Dave Hill dies at age 74 – Golf news
James Dave Hill, a 13-time winner on the PGA Tour has died at the age of 74. Hill was struggling with emphysema for several years which finally became fatal for him. Some highlights of his career included making three Ryder Cup appearances and winning the
1969 Vardon Trophy. He was born on May 20, 1937, in Jackson, Michigan, America.
He finished second at the 1970 US Open at Hazeltine, Minnesota, and added a bit of a controversy by making a rather harsh statement of describing the course. He said, “It lacked only 80 acres of corn and a few cows to be a good farm.”
Robert Trent Jones, the architect of the course “had the blueprints upside down”, Hill added.
Mike Hill, Dave’s brother said, “What he said about Hazeltine was the absolute, honest to God truth. Players like Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player sat in the locker room and laughed, they knew it was true, but because of them not wanting to
get involved, they would never say it, he was very opinionated and stubborn.”
Hazeltine did get an extensive re-design before it could host another major, which it did when it conducted the US Open in 1991.
Hill was known for his quick wit and biting sarcasm while his brother, Mike also mentioned that Dave was always the one to speak his heart and mind, as he used to say, “You should not ask the question if you do not like that answer.”
Hill was also reported to claim to have paid a farmer to borrow his tractor, as he intended to ride the tractor out onto the golf course as he hoisted the trophy at the 1970 US Open, which he did not win.
In 1969, Hill bagged three tournaments and finished second on the money list resulting in earning him his first Ryder Cup appearance. He also won six times on the Champions Tour. Although, he did regret missing out on winning the US Open.
Hill is part of golf’s colourful history as he is known as a great player who embraced the sport. He will be sorely missed, by fans, friends and family. Hill has a son, David and daughter, Laura. Services are scheduled on Sunday at the Clark Lake Golf Course.
Tags: