By Fred Altvater
Over the past two years Tom Weiskopf struggled with pancreatic cancer, but continued to work on course renovations and design, until the very end.
Always in the shadow of Jack Nicklaus, his contemporary at Ohio State, as well as on the PGA Tour, Weiskopf was a curious study throughout his professional career. He could be moody and quiet, but when he became a golf announcer, his insight and intelligence was evident.
He competed with Jack Nicklaus his entire golfing career and sometimes it seemed like being in the Golden Bear’s shadow was a bit too much to bear.
He was famous for saying of Nicklaus, “Jack knew he was going to beat you. You knew Jack was going to beat you. And Jack knew you knew, he was going to beat you.”
Weiskopf’s golf swing was a thing of beauty, he did have 16 career PGA Tour victories, but under the heat of major competition it failed to produce wins. Tom possessed mental demons that seemed to prevent him from achieving greatness.
He did win his lone major championship title at the 1973 British Open held at Troon over Johnny Miller, who had just won the U.S. Open one month earlier and Jack Nicklaus, who finished fourth.
Ultimately, he became known more for the majors he didn’t win. He finished runner-up at the Masters on four occasions. Most famously in 1975, when Jack Nicklaus once again slipped past both Weiskopf and Johnny Miller to don his fifth Green Jacket, while Miller and Weiskopf were to be denied ever experiencing a Green Jacket Ceremony in Butler Cabin.
Terrific Tom came close at the other two majors as well, finishing runner-up in the 1976 U.S. Open and third in the 1975 PGA Championship.
After his playing days were over, he took to the broadcast booth, but primarily is known for his 40 brilliant golf designs. He is credited with adding the Ocean and Cliffs Courses to the Olympic Club in San Francisco. His work at Troon North in Arizona and Loch Lomond in Scotland have been lauded worldwide.
In Michigan we are blessed to have Weiskopf designs at both Shanty Creek and Forest Dunes. Both have been recognized as outstanding courses and are must-plays for golfers visiting the state.
Tom Weiskopf was somewhat of an enigma as a golfer, but his golf course designs will live on as a testament to his love of the game and appreciation for providing the best elements of golf course design.
