Al Besselink
Encyclopedia
Albert Cornelius Besselink (born June 30, 1922) is an American
professional golfer
who played on the PGA Tour
in the 1950s and 1960s.
Besselink grew up in Merchantville, New Jersey
. He attended the University of Miami
and was the first UM golfer to win a national tournament. He won the Southern Invitational Championship twice before graduating in 1949. He turned pro later that year.
Besselink won five PGA Tour events including the inaugural Tournament of Champions in 1953. He was called "Bessie" by the other tour players and was known for living life with a gambler's recklessness and a showman's flair. One famous example of his showmanship occurred during the third round of the 1965 Colonial Invitational in Fort Worth when Besselink played the final four holes of his third round with a red rose -- plucked from a bush at the 15th hole -- between his teeth. Afterward, Besselink said the gesture was a nod to the "loveliness of Texas women in general and Fort Worth women in particular." The next day, locker room attendants present Besselink with 50 roses sent by female fans.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional golfer
Professional golfer
In golf the distinction between amateurs and professionals is rigorously maintained. An amateur who breaches the rules of amateur status may lose his or her amateur status. A golfer who has lost his or her amateur status may not play in amateur competitions until amateur status has been reinstated;...
who played on the PGA Tour
PGA Tour
The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
in the 1950s and 1960s.
Besselink grew up in Merchantville, New Jersey
Merchantville, New Jersey
Merchantville is a borough in Camden County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the borough population was 3,821....
. He attended the University of Miami
University of Miami
The University of Miami is a private, non-sectarian university founded in 1925 with its main campus in Coral Gables, Florida, a medical campus in Miami city proper at Civic Center, and an oceanographic research facility on Virginia Key., the university currently enrolls 15,629 students in 12...
and was the first UM golfer to win a national tournament. He won the Southern Invitational Championship twice before graduating in 1949. He turned pro later that year.
Besselink won five PGA Tour events including the inaugural Tournament of Champions in 1953. He was called "Bessie" by the other tour players and was known for living life with a gambler's recklessness and a showman's flair. One famous example of his showmanship occurred during the third round of the 1965 Colonial Invitational in Fort Worth when Besselink played the final four holes of his third round with a red rose -- plucked from a bush at the 15th hole -- between his teeth. Afterward, Besselink said the gesture was a nod to the "loveliness of Texas women in general and Fort Worth women in particular." The next day, locker room attendants present Besselink with 50 roses sent by female fans.
PGA Tour wins (5)
- 1952 Sioux City OpenSioux City OpenThe Sioux City Open was a PGA Tour event that was played for three years in the 1950s in Sioux City, Iowa. It was held at the Sioux City Boat Club, which was renamed the Two Rivers Golf Club in 1991....
- 1953 Tournament of Champions
- 1957 Kansas City Open, Caracas OpenVenezuela OpenThe Venezuela Open or Abierto de Venezuela is a men's professional golf tournament on the Tour de las Américas. It has only been staged intermittently since 1957, but can boast major winners Al Geiberger, Art Wall, Jr., David Graham, Roberto de Vicenzo and Tony Jacklin as past champions...
- 1964 Azalea Open
Other wins (14)
- One South American Open (Colombia)
- One Baron Cay Open (Venezuela)
- One Madrid Open (Spain)
- 1946 Azalea Open (as an amateur)
- 1952 International Mixed Two-Ball Open (with Babe ZahariasBabe ZahariasMildred Ella "Babe" Didrikson Zaharias was an American athlete who achieved outstanding success in golf, basketball, and track and field...
), Colombian OpenColombian OpenThe Colombian Open, or Abierto de Colombia, is a golf tournament on the Colombian Tour that was first played in 1945. It has also on occasion been an event on the Tour de las Americas.... - 1955 West Palm Beach Open
- 1956 Havana Open
- 1961 Pennsylvania Open ChampionshipPennsylvania Open ChampionshipThe Pennsylvania Open Championship is the Pennsylvania state open golf tournament, open to both amateur and professional golfers. It is organized by the Pennsylvania Golf Association. It has been played annually since 1912 at a variety of courses around the state...
- 1963 Philadelphia Open ChampionshipPhiladelphia Open ChampionshipThe Philadelphia Open Championship is an annual golf tournament played in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area. It is organized by the Golf Association of Philadelphia. It has been played annually since 1903 at member clubs in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. It was considered a PGA Tour...
- 1965 Venezuela OpenVenezuela OpenThe Venezuela Open or Abierto de Venezuela is a men's professional golf tournament on the Tour de las Américas. It has only been staged intermittently since 1957, but can boast major winners Al Geiberger, Art Wall, Jr., David Graham, Roberto de Vicenzo and Tony Jacklin as past champions...
(Feb), Venezuela OpenVenezuela OpenThe Venezuela Open or Abierto de Venezuela is a men's professional golf tournament on the Tour de las Américas. It has only been staged intermittently since 1957, but can boast major winners Al Geiberger, Art Wall, Jr., David Graham, Roberto de Vicenzo and Tony Jacklin as past champions...
(Nov) - 1966 Philadelphia Open ChampionshipPhiladelphia Open ChampionshipThe Philadelphia Open Championship is an annual golf tournament played in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area. It is organized by the Golf Association of Philadelphia. It has been played annually since 1903 at member clubs in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. It was considered a PGA Tour...