Graham Marsh

Last updated

Graham Marsh
MBE
Personal information
Full nameGraham Vivian Marsh
Born (1944-01-14) 14 January 1944 (age 80)
Kalgoorlie, Australia
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight187 lb (85 kg; 13.4 st)
Sporting nationalityFlag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia
Career
College University of Western Australia
Claremont Teachers College
Turned professional1969
Former tour(s) PGA Tour
European Tour
PGA of Japan Tour
Asia Golf Circuit
PGA Tour of Australia
New Zealand Golf Circuit
Champions Tour
Professional wins70
Number of wins by tour
PGA Tour1
European Tour10
Japan Golf Tour20 (Tied-9th all-time)
PGA Tour of Australasia7
PGA Tour Champions6
Other22 (Regular)
4 (Senior)
Best results in major championships
Masters Tournament T9: 1976
PGA Championship T7: 1978
U.S. Open T16: 1979
The Open Championship 4th: 1983
Achievements and awards
New Zealand Golf Circuit
money list winner
1970–71
Asia Golf Circuit
Order of Merit winner
1972, 1973

Graham Vivian Marsh MBE (born 14 January 1944) is an Australian golfer. In 1968, Marsh turned pro and won several tournaments on the Australasian circuits early in his career. He joined the PGA Tour in the mid-1970s and won the 1977 Heritage Classic. However, he elected to focus the remainder of his career overseas, ultimately winning ten times on the European Tour and twenty times on the Japan Golf Tour. As a senior, he continued with much success on the Champions Tour, winning two senior majors, including the U.S. Senior Open.

Contents

Early life

Marsh was born in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia. His brother was cricketer Rod Marsh.

Marsh attended the University of Western Australia and Claremont Teachers College. Marsh is a former mathematics teacher. [1]

Professional career

Marsh's first professional tournament was in May 1968 at South Australian Open. He finished in solo third place. Peter Thomson, writing about the event for The Age, stated that "this talented player seems sure to finish higher before long." [2] In 1970 he played well at New Zealand's Caltex Tournament. Entering the par-5 18th hole he was tied for the lead with Maurice Bembridge and Terry Kendall. However, he could only make par. His competitors played the hole under par to defeat him. Marsh finished in solo third at 287, one behind. [3]

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s Marsh was a regular winner on the European Tour, the Japan Golf Tour and the PGA Tour of Australasia. He also won several events in Asia outside Japan, winning the Asia Golf Circuit overall title in 1972 and 1973, [4] [5] and one on the U.S.-based PGA Tour, the 1977 Heritage Classic. Marsh had an outstanding win rate on the European Tour, where he accumulated eleven titles even though he never played more than seven events in Europe in a season. He also won the Colgate World Match Play Championship, which was not an official money European Tour event at the time, in England in 1977. He had 56 wins in all in his regular career, making him one of the most successful players of his era not to win a major championship.

Senior career

As a senior, Marsh has played extensively in the United States on the Champions Tour winning six events including two senior majors: the 1997 U.S. Senior Open and the 1999 Tradition. He has also won the Japan Senior Open twice.

Marsh is also active in golf course design through Graham Marsh Golf Design which he established in 1986. The company's early projects were in Australia and Japan, but it later branched out to other parts of Asia, Europe and the United States. His work has included courses such as The Vines Resort (Perth), Palm Meadows Resort (Gold Coast) Old Silo (Kentucky), Twin Creeks Golf and Country Club (New South Wales) and Terrey Hills Golf & Country Club just to name a few. During this era, Marsh was also the chairman of the PGA Tour of Australasia as well.

