Class of 1985
Tom Kite
Professional Player
Biography
For many years, Tom Kite was the all-time leading money winner on tour. That was not bad for someone who was legally blind without glasses. Kite was “Mr. Consistency” on Tour, winning at least one tournament, with the exception of 1988, every year from 1981-1990.
Tom grew up at Austin Country Club, taking lessons from the renowned Harvey Penick. Kite and Ben Crenshaw were teammates at Texas and led the Longhorns to two national collegiate championships. Tom and Ben shared NCAA medalist honors in 1973.
Tom was leading money winner and Golf Writers Player of the Year in 1981 and followed with another leading money winner title in 1989. He capped his 19-win PGA Tour career with a major win at the 1992 U.S. Open.
In total, Kite won 19 times on the PGA tour and 10 on the Champions Tour.
Kite has added "golf course designer" to his résumé and has successfully completed several golf courses in collaboration with Bob Cupp, Randy Russell and Roy Bechtol. Completed golf courses include Coco Beach Resort in Puerto Rico (home of the Puerto Rico Open); Liberty National in Jersey City, New Jersey and Baltimore Country Club in Lutherville Maryland, West Course (redesign) 1989.
Kite was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2004.
Birthplace: McKinney, Texas
Born: December 9, 1949
Career Highlights
- 19 PGA Tour Victories
- 1992 U.S. Open Champion
- Bob Jones Award in 1979
- Rookie of the Year Award in 1973
- Seven Ryder Cup Teams (1979, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1989, 1993)
- 1997 Ryder Cup Captain
- NCAA co-champion, with Ben Crenshaw, in 1973
- Vardon Trophy winner in 1981 and 1989
Select Artifacts
Kite at the 2010 Senior Open shooting a tournament low 28 on the front nine of Indianwood
1972 NCAA Golf Champions: Texas Longhorns
Tom Kite talking wedgework with Bob Vokey
Kite was the first PGA player to implement the 60 degree wedge
Joe Black with Tom Kite
Tom Kite and Tiger Woods at the 1997 Ryder Cup
Young Kite from the fairway
Joe Black with Tom Kite and Sandy Lyle at the Ryder Cup
Young Kite at a press conference
Celebrating a U.S. Open win on the 18th at Pebble Beach
Kite with the European Open Championship trophy
Tom Kite and Jack Nicklaus at the World Golf Hall of Fame
1989 Player Champion Tom Kite
Going for the green
Tom Kite and Ben Crenshaw in 1972
Letting it fly
Putting up the green on the 18th at Sawgrass
The 1997 U.S. Ryder Cup Team
Teammates Tom Kite and Ben Crenshaw share NCAA Medalist Honors in 1972
1992 U.S. Open Champion Tom Kite
2004 World Golf Hall of Fame Inductee Tom Kite
