Frank Strafaci

Frank Strafaci (April 24, 1916 – February 19, 1988) was an American amateur golfer, who competed against the top amateurs of his time. He is remembered as one of Brooklyn's top amateur golfers.

Career

Frank Strafaci was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. He started his dominance on the amateur scene at Dyker Beach Golf Course in 1935 when he joined the Shoreview Golf Club. He won the U.S. Amateur Public Links in 1935.[1] He won the Shoreview's Club Championship in 1936 and again in 1938. Over the next 15 years he dominated amateur golf in the area. He won the Long Island Golf Association Amateur Championship five times, the Metropolitan Amateur seven times, the North and South Amateur twice and the Richardson Invitational Championship twice. He also took his talents overseas, playing in the British and French Amateur Championships.

In 1954, Strafaci played in the U.S. Amateur and had a very interesting first match opponent named Arnold Palmer; this was Palmer's final amateur appearance before turning professional. Palmer later stated that his toughest match was against Strafaci, who was all square with him entering the 17th hole. Palmer eventually beat Strafaci 1-up and went on to win the championship.[2][3]

Strafaci semi-retired from amateur golf in the late 1950s and became Executive Director of the Florida Golf Association. In 1960 he became the Director of Golf at the famed Doral Country Club.[4] He has been credited with naming the course the "Blue Monster". He continued to live in Florida until his death in 1988.

Family

Strafaci was one of five brothers, all of whom were top amateur golfers. His brother, Thomas U. Strafaci, was the only brother to turn professional and became the head golf pro with his son Thomas Strafaci, Jr. at Dyker Beach Golf Course in Brooklyn.

Amateur wins (21)

Other career highlights

Results in major championships

Tournament 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939
Masters Tournament DNP DNP DNP WD DNP
U.S. Open DNP DNP 9 DNP DNP
U.S. Amateur R256 R32 R16 R16 R64
The Amateur Championship DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
Tournament 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949
Masters Tournament DNP DNP DNP NT NT NT DNP DNP DNP DNP
U.S. Open DNP DNP NT NT NT NT CUT DNP DNP DNP
U.S. Amateur R16 R32 NT NT NT NT DNP QF R256 QF
The Amateur Championship NT NT NT NT NT NT DNP DNP DNP DNP
Tournament 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958
Masters Tournament 58 DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
U.S. Open DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
U.S. Amateur DNP R128 R64 R64 R256 R128 DNP R128 DNP
The Amateur Championship R256 R256 R16 R128 R64 R64 R128 R64 R32

NT = No tournament
DNP = Did not play
WD = Withdrew
"T" indicates a tie for a place
R256, R128, R64, R32, R16, QF, SF = Round in which player lost in match play
Yellow background for top-10

Source for The Masters: www.masters.com

Source for U.S. Open and U.S. Amateur: USGA Championship Database

Source for 1950 British Amateur: The Glasgow Herald, May 24, 1950, pg. 7.

Source for 1951 British Amateur: The Glasgow Herald, May 22, 1951, pg. 6.

Source for 1952 British Amateur: The Glasgow Herald, May 30, 1952, pg. 2.

Source for 1953 British Amateur: The Glasgow Herald, May 28, 1953, pg. 4.

Source for 1954 British Amateur: The Glasgow Herald, May 27, 1954, pg. 4.

Source for 1955 British Amateur: The Glasgow Herald, June 2, 1955, pg. 4.

Source for 1956 British Amateur: The Glasgow Herald, May 30, 1956, pg. 4.

Source for 1957 British Amateur: The Glasgow Herald, May 29, 1957, pg. 4.

Source for 1958 British Amateur: The Glasgow Herald, June 5, 1958, pg. 4.

References

  1. ↑ 1935 U.S. Amateur Public Links
  2. ↑ Arnold Palmer: Kingdom Magazine - Where it all Began
  3. ↑ 1954 U.S. Amateur
  4. ↑ For 40 years, tackling the Blue Monster at Doral has been - 03.04.02 - SI Vault
  5. ↑ Frank Strafaci - Masters results
  6. ↑ Frank Strafaci - U.S. Open results
  7. ↑ Western Amateur - Championship History
  8. ↑ Golf Medal Taken by Frank Strafaci
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