In 2004, he became the first player on the four main golf tours (PGA Tour, European Tour, Champions Tour or the European Senior Tour) to ace the same hole twice in a tournament when he had a hole-in-one on No. 11 at Royal Portrush Golf Club during the 2004 Senior British Open Championship. [6]

Awards and honors

Professional wins (70)

PGA Tour wins (1)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner-up
127 Mar 1977 Heritage Classic −11 (65-72-67-69=273)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Tom Watson

European Tour wins (10)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
130 Jul 1972 Swiss Open −14 (67-67-66-70=270)1 stroke Flag of England.svg Tony Jacklin
26 Aug 1972 German Open −13 (70-70-67-64=271)4 strokes Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Brian Huggett
330 Jun 1973 Sunbeam Electric Scottish Open −2 (72-69-68-77=286)6 strokes Flag of England.svg Peter Oosterhuis
425 Sep 1976 Benson & Hedges International Open −12 (67-66-71-68=272)2 strokes Flag of England.svg Mark James
529 Jul 1979 Dutch Open −3 (71-70-74-70=285)1 stroke Flag of Spain (1977-1981).svg Antonio Garrido, Flag of England.svg Malcolm Gregson
66 Oct 1979 Dunlop Masters −5 (70-68-72-73=283)1 stroke Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Isao Aoki, Flag of England.svg Neil Coles
710 Aug 1980 Benson & Hedges International Open (2)−16 (65-64-73-70=272)2 strokes Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg John Bland
86 Sep 1981 Dixcel Tissues European Open −13 (67-72-68-68=275)2 strokes Flag of Spain (1977-1981).svg Seve Ballesteros
913 Jul 1985 Lawrence Batley International Golf Classic −5 (69-71-70-73=283)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Rick Hartmann
1028 Jul 1985 KLM Dutch Open (2)−6 (68-68-73-73=282)1 stroke Flag of Germany.svg Bernhard Langer

European Tour playoff record (0–1)

No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
1 1975 Scandinavian Enterprise Open Flag of the United States.svg George Burns Lost to par on first extra hole

Other European wins (3)

PGA of Japan Tour wins (20)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
112 Aug 1973 Fujisankei Classic −16 (68-66-70-68=272)1 stroke Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Tōru Nakamura
212 May 1974 Fujisankei Classic (2)−12 (71-67-71-67=276)1 stroke Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Tōru Nakamura
319 May 1974 Dunlop Tournament −12 (68-67-68-69=276)3 strokes Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Masashi Ozaki, Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Teruo Sugihara
426 May 1974 Pepsi-Wilson Tournament −4 (71-74-72-67=284)Playoff Flag of the Republic of China.svg Hsieh Yung-yo
53 Nov 1974 Bridgestone Tournament −10 (67-75-67-69=278)1 stroke Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Seiichi Numazawa
615 Jun 1975 Sapporo Tokyu Open −8 (71-71-71-67=280)1 stroke Flag of the Republic of China.svg Hsieh Yung-yo, Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Shozo Miyamoto
729 Aug 1976 KBC Augusta −9 (69-69-69=207)*Playoff Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Haruo Yasuda
812 Sep 1976 Suntory Open −15 (66-68-66-73=273)3 strokes Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Isao Aoki
928 Nov 1976 Dunlop Phoenix Tournament −16 (66-69-65-72=272)6 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Miller Barber
101 May 1977 Chunichi Crowns E (71-73-70-66=280)4 strokes Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Kenji Mori
112 Sep 1979 ANA Sapporo Open −4 (71-73-68-72=284)2 strokes Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Kikuo Arai
123 May 1981 Chunichi Crowns (2)−3 (73-72-65-67=277)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg D. A. Weibring
1321 Jun 1981 Pepsi-Wilson Tournament (2)−18 (70-68-66-66=270)1 stroke Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Yutaka Hagawa
1430 May 1982 Mitsubishi Galant Tournament (2)−13 (66-69-69-67=271)Playoff Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Teruo Sugihara
1519 Jun 1983 Yomiuri Open −12 (72-71-67-70=280)Playoff Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Tōru Nakamura
166 Oct 1985 Tokai Classic −10 (70-71-68-69=278)1 stroke Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Isao Aoki
1714 Sep 1986 Suntory Open (2)−13 (67-69-67-72=275)Playoff Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Isao Aoki
1815 Nov 1987 Visa Taiheiyo Club Masters −12 (70-69-71-66=276)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Tom Watson
1911 Jun 1989 Sapporo Tokyu Open (2)−6 (71-65-76-70=282)3 strokes Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Katsuji Hasegawa, Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Tsuneyuki Nakajima
2030 Sep 1990 Tokai Classic (2)−10 (70-72-64=206)*2 strokes Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Saburo Fujiki, Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Tadami Ueno

*Note: Tournament shortened to 54 holes due to weather.

