Great Golfers Americans Don’t Know #3 - Dave Thomas.
Great Golfers Americans Don’t Know #3 - Dave Thomas.
Hi, I’m Mel Sole, Director of Instruction at the Mel Sole Golf School, headquartered at Pawleys Plantation Golf and Country Club in Pawleys Island, SC. We conduct 1, 2, and 3-day golf schools, hourly golf lessons, and senior golf schools—any golf instruction program your heart desires. Give us a call at 800-624-4653 or 843-237-4993. We will be happy to book a commuter school or a package that contains accommodations, golf, and golf school.
Golf Blog by the Mel Sole Golf School.
I recently posted stories about Tour Players Bobby Locke from South Africa and Max Faulkner from England, who had amazing careers. I realized that other highly successful players from the past need to be remembered. Here is #3 in this series.
Dave Thomas, Welshman.
Dave Thomas was one of Britain's great golfers during the 1950s and '60s. Thomas won more than a dozen tournaments in Britain and Europe, including the French Open and the Dutch Open. He lost the British Open in a playoff with Peter Thompson in 1958 at Royal Lytham and finished runner-up at the 1966 Open, 1 stroke behind Jack Nicklaus. Pretty awesome!
Thomas also represented Great Britain in the Ryder cup in 1959, 1963, 1965, and 1967 with excellent results. He also represented Wales in the World Cup 11 times.
Finished 2nd in the St. Paul Open.
Thomas didn't have the same success when he tried competing in the USA, but spectators admired his long, straight drives. He finished second in the St. Paul Open and won a qualifying tournament for the U.S. Open in 1964.
What amazed me was that he set up a golf course design business after he retired from playing with health problems. Thomas designed over 100 courses, including PGA National courses at Ryder Cup venue The Belfry.
Many of my family and friends don't know if I had a picture of Dave Thomas on my bedroom wall while still an amateur. I didn't know a lot about him, but the picture of his powerful swing inspired me to be a better golfer!
Read Brandel Chamblee's story remembering Dave Thomas. (A must-read)
Source: Mel Sole
Pictures: Wikipedia Golf Channel
Thanks for reading - Great Golfers Americans Don’t Know #3 - Dave Thomas. You now know a lot more about Welshman Dave Thomas.
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Great Golfers Americans Don’t Know #2. Max Faulkner.
Great Golfers Americans Don’t Know #1 - Bobby Locke.
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