cloud

Bob was known as “Dark Cloud” to all who knew him, a moniker he came by honestly through his more-than-occasional pessimistic outlook, as well as the sarcasm and wit he employed with his friends.

Bob embraced the nickname and even had a license plate that read “D Cloud.” Those who knew him best, however, were well aware of Cloud's true, softer nature. Sure, he complained a lot - about everything - but behind the scenes he was as kind and generous as anyone you'd ever want to meet.

His golf game was bright despite not taking his first lesson until the age of 37. He proceeded to learn a near-perfect grip and swing.

A Cut Above the Rest

Bob won the inaugural American Amateur Classic in 1972 and was victorious again in 1982. He was one of nine amateurs to make the cut at the 1983 U.S. Senior Open held at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn.

He earned the prestigious low-amateur honors, finishing in a tie for 15th place overall.

Additionally, Bob won the 1984 U.S. Senior Amateur conducted at Birmingham (Mich.) Country Club with thrilling extra-holes wins in both the semifinals and finals. In all, Bob competed in 21 USGA championships. Golf Digest named him the Senior Amateur of the Year in 1984.

A Member of Royalty

A dominant club player, Bob won titles at Las Colinas Country Club, Preston Hollow, and Dallas Athletic Club. Royal Oaks Country Club in Dallas has a plaque recognizing Bob, a longtime member, at its Champions Plaza Wall of Fame.

He earned one of six lofty spots there, residing alongside famous PGA Tour stars Don January, Lee Trevino, Justin Leonard, D.A. Weibring, and Colt Knost. The trophy case inside Royal Oaks features a replica of his U.S. Senior Amateur Trophy, along with competitor badges from his 21 USGA appearances.

Age is Just a Number

At the age of 58, Bob turned professional in 1987 and played nine years on the PGA Senior Tour, now known as the Champions Tour.

Following his stint on tour, Bob shot his age or better thousands of times while playing an average of 200 rounds per year in Dallas, making up for lost time on his late start into the sport.

His first instance of shooting his age came when he was 65. Bob also registered 13 lifetime holes-in-one, all coming in competitive rounds. He passed away in 2014, the year of his induction into the Texas Golf Hall of Fame.