PGA of Japan Tour playoff record (5–5)

No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
1 1973 World Friendship Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Isao Aoki, Flag of the Republic of China.svg Lu Liang-Huan Lu won with birdie on first extra hole
2 1974 Pepsi-Wilson Tournament Flag of the Republic of China.svg Hsieh Yung-yo Won with birdie on fourth extra hole
3 1976 Pepsi-Wilson Tournament Flag of Australia (converted).svg Brian Jones, Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Shozo Miyamoto,
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Peter Thomson
Thomson won with par on fourteenth extra hole
Jones eliminated by par on fourth hole
Miyamoto eliminated by par on first hole
41976 KBC Augusta Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Haruo Yasuda Won with birdie on first extra hole
5 1978 Japan Open Golf Championship Flag of Spain (1977-1981).svg Seve Ballesteros Lost to birdie on first extra hole
6 1982 Fujisankei Classic Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Tsuneyuki Nakajima Lost to par on first extra hole
71982 Mitsubishi Galant Tournament Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Teruo Sugihara Won with par on first extra hole
8 1983 Pocari-Sweat Hakuryuko Open Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Saburo Fujiki, Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Shinsaku Maeda,
Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Hiroshi Makino
Makino won with birdie on second extra hole after three-hole aggregate playoff;
Fujiki: −1 (3-4-4=11),
Makino: −1 (3-4-4=11),
Marsh: +1 (3-5-5=13),
Maeda: +2 (4-5-5=14)
91983 Yomiuri Open Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Tōru Nakamura Won with birdie on third extra hole
10 1986 Suntory Open Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Isao Aoki Won with par on first extra hole

Other Japan wins (5)

Asia Golf Circuit wins (5)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
121 Mar 1971 Indian Open −17 (66-66-74-69=275)1 stroke Flag of Australia (converted).svg David Graham
225 Mar 1973 Indian Open (2)−12 (71-73-68-68=280)3 strokes Flag of Australia (converted).svg Stewart Ginn
31 Apr 1973 Thailand Open −2 (75-73-66-72=286)2 strokes Flag of the Philippines (navy blue).svg Ben Arda, Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg Mitsutaka Kono
410 Mar 1974 Malaysian Open −10 (69-70-69-70=278)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Wally Kuchar
59 Mar 1975 Malaysian Open (2)−12 (66-69-71-70=276)2 strokes Flag of the Republic of China.svg Hsieh Min-Nan

Asia Golf Circuit playoff record (0–2)

No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
1 1974 Hong Kong Open Flag of the Republic of China.svg Lu Liang-Huan Lost to birdie on third extra hole
21974 Indonesia Open Flag of the Philippines (navy blue).svg Ben Arda, Flag of the Republic of China.svg Hsu Chi-san Arda won with par on sixth extra hole
Hsu eliminated by par on first hole

Other Asian wins (1)

PGA Tour of Australia wins (7)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
19 Apr 1978 Western Australia PGA Championship −8 (71-70-69-70=280)7 strokes Flag of Australia (converted).svg Graham Johnson
224 Jan 1982 Ford Dealers South Australian Open −13 (71-67-67-70=275)8 strokes Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bill Dunk
321 Feb 1982 Australian Masters −3 (71-72-71-75=289)1 stroke Flag of Australia (converted).svg Stewart Ginn
417 Oct 1982 Dunhill Queensland Open −3 (73-69-70-73=285)Playoff Flag of Australia (converted).svg Wayne Grady
57 Nov 1982 Mayne Nickless Australian PGA Championship −6 (71-69-70-72=282)3 strokes Flag of Australia (converted).svg John Clifford, Flag of the United States.svg Ben Crenshaw,
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Bob Shearer
630 Oct 1983 Resch's Pilsner Tweed Classic −12 (69-70-70-67=276)1 stroke Flag of Australia (converted).svg Terry Gale
711 Dec 1983 New Zealand PGA Championship −11 (70-72-68-67=277)2 strokes Flag of Australia (converted).svg Vaughan Somers

