Mike Fetchick

Michael Fetchick (October 13, 1922 – March 8, 2012) was an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour and the Senior PGA Tour.

Mike Fetchick
Personal information
Full nameMichael Fetchick
Born(1922-10-13)October 13, 1922
Yonkers, New York
DiedMarch 8, 2012(2012-03-08) (aged 89)
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight200 lb (91 kg; 14 st)
Nationality United States
Career
Turned professional1950
Former tour(s)PGA Tour
Champions Tour
Professional wins10
Number of wins by tour
PGA Tour3
PGA Tour Champions1
Other4 (regular)
2 (senior)
Best results in major championships
Masters TournamentT16: 1957
PGA ChampionshipT23: 1964
U.S. OpenT13: 1957
The Open ChampionshipDNP

Fetchick was born in Yonkers, New York. He turned pro in 1950 and joined the PGA Tour in 1952. He won the 1956 Western Open at The Presidio in San Francisco, California in an 18-hole playoff over Doug Ford, Jay Hebert and Don January. In the 1950s, the Western Open was considered by some to be one of major championships in men's professional golf along with The Masters, U.S. Open and the PGA Championship. It's generally conceded by golf historians that Fetchick's victory over the sports top stars resulted in a demotion for the Western Open below the other majors.[1] His best finish in an event considered to be one of four modern major championships was T13 at the 1957 U.S. Open.[2]

Prior to Scott Hoch winning in 2019 at the age of 63 years and 5 months, Fetchick held the Champions Tour record for the oldest winner (1985 Hilton Head Seniors International on his 63rd birthday), and the longest time between his last PGA Tour victory and his first Champions Tour victory: 28 years, 9 months and 27 days. Fetchick also finished T-2 (playoff loss) at the 1990 NYNEX Commemorative at age 67.[3]

Fetchick died in 2012.[4]

Professional wins (10)

PGA Tour wins (3)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
1 Mar 18, 1956 St. Petersburg Open −13 (69-68-69-69=275) Playoff Lionel Hebert
2 Oct 15, 1956 Western Open −4 (71-69-74-70=284) Playoff Doug Ford, Jay Hebert,
Don January
3 Dec 16, 1956 Mayfair Inn Open −17 (65-63-67-68=263) 2 strokes Frank Stranahan

Other wins (4)

Senior PGA Tour wins (1)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runners-up
1 Oct 13, 1985 Hilton Head Seniors International −6 (69-69-72=210) 2 strokes Al Chandler, Gene Littler,
Orville Moody

Senior PGA Tour playoff record (0–1)

No.YearTournamentOpponentsResult
1 1990 NYNEX Commemorative Jimmy Powell, Chi-Chi Rodríguez,
Lee Trevino
Trevino won with birdie on fifth extra hole
Powell and Rodríguez eliminated with birdie on first hole

Other senior wins (2)

References

  1. Ziehm, Len (July 2, 2006). "Part of history becoming history: Final Western Open this week puts". Chicago Sun Times. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
  2. "Golf Major Championships – Mike Fetchick". Retrieved March 28, 2012.
  3. Yannis, Alex (June 4, 1990). "Trevino Is Winner On 5th Playoff Hole". The New York Times. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
  4. Fields, Bill (March 26, 2012). "Fetchick, Oldest Senior Tour Winner, Dies at 89". Golf World: 15. Archived from the original on August 3, 2012. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
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