Class of 2012

John Grace

Amateur Player

Biography

John Grace, born on April 16, 1948, in Fort Worth, Texas, is a distinguished figure in American amateur golf, celebrated for a career that spans over five decades. His achievements earned him a place in the Texas Golf Hall of Fame, where he was inducted in 2012.

Grace honed his golfing skills at the University of Houston, playing for the Cougars from 1966 to 1970. During his tenure, the team secured national championships in 1966, 1967, 1969, and 1970.

In 1974, he was runner-up in the U.S. Amateur Championship. This play elevated John to be invited to play on the Walker Cup Team in 1975 and he was invited to and played in the Masters Tournament twice. John has qualified for over 40 USGA Championships, including 19 U.S. Amateurs and 13 Mid-Amateurs. He counted 11 times as a medalist in those two USGA championships. In 2009, at age 61, Grace was the runner-up in the U.S. Senior Amateur Championship, narrowly losing to his friend Vinny Giles in a memorable final match.

John won the Texas State Amateur in 1994, four consecutive Texas Mid-Amateur titles from 1991 to 1994, the West Texas Amateur in 1996, the Texas Senior Open in 1998, the Texas Senior Amateur in 2009, and the Texas Super Senior Amateur in 2015. Demonstrating enduring excellence, Grace secured back-to-back Legends Division titles at the Texas Super Senior Amateur in 2024 and 2025, with his 2024 performance setting a record for the lowest 54-hole total in the division's history.

Beyond the greens, John Grace and his wife, Phoebe, reside in Fort Worth. They have two daughters and two grandchildren. The family cherishes outdoor activities, including fishing, hunting, and cattle raising.

Grace's unwavering dedication and remarkable achievements have solidified his legacy as a pillar of amateur golf in Texas and beyond.

Legacy Video

Inductee Highlights

1966-1970 University of Houston Golf Team
- National Champions 66, 67, 69, 70
1971 Michigan State Champion
1974 U.S. Amateur Runner-up
1975 Walker Cup Team
1994 Texas State Amateur Champion
1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 - Texas Mid-Amateur Champion
1996 West Texas Amateur Champion
1998 Texas Senior Open Champion
2009 Texas Senior Amateur Champion
2015 Texas Super Senior Amateur Champion
2024 and 2025 Texas Super Senior Amateur Champion - Legends Division
Played in 45 USGA National Championships.

1975 Walker Cup at St. Andrews

John was selected to play on the 1975 Walker Cup. The match was played on the Old Course in St. Andrews, Scotland. On day two of Foursomes, John teamed up with Bill Campbell, who would later become the President of the USGA, and he and Bill were on the short end of a ruling. John's Walker Cup teammates included George Burns, Bill Campbell, Vinny Giles, Jay Haas, Gary Koch, Jerry Pate, Dick Siderowf, Craig Stadler and Curtis Strange.

Family and the Outdoors

John Grace's life is rooted in Fort Worth, where he resides with his wife, Phoebe. Together, they have two daughters and two grandchildren. The family cherishes outdoor activities, including fishing, hunting, and cattle raising, reflecting their deep-rooted Texan heritage.

In addition to his real estate endeavors, Grace has a passion for landscaping and yard work, noted for his knowledge of weeds, soil conditions, and fruit trees.

Grace's multifaceted life exemplifies a balance between professional success and personal fulfillment, making him a respected figure both on and off the golf course.

John Grace and Phil Mickelson's Quote

At 42, John qualified for the 1990 U.S. Amateur at Cherry Hills Country Club in Denver, Colorado. He qualified for match play by winning a playoff. Taking the final spot, his first match was against the medalist, Phil Mickelson. John played hard until the end, making an impression on a young Phil Mickelson, who would win the U.S. Amateur that year.

John Grace sets record in Texas Super Senior Amateur

John Grace built a legendary career marked by success at every level of amateur competition. From his collegiate days at the University of Houston to national and international championships, Grace consistently demonstrated exceptional skill and competitive drive.

He was runner-up at the 1974 U.S. Amateur, a key member of the victorious 1975 Walker Cup team, and a multi-time participant in both the U.S. Amateur and Mid-Amateur championships. His dominance extended into senior competition, where he continued to win, including capturing the Texas Super Senior Amateur title. In 2024, Grace set a Legends Division record at the Texas Super Senior with a 54-hole total of 216, cementing his status as one of the most accomplished amateur golfers in Texas history.

John Grace Keepsake - Ben Hogan's Driver

John Grace had the rare privilege of knowing the legendary Ben Hogan, one of the greatest figures in golf history. Their friendship was rooted in mutual respect and a shared Fort Worth heritage. Early in Grace’s career, Hogan took a personal interest in the young amateur’s development. As a gesture of mentorship, Hogan gave Grace a specially weighted driver, instructing him to swing it daily to build strength, tempo, and control. This simple yet powerful training tool became a part of Grace’s daily routine, instilling in him not only physical discipline but also a deeper appreciation for the precision and work ethic that defined Hogan’s legacy. The gift symbolized more than training—it was a passing of wisdom from one Fort Worth golfing legend to another in the making.