Eric Monti

Eric Monti
 Golfer 
Personal information
Born (1917-12-06)December 6, 1917
Pekin, Illinois
Died February 1, 2009(2009-02-01) (aged 91)
Laguna Woods, California
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight 156 lb (71 kg; 11.1 st)
Nationality  United States
Career
Turned professional 1943
Former tour(s) PGA Tour
Professional wins 9
Number of wins by tour
PGA Tour 3
Other 6
Best results in major championships
Masters Tournament 26th: 1950
U.S. Open T6: 1961
The Open Championship DNP
PGA Championship T20: 1958

Eric Monti (December 6, 1917 – February 1, 2009) was an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s.

Monti was born in Pekin, Illinois. He started caddying at age 6, and was one of six golfing brothers. He turned professional in 1943. He moved to Los Angeles with his wife in the mid-1940s, and began play on the PGA Tour in the late 1940s, winning three times.[1][2] His best finish in a major championship was T6 at the 1961 U.S. Open.[3]

Like most golfers of his generation, Monti earned his living primarily as a club pro. He initially worked at the Los Angeles Country Club before being hired as an assistant pro to George Fazio at Hillcrest Country Club. In 1955, he became head pro at Hillcrest and developed a reputation as the teacher to the stars. Henry Fonda, Burt Lancaster, Danny Thomas, Dinah Shore, Danny Kaye, and Jack Benny were among the famous Hollywood celebrities he instructed. He worked at Hillcrest for 45 years before retiring in 1990.[1][2]

Monti died at his home in Laguna Woods, California of prostate cancer at the age of 91. His wife, Evelyn, died in 2006.[2]

Professional wins (9)

PGA Tour wins (3)

No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
1 Mar 27, 1955 Miami Beach Open –18 (69-68-65-68=270) 2 strokes United States Bob Rosburg
2 Oct 11, 1959 Hesperia Open Invitational –17 (70-68-64-69=271) 4 strokes United States Bob Duden, United States Jack Fleck, United States Jay Hebert
3 Oct 15, 1961 Ontario Open –3 (68-71-68-70=277) Playoff United States George Bayer, United States Bobby Nichols

PGA Tour playoff record (1–0)

No.YearTournamentOpponentsResult
1 1961 Ontario Open United States George Bayer, United States Bobby Nichols Won with birdie on second extra hole

Other wins (6)

References

External links

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