Class of 1983

Jacky Cupit

Professional Player

Biography

Now in the landscaping business in Dallas, Jacky Cupit was one of the five golfing brothers who all turned professional. In fact, he and his brother Buster teamed to finish second to the duo of Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer in the 1966 PGA national Two Ball Tournament.

Cupit had a stellar amateur career, winning 39 tournaments. As a collegian at the University of Houston, he was twice an All-American and played on three NCAA Championship teams for Coach Dave Williams. While still an amateur Jacky won two pro events – the Alvin Dark Open in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and the Twin Cities Open in Monroe, Louisiana. Jacky earned PGA Tour Rookie of the Year honors in 1961 when he won the Canadian Open and several top tens including the 1963 U.S. Open at Brookline, where he tied Julius Boros and Arnold Palmer at the end of regulation and then finished second to Boros in the playoff. In total, Cupit amassed four PGA Tour wins.

Cupit retired from tour competition in 1974 due to back problems, but managed to capture three Northern Texas Section titles and also played on the Champions Tour for a stretch.

Birthplace: Longview, Texas

Born: February 1, 1938

Legacy Video

Brotherly Competition

In the golf shop at Longview Country Club, owned for more than 50 years by Buster, who passed away in 2023 at age 96, is a black and white photo of the Cupit brothers shaking hands with Palmer and Jack Nicklaus on the 18th green at PGA National in Florida during the final round of a partnership event.

One More Inch - 1963 U.S. Open

Called his best player by legendary coach Dave Williams of the University of Houston, Cupit literally came within an inch of winning the 1963 U.S. Open at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts. It was the 50th anniversary of when American golf came of age in 1913 when Francis Ouimet defeated Harry Vardon and Ted Ray in a historic playoff. Cupit’s birdie putt on the 72nd hole grazed the top edge of the cup and his tap-in par put him into an 18-hole playoff the next day with eventual winner Julius Boros and Arnold Palmer.

Harvey Penick To The Rescue

University of Houston NCAA Champions

Born February 1, 1938, Cupit was the youngest boy of 10 children with 8 older brothers, He began caddying at an early age at a course near his home. Later he went to Pine Tree High School where he played all sports but excelled at golf. He earned a golf scholarship to Houston where he played on three consecutive national championship teams with good friends Homero Blancas and Fred Marti.