Stan Leonard
Encyclopedia
Stan Leonard was a Canadian
professional golfer
who played on the PGA Tour
in the 1950s and 1960s. Leonard won three PGA Tour events, eight Canadian PGA Championship
s, and 16 other events on the Canadian Tour. He is a member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame
.
, and had success in top British Columbia events. He became a professional golfer in 1938, and played almost exclusively, and very successfully, on the Canadian Professional Golf Tour
until 1954, while concurrently maintaining a club job at the Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver. He competed mainly in western Canada; money was tight, prize money was low, and travel costs to eastern Canada were high. In one of his early events on the PGA Tour
, Leonard challenged to win the 1946 Crosby Pro-Am in California
, before losing to Lloyd Mangrum
.
eight times from 1940–1961, and this is a record. He was the low Canadian in the Canadian Open nine times from 1945–1961. He won the British Columbia
Open five times, the Alberta
Open nine times, and the Saskatchewan
Open twice. He won a total of six significant amateur and 40 professional tournaments in Canada over the course of his career – second only to Moe Norman
in Canadian golf history.
events between 1957 and 1960. He enjoyed a great deal of success in one major tournament
– The Masters. His best finishes at the Augusta National Golf Club
were T-4 in 1958 and 1959, T-8 in 1955 and T-9 in 1960. Leonard's game was respected by his PGA Tour rivals; legend Sam Snead
said that he was glad Leonard had not come out onto the PGA Tour full-time until he was 40 years old!
; however, he eventually made his way back home to Vancouver. He competed successfully at the Senior level in Canada, winning three Canadian Senior PGA Championships between 1967 and 1975.
He assisted in designing the Redwood Meadows Golf Course, in Bragg Creek, Alberta
, near Calgary
.
Leonard was one of the best ball strikers and longest hitters of his era, despite being a diminutive 5' 6" in height. Part of his powerful swing could be attributed to his massive forearms. The other players noticed this physical feature and gave him the nickname Popeye.
Leonard was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
in 1964, the BC Sports Hall of Fame
in 1966, and the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame
in 1972. He died of heart failure in Vancouver at the age of 90.
PGA Tour playoff record (1-1)
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
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. Leonard won three PGA Tour events, eight Canadian PGA Championship
Canadian PGA Championship
The PGA Championship of Canada is a golf tournament organized by the PGA of Canada. It was first played in 1912 as the Canadian PGA Championship. It was a Nationwide Tour event from 2001 to 2005. It was also an event on the Canadian Tour. Stan Leonard holds the record with eight victories...
s, and 16 other events on the Canadian Tour. He is a member of the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame
Canadian Golf Hall of Fame
The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum and hall of fame covering the history of the game of golf in Canada, and celebrating the careers and accomplishments of the most significant contributors to the game in that country...
.
Early years
Leonard was born in Vancouver, British Columbia. He worked as a caddyCaddy
In golf, a caddy is the person who carries a player's bag and clubs, and gives insightful advice and moral support. A good caddy is aware of the challenges and obstacles of the golf course being played, along with the best strategy in playing it. This includes knowing overall yardage, pin...
, and had success in top British Columbia events. He became a professional golfer in 1938, and played almost exclusively, and very successfully, on the Canadian Professional Golf Tour
Canadian Professional Golf Tour
The Canadian Professional Golf Tour is a men's professional golf tour headquartered in Oakville, Ontario. It was formally started in 1970 and was initially known as the Peter Jackson Tour....
until 1954, while concurrently maintaining a club job at the Marine Drive Golf Club in Vancouver. He competed mainly in western Canada; money was tight, prize money was low, and travel costs to eastern Canada were high. In one of his early events 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...
, Leonard challenged to win the 1946 Crosby Pro-Am in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, before losing to Lloyd Mangrum
Lloyd Mangrum
Lloyd Eugene Mangrum was an American professional golfer. He was known for his smooth swing and his relaxed demeanour on the course, which earned him the nickname "Mr. Icicle".Mangrum was born in Trenton, Texas...
.
Canadian success
Leonard won the Canadian PGA ChampionshipCanadian PGA Championship
The PGA Championship of Canada is a golf tournament organized by the PGA of Canada. It was first played in 1912 as the Canadian PGA Championship. It was a Nationwide Tour event from 2001 to 2005. It was also an event on the Canadian Tour. Stan Leonard holds the record with eight victories...
eight times from 1940–1961, and this is a record. He was the low Canadian in the Canadian Open nine times from 1945–1961. He won the British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
Open five times, the Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
Open nine times, and the Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
Open twice. He won a total of six significant amateur and 40 professional tournaments in Canada over the course of his career – second only to Moe Norman
Moe Norman
Murray Irwin "Moe" Norman was a Canadian professional golfer. He was widely considered the best ball striker who ever lived among the best players in the world...
in Canadian golf history.
International success
Leonard won the individual title at the Canada Cup in both 1954 and 1959. Leonard joined the PGA Tour full-time in 1954, at age 39. He won three PGA TourPGA Tour
The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
events between 1957 and 1960. He enjoyed a great deal of success in one major tournament
Men's major golf championships
The men's major golf championships, commonly known as the Major Championships, and often referred to simply as the majors, are the four most prestigious annual tournaments in professional golf...
