Tom Kite

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

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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

Kite at the 2010 Senior Open shooting a tournament low 28 on the front nine of Indianwood

1972 NCAA Golf Champions: Texas Longhorns

1972 NCAA Golf Champions: Texas Longhorns

Tom Kite talking wedgework with Bob Vokey

Tom Kite talking wedgework with Bob Vokey

Kite was the first PGA player to implement the 60 degree wedge

Kite was the first PGA player to implement the 60 degree wedge

Joe Black with Tom Kite

Joe Black with Tom Kite

Tom Kite and Tiger Woods at the 1997 Ryder Cup

Tom Kite and Tiger Woods at the 1997 Ryder Cup

Young Kite from the fairway

Young Kite from the fairway

Joe Black with Tom Kite and Sandy Lyle at the Ryder Cup

Joe Black with Tom Kite and Sandy Lyle at the Ryder Cup

Young Kite at a press conference

Young Kite at a press conference

Celebrating a U.S. Open win on the 18th at Pebble Beach

Celebrating a U.S. Open win on the 18th at Pebble Beach

Kite with the European Open Championship trophy

Kite with the European Open Championship trophy

Tom Kite and Jack Nicklaus at the World Golf Hall of Fame

Tom Kite and Jack Nicklaus at the World Golf Hall of Fame

1989 Player Champion Tom Kite

1989 Player Champion Tom Kite

Going for the green

Going for the green

Tom Kite and Ben Crenshaw in 1972

Tom Kite and Ben Crenshaw in 1972

Letting it fly

Letting it fly

Putting up the green on the 18th at Sawgrass

Putting up the green on the 18th at Sawgrass

The 1997 U.S. Ryder Cup Team

The 1997 U.S. Ryder Cup Team

Teammates Tom Kite and Ben Crenshaw share NCAA Medalist Honors in 1972

Teammates Tom Kite and Ben Crenshaw share NCAA Medalist Honors in 1972

1992 U.S. Open Champion Tom Kite

1992 U.S. Open Champion Tom Kite

2004 World Golf Hall of Fame Inductee Tom Kite

2004 World Golf Hall of Fame Inductee Tom Kite

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