PGA Tour of Australia playoff record (1–1)

No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
11976 Victorian Open Flag of England.svg Guy Wolstenholme Lost to birdie on third extra hole
21982 Dunhill Queensland Open Flag of Australia (converted).svg Wayne Grady Won with par on first extra hole

Other Australian wins (6)

New Zealand Golf Circuit wins (2)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner-up
119 Dec 1970 Wattie's Tournament −18 (65-65-62-70=262)3 strokes Flag of Australia (converted).svg Kel Nagle
23 Jan 1971 Spalding Masters −14 (67-67-66-66=266)2 strokes Flag of England.svg Guy Wolstenholme

Champions Tour wins (6)

Legend
Champions Tour major championships (2)
Other Champions Tour (4)
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
14 Jun 1995 Bruno's Memorial Classic −15 (68-63-70=201)5 strokes Flag of the United States.svg J. C. Snead
25 May 1996 PaineWebber Invitational −10 (66-71-69=206)1 stroke Flag of Scotland.svg Brian Barnes, Flag of the United States.svg Tom Wargo
31 Sep 1996 Franklin Quest Championship −14 (70-65-67=202)2 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Kermit Zarley
422 Jun 1997 Nationwide Championship −18 (67-68-70=205)1 stroke Flag of the United States.svg Hale Irwin
529 Jun 1997 U.S. Senior Open −8 (72-67-67-74=280)1 stroke Flag of South Africa.svg John Bland
64 Apr 1999 The Tradition −8 (69-67=136)*3 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Larry Nelson

*Note: The 1999 Tradition was shortened to 36 holes due to snow.

Champions Tour playoff record (0–1)

No.YearTournamentOpponentResult
1 2004 MasterCard Classic Flag of the United States.svg Ed Fiori Lost to par on third extra hole

Other senior wins (4)

Results in major championships

Tournament1970197119721973197419751976197719781979
Masters Tournament T31T22T9T31T28
U.S. Open T35CUTT16
The Open Championship T2557T50T31T446T17T15CUTT7
PGA Championship T58T7T16
Tournament1980198119821983198419851986198719881989
Masters Tournament T33
U.S. Open
The Open Championship T45T19T254T9T20T56T11T38
PGA Championship
Tournament199019911992199319941995199619971998
Masters Tournament
U.S. Open CUT
The Open Championship T44
PGA Championship
  Top 10
  Did not play

CUT = missed the half-way cut
"T" indicates a tie for a place

Summary

TournamentWins2nd3rdTop-5Top-10Top-25EventsCuts made
Masters Tournament 00001266
U.S. Open 00000142
The Open Championship 00014112019
PGA Championship 00001233
Totals00016163330

Champions Tour major championships

Wins (2)

YearChampionshipWinning ScoreMarginRunner-up
1997 U.S. Senior Open E (72-67-67-74=280)1 stroke Flag of South Africa.svg John Bland
1999 The Tradition −8 (69-67=136)3 strokes Flag of the United States.svg Larry Nelson

Team appearances

See also

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References

  1. "Marsh the 'Danger Man'". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved 1 December 2020.
  2. Thomson, Peter (27 May 1968). "'Quiet' End to SA Open". The Age. Melbourne. p. 21 via Newspapers.com.
  3. "Two tie in NZ". The Age. Melbourne. 23 November 1970. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
  4. "Graham Marsh 1st". The Canberra Times. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 24 April 1972. p. 13. Retrieved 20 February 2020 via Trove.
  5. "Marsh Best in Asian Golf Circuit". The Canberra Times. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 21 December 1973. p. 14. Retrieved 20 February 2020 via Trove.
  6. "Marsh calls historic feat 'freaky'". ESPN. Associated Press. 24 July 2004. Retrieved 3 February 2023.
  7. "Awards, Rookies of the Year – Men Pros". Golf Digest. February 1978. p. 135.
  8. "Marsh victor for the 3rd time". Pacific Stars And Stripes. 10 May 1977.
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  10. "Marsh wins". The Sydney Morning Herald . 1 June 1976. p. 12.