Class of 1984

Ben Crenshaw

Professional Player

This exhibit is generously sponsored by the Texas Golf Association

Biography

Few players are more closely identified with Texas golf than Ben Crenshaw. Born and raised in Austin, Crenshaw learned the game at Lions Municipal Golf Course and under the guidance of legendary teacher Harvey Penick. Known throughout his career for his extraordinary putting touch, deep respect for the traditions of the game, and connection with golf fans, “Gentle Ben” became one of the most admired figures of his generation.

Crenshaw’s competitive success began early. He won the 1969 Texas State Junior Championship at Brackenridge Park before joining the University of Texas golf team. From 1971 through 1973, he won three consecutive NCAA individual championships, sharing the 1972 title with teammate Tom Kite, and helped lead the Longhorns to NCAA team championships in 1971 and 1972. A three-time first-team All-American, Crenshaw won 18 collegiate tournaments before turning professional in 1973.

His transition to professional golf was immediate. After earning his PGA TOUR card, Crenshaw won the 1973 Texas Open in his first start as a PGA TOUR member. Over his career, he won 19 PGA TOUR titles, highlighted by two of the most memorable victories in Masters history. He captured his first Green Jacket in 1984 and won again in 1995, just days after the death of his longtime teacher, mentor, and friend Harvey Penick. His emotional victory at Augusta remains one of the defining moments of his career.

Crenshaw represented the United States on four Ryder Cup teams in 1981, 1983, 1987, and 1995. In 1999, he captained the U.S. Team to its historic comeback victory at The Country Club in Brookline. He also represented the United States in international team competition, including the World Cup in 1987 and 1988.

In 1991, Crenshaw received the USGA Bob Jones Award, the organization’s highest honor, in recognition of his sportsmanship, character, and respect for the game.

Crenshaw’s influence on golf extends well beyond his playing career. In 1986, he formed a golf course architecture partnership with Bill Coore. Coore & Crenshaw has become one of the most respected design teams in the game, creating courses including Sand Hills Golf Club, Kapalua’s Plantation Course, Bandon Trails, Friar’s Head, Trinity Forest, and Cabot Cliffs. Their philosophy emphasizes the land's natural character and the strategic traditions of classic golf course architecture.

Through it all, Crenshaw has remained deeply connected to Austin and Texas golf. He has been a passionate advocate for preserving Lions Municipal Golf Course, where his love of the game began, and he continues to honor the generations of Texas golfers who came before him. His career as a champion, captain, historian, architect, and steward of the game has made Ben Crenshaw one of the most important figures in Texas golf history.

Above all, Ben’s greatest pride is his family. His wife, Julie, and their three daughters, Katherine, Claire, and Anna Riley, have remained at the center of his life and the foundation behind his remarkable career.

Birthplace: Austin, Texas

Born: January 11, 1952

Legacy Video

Career Highlights

19 PGA TOUR victories, 23 wins worldwide
1984, 1995 Masters Champion
1981, 1983, 1987, 1995 Ryder Cup Team Member
1999 Ryder Cup Captain
1992 USGA Bob Jones Award
Member World Golf Hall of Fame
NCAA Individual Champion 1971, 1972, and 1973 - University of Texas
NCAA Team Champion 1971 and 1972 - University of Texas
1972 Texas State Amateur Champion
1969 Texas State Junior Champion

Keepsake Putter - A Great Return on Investment

Ben Crenshaw’s relationship with the Wilson 8802 putter is part of golf lore. He bought the putter for just $15 from the golf shop at Lions Municipal Golf Course in Austin, and it became one of the most trusted clubs of his career. Crenshaw used it to win the 1984 Masters, along with many other tournaments, and his touch on the greens helped make the 8802 forever linked with one of the game’s greatest putters

Playing in the Texas State Junior Amateur

Ben Crenshaw’s deep connection to Texas golf began at Brackenridge Park Golf Course, where he won the Texas State Junior Championship twice. Competing on the historic A.W. Tillinghast designed course helped shape both his game and his lifelong appreciation for classic golf course architecture. Those early victories offered a glimpse of the thoughtful, creative player he would become.

Joining the Tour

After making it through several stages of Q school to earn his PGA Tour card, Ben won his very first PGA Tour event as a professional. After an outstanding amateur career, including two NCAA individual championships at the University of Texas, Crenshaw turned professional in 1973. Just a week later, he captured victory at the San Antonio Texas Open at Woodlake Country Club. This rare feat showcased not only his extraordinary talent but also his ability to seamlessly transition from amateur to professional success, marking the start of a Hall of Fame career.

Harvey Taught Ben to "Putt for Something"

Harvey Penick taught Ben Crenshaw that true competition reveals itself on the putting green, especially when every stroke matters. Crenshaw learned to practice with purpose, creating pressure and always “putting for something,” whether pride, consequence, or a meaningful goal. That mindset helped shape him into one of golf’s greatest putters and reinforced the value of focus, confidence, and composure under pressure.

Reflections on Finding the Right Manager and Business Partner in Scotty Sayers

Ben Crenshaw and Scotty Sayers have been friends since their Little League baseball days in Austin, a relationship that eventually became one of the most important partnerships in Ben’s career. As Ben’s longtime manager and business partner, Scotty has skillfully guided the business side of Ben’s career, allowing Ben to focus on golf and course design. Their decades long partnership is built on friendship, trust, and a shared understanding that began long before either imagined where the game of golf would take them

Texans are Tough!

Ben Crenshaw has a deep love for golf history, often describing himself as a student of the game’s rich traditions and legendary figures. Known for his encyclopedic knowledge of golf’s past, Crenshaw has long admired the great champions, classic courses, and timeless values that shaped the sport.

Ben Crenshaw believes Texas golfers are shaped by toughness, resilience, and a willingness to play in any conditions. He has great appreciation for the Texans who laid that foundation before him, players like Ben Hogan, Jimmy Demaret, Jack Burke Jr., and Byron Nelson, whose grit, competitiveness, and character helped define what it means to be a Texas golfer.

A Great Partnership and Legacy

Ben Crenshaw’s passion for golf course architecture stems from his deep appreciation for the game’s traditions and its connection to the natural landscape. A student of classic course design, Crenshaw believes that great courses should harmonize with the land rather than dominate it. His partnership with Bill Coore, formed in 1986, reflects this philosophy. Together, as Coore & Crenshaw, they have become renowned for creating minimalist, timeless designs that emphasize strategy, playability, and respect for the terrain. Their close collaboration is built on mutual trust, shared vision, and a love for crafting courses that celebrate the spirit of golf’s golden age.

Ben and His Girls

Ben’s greatest source of pride has always been his family. His love for his wife, Julie, and their three daughters, Katherine, Claire, and Anna Riley, is at the center of his life. Through the highs and demands of a remarkable career, they have remained his foundation, his joy, and the people who matter most to him.

Deep Dive Interview

Ben talks about his early days learning golf in Texas with Harvey Penick, stories of his PGA playing days, and his interests in building golf courses and preserving golf history.

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Ben Crenshaw Early Days