Escape to the golden era of the 1950s and 60s, when the world of golf saw a wave of bewitching players who left an indelible mark on the sport and among those legendary names, Dow Finsterwald rightfully owned his place.
Dow Finsterwald, an accomplished golfer of his time, excelled in a period when golf was emerging as a major sport. Born on September 6, 1929, in Athens, Ohio, Finsterwald became known for his unfaltering determination, an attribute that led him to achieve remarkable success in his golfing career.
An Ohio University Bobcat, he did not wait long after his graduation to make his mark in the arena of professional golf. Turning pro in 1951, Finsterwald wasted little time in exerting his presence, winning his first PGA Tour event, the Jacksonville Open, in 1955.
Throughout his playing years, Finsterwald wove a patchwork of brilliant performances, winning a total of 11 PGA Tour events. However, the most remembered victory of his career came at the 1958 PGA Championship. Played in match play at that time, Finsterwald demonstrated his competitive spirit that led him to clenched the prestigious Wanamaker Trophy.
This victory was historic on many fronts. Not only was it Finsterwald’s only major championship, but he also became the last player to win the PGA Championship in the match play format. From 1959, the event switched to stroke play, defining Finsterwald’s win as an end of an era.
Finsterwald was known for his incredible consistencies. He maintained a distinctive presence at the Masters Tournament. He stands in the elite list of golfers who have finished in the top-10 of Masters Tournament for four consecutive years, from 1959-1962.
In 1957, his consistency brought him a coveted accolade. Finsterwald became the first golfer to earn the Vardon Trophy under the PGA of America’s auspices, an award given annually to the PGA Tour’s leader in scoring average.
Another notable accomplishment of Finsterwald’s career came in 1958 when he was named PGA player of the year. In the same year, he was also the leading money winner on the tour, highlighting his dominance in that period.
International representation was another honored feather in Finsterwald’s cap. He represented the United States on four Ryder Cup teams, in the years 1957, 1959, 1961, and 1963. In his Ryder Cup career, Finsterwald formed an impressive 8-1-1 record, reflecting his excellence on an international platform.
Finsterwald officially signed off his playing years in 1972. However, his association with golf continued. He served as a director of golf in Colorado Springs, where his reputation and golfing wisdom greatly influenced the generations that followed him.
In several ways, Dow Finsterwald embodied the spirit of passionate and dedicated golfers. He built an impressive career that boasted of remarkable performative consistencies, exemplary representations, historical wins, and a relentless pursuit of the sport.
Even today, the tale of Dow Finsterwald resonates in the golf academy, inspiring young minds who dream with their eyes on the monumental greens of the golf course. He is not merely a man who played golf; he was, and continues to be, an integral part of the golfing legacy. The world of golf cherishes and remembers Finsterwald as an exceptional player, a true sportsman, and a legendary golfer, whose life chapters continue to be written and rewritten in gold.