– The Masters. His best finishes at the Augusta National Golf Club
Augusta National Golf Club
Augusta National Golf Club, located in Augusta, Georgia, is a famous men's golf club. Founded by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts and designed by Alister MacKenzie on the site of a former indigo plantation, the club opened for play in January 1933. Since 1934, it has played host to the annual...
were T-4 in 1958 and 1959, T-8 in 1955 and T-9 in 1960. Leonard's game was respected by his PGA Tour rivals; legend Sam Snead
Sam Snead
Samuel Jackson Snead was an American professional golfer who was one of the top players in the world for most of four decades. Snead won a record 82 PGA Tour events including seven majors. He failed to win a U.S...
said that he was glad Leonard had not come out onto the PGA Tour full-time until he was 40 years old!
Later years
Leonard retired from the PGA Tour in the 1960s, and took a club pro job at the Desert Island Golf Club in Palm Springs, CaliforniaPalm Springs, California
Palm Springs is a desert city in Riverside County, California, within the Coachella Valley. It is located approximately 37 miles east of San Bernardino, 111 miles east of Los Angeles and 136 miles northeast of San Diego...
; however, he eventually made his way back home to Vancouver. He competed successfully at the Senior level in Canada, winning three Canadian Senior PGA Championships between 1967 and 1975.
He assisted in designing the Redwood Meadows Golf Course, in Bragg Creek, Alberta
Bragg Creek, Alberta
Bragg Creek is a hamlet in southern Alberta under the jurisdiction of Rocky View County in Division No. 6. It is also recognized as a designated place by Statistics Canada....
, near Calgary
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
.
Leonard was one of the best ball strikers and longest hitters of his era, despite being a diminutive 5' 6" in height. Part of his powerful swing could be attributed to his massive forearms. The other players noticed this physical feature and gave him the nickname Popeye.
Leonard was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
Canada's Sports Hall of Fame is a hall of fame established in 1955 to "preserve the record of Canadian sports achievements and to promote a greater awareness of Canada's heritage of sport." It is located at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Alberta...
in 1964, the BC Sports Hall of Fame
BC Sports Hall of Fame
For over 40 years, the community has entrusted the BC Sports Hall of Fame and Museum with the responsibility to collect, preserve, study, and interpret materials that relate to British Columbia’s rich sport history...
in 1966, and the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame
Canadian Golf Hall of Fame
The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum and hall of fame covering the history of the game of golf in Canada, and celebrating the careers and accomplishments of the most significant contributors to the game in that country...
in 1972. He died of heart failure in Vancouver at the age of 90.
Amateur wins
- 1932 British Columbia Amateur
- 1934 Vancouver & Dist. Championship
- 1935 British Columbia Amateur
- 1936 Vancouver & Dist. Championship
PGA Tour wins (3)
| No. | Date | Tournament | Winning Score | Margin of Victory | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Apr 14, 1957 | Greater Greensboro Open | 3 strokes |  Mike SouchakMike Souchak Michael Souchak was an American professional golfer who won 15 times on the PGA Tour in the 1950s and 1960s, and played for the 1959 and 1961 Ryder Cup teams.-Early years, college:... |
|
| 2 | Apr 27, 1958 | Tournament of Champions | 1 stroke | Billy Casper Billy Casper William Earl Casper, Jr. is an American professional golfer who was one of the most prolific tournament winners on the PGA Tour from the mid 1950s to the mid 1970s.-Early years:... |
|
| 3 | Jul 17, 1960 | Western Open Western Open The Western Open, a professional golf tournament, was first played in 1899. At the time of its 2006 playing, the Western Open was the 3rd oldest active PGA Tour tournament, after the British Open and U.S. Open... |
Playoff | Art Wall, Jr. Art Wall, Jr. Arthur Jonathan Wall, Jr. was an American golfer.Wall was born in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. He attended Duke University, graduating in 1949 with a business degree.... |
PGA Tour playoff record (1-1)
| No. | Year | Tournament | Opponent(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1955 | Labatt Open Labatt Open The Labatt Open was a golf event on the PGA Tour that was played in Canada in the mid-1950s. It was sponsored by the Labatt Brewing Company. It was played at several different courses.Billy Casper won the first of his 51 PGA Tour wins at this event in 1956.... |
Gene Littler Gene Littler Gene Alec Littler is an American professional golfer. Known for a solid temperament and nicknamed "Gene the Machine" for his smooth rhythmical swing, he once said that, "Golf is not a game of great shots. It's a game of the best misses. The people who win make the smallest mistakes."-Early years... |
Lost to par on first extra hole |
| 2 | 1960 | Western Open Western Open The Western Open, a professional golf tournament, was first played in 1899. At the time of its 2006 playing, the Western Open was the 3rd oldest active PGA Tour tournament, after the British Open and U.S. Open... |
Art Wall, Jr. Art Wall, Jr. Arthur Jonathan Wall, Jr. was an American golfer.Wall was born in Honesdale, Pennsylvania. He attended Duke University, graduating in 1949 with a business degree.... |
Won with birdie on first extra hole |
Other wins (36)
- 1937 (2) Northwest OpenNorthwest OpenThe Northwest Open is golf tournament played in the Pacific Northwest, open to both amateur and professional golfers. It is organized by the Pacific Northwest section of the PGA of America...
(as an amateur), Alberta Open - 1938 (1) Tacoma Jubilee
- 1939 (1) Alberta Open
- 1940 (1) Canadian PGA ChampionshipCanadian PGA ChampