John Benda
Encyclopedia
John Benda is an American professional golfer
playing on the European Seniors Tour
.
Benda was born in Sheridan, Wyoming
and currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona
. His wife, Veronica, is a native of Chile
, and they have no children.
Benda turned professional in 1971. He twice played in the The Open Championship
(1979 and 1980) with his best finish being two strokes behind the third round cut in 1980 at Muirfield, Scotland
.
In 2007, Benda enjoyed his best year competing on the European Seniors Tour. He was runner-up at the Sharp Italian Seniors Open in May, helped by his lowest ever senior round, a nine-under-par 63 in the second round, besting the course record set by Arnold Palmer
, to collect his biggest prize: €15,000. A tied 13th finish at the Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open
gave the American his next best result of the campaign. Ended in 59th spot on the Order of Merit in 2006 and just like in 2005, he returned to the Qualifying School
to secure a conditional card. Spent much of his career playing in Asia and went on to become an administrator on the Asian
and South American Tours, before focusing on playing senior golf.
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;...
playing on the European Seniors Tour
European Seniors Tour
The European Seniors Tour is a professional tour for male golfers aged 50 and over run by the PGA European Tour.The Tour was founded in 1992. In 2008 it had a total prize fund of €7,729,284, so it is much further behind the U.S.-based Champions Tour in relative prize money than the main European...
.
Benda was born in Sheridan, Wyoming
Sheridan, Wyoming
Sheridan is a city in Sheridan County, Wyoming, United States. The 2010 census put the population at 17,444 and a Micropolitan Statistical Area of 29,116...
and currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
. His wife, Veronica, is a native of Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
, and they have no children.
Benda turned professional in 1971. He twice played in the The Open Championship
The Open Championship
The Open Championship, or simply The Open , is the oldest of the four major championships in professional golf. It is the only "major" held outside the USA and is administered by The R&A, which is the governing body of golf outside the USA and Mexico...
(1979 and 1980) with his best finish being two strokes behind the third round cut in 1980 at Muirfield, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
.
In 2007, Benda enjoyed his best year competing on the European Seniors Tour. He was runner-up at the Sharp Italian Seniors Open in May, helped by his lowest ever senior round, a nine-under-par 63 in the second round, besting the course record set by Arnold Palmer
Arnold Palmer
Arnold Daniel Palmer is an American professional golfer, who is generally regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of men's professional golf. He has won numerous events on both the PGA Tour and Champions Tour, dating back to 1955...
, to collect his biggest prize: €15,000. A tied 13th finish at the Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open
Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open
The Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open is the Swiss stop on men's professional golf's European Seniors Tour. It was founded in 1997 as the Credit Suisse Private Banking Seniors Open and assumed its present name two years later. It is played at Bad Ragaz Golf Club...
gave the American his next best result of the campaign. Ended in 59th spot on the Order of Merit in 2006 and just like in 2005, he returned to the Qualifying School
Qualifying school
In professional golf the term qualifying school is used for the annual qualifying tournaments for leading golf tours such as the U.S. based PGA and LPGA Tours and the European Tour. A fixed number of players in the event win membership of the tour for the following season, otherwise known as a...
to secure a conditional card. Spent much of his career playing in Asia and went on to become an administrator on the Asian
Asian Tour
The Asian Tour is the principal men's professional golf tour in Asia except for Japan, which has its own Japan Golf Tour, which is also a full member of the International Federation of PGA Tours. The Asian Tour is administered from offices in Singapore...
and South American Tours, before focusing on playing senior golf.
Tournament wins (2)
this list may be incomplete- 1973 Iowa OpenIowa OpenThe Iowa Open is the Iowa state open golf tournament, open to both amateur and professional golfers. It is organized by the Iowa section of the PGA of America...
- 1985 Waterloo Open Golf ClassicWaterloo Open Golf ClassicThe Waterloo Jaycees Greater Waterloo Open Golf Classic is a the oldest and largest golf tournament in the state of Iowa. It has been played annually since 1934, and celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2008...