Tommy Valentine

Tommy Valentine
Personal information
Full nameThomas Ervin Valentine
Born(1949-10-21)October 21, 1949
Atlanta, Georgia
DiedJuly 12, 2014(2014-07-12) (aged 64)
Sporting nationality United States
Career
CollegeUniversity of Georgia
StatusProfessional
Former tour(s)PGA Tour
Best results in major championships
Masters TournamentDNP
PGA ChampionshipT11: 1981
U.S. OpenT26: 1981
The Open ChampionshipDNP

Thomas Ervin Valentine (October 21, 1949 – July 12, 2014) was an American professional golfer.

College

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Valentine was a four-year letterman in golf for the University of Georgia team from 1968 to 1971, winning the Southeastern Conference (SEC) individual title in 1970, and helping Georgia win the SEC championship in 1969, 1970, and 1971. He was first team NCAA All-American in 1970.[1]

Professional career

Valentine competed on the PGA Tour from 1977 until 1988, earning over $300,000 during his career, which included 14 top-10 finishes.[2][3] Valentine's best finish was a second to Tom Watson in the 1981 Atlanta Classic. Valentine and Watson were tied at the end of 72 holes, and Watson won the sudden-death playoff.[4]

Later years

After leaving the PGA Tour in 1988, Valentine accepted the position of head pro at the Lochmoor Club in Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan, which he held until his retirement in 2009.

Valentine died on July 12, 2014, following a long battle with cancer.[5] He was 64.

Playoff record

PGA Tour playoff record (0–1)

No. Year Tournament Opponent Result
1 1981 Atlanta Classic United States Tom Watson Lost to par on third extra hole

See also

References

  1. ^ "University of Georgia Athletics Site".
  2. ^ "Tommy Valentine". PGA Tour.
  3. ^ "Career Stats". Database Golf.
  4. ^ "1981 Atlanta Classic". Yahoo.
  5. ^ "Standout GHS athlete, pro golfer Tommy Valentine dies". AccessNorthGeorgia.