Wargo was born in Marlette in the heart of "The Thumb" of Michigan, and grew up on a nearby dairy farm. He attended Mayville High School. He did not play golf until he taught himself to play at age 25. Prior to his career as a professional golfer, he had worked as an iron worker, assembly-line autoworker, bartender and fisherman in Alaska.
Professional career
Wargo turned pro in 1976. He spent most of his regular PGA career years as the head club pro at the Greenview GC that he owned until 2009 in Centralia, Illinois. In 1992, he received the PGA Club Professional-of-the-Year award. Wargo played in only a handful of PGA Tour events. His best finish in a PGA Tour event, which was a major championship, was a T-28 at the 1992PGA Championship.