Billy Casper Dies at 83

ESPN ^ | 8 Feb 2015 | Anon

[Rummyfan]

SAN DIEGO -- Billy Casper, one of the most prolific winners on the PGA Tour who was overshadowed at the height of his career by the "Big Three," died Saturday at his home in Utah. He was 83.

Bob Casper said his father died quickly and peacefully with wife Shirley at his bedside. They had been married 62 years. Casper passed out in the clubhouse at the Masters last year, had work on his heart and recovered from a bout of pneumonia over Thanksgiving. His son said Casper was going to cardio rehab for the past four months and was doing well until he started to feel badly in the past week.

In any other era, Casper might have commanded more attention than he did.

Casper Among Golf's Legends Though overshadowed for most of his illustrious career by Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player, three-time major champ Billy Casper ranks seventh in career PGA Tour wins with 51.

Player Tour wins Sam Snead 82 Tiger Woods 79 Jack Nicklaus 73 Ben Hogan 64 Arnold Palmer 62 Byron Nelson 52 Billy Casper 51* *3 major wins --ESPN Stats & Information He won 51 times on the PGA Tour, putting him at No. 7 on the career list behind only Sam Snead, Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer and Byron Nelson. His three major championships include the 1966 U.S. Open, one of golf's most remarkable comebacks. He rallied from a 7-shot deficit on the back nine at Olympic Club to tie Palmer, and he beat him in an 18-hole playoff

[Rummyfan]

More than golf, Casper was devoted to family. He had 11 children, six of them adopted, and became a Mormon just as his career was taking off.

[ScottinVA]

RIP, Billy. Even as a kid, I remember the epic battle you and Arnold Palmer had in the 1966 U.S. Open.

[dancusa]

2 former GHO(Greater Hartford Open) winners passed away in the last week.

Charlie Sifford(1967) and Billy Casper(1973).

[exPBRrat]

Last of the great wrist putters. R.I.P. Billy

[StoneWall Brigade]

RIP

[ExCTCitizen]

RIP Billy. God blessed you with a 18 hole golf course. Prayers to his family.

[ExCTCitizen]

Charlie died?? He was the first black to win in golf at the GHO.

[Bulwinkle]

Casper a Ghost

[Terry L Smith]

Now, on a quiet foggy morning on the local golf course, just listen to the whisper in the breeze ...... ‘Fore!’

Ave’ Billy Casper, I watched ye when I was young.

[Rummyfan]

One more note on Billy Casper:

Casper is survived by his wife, 11 children, six of whom are adopted, and 71 grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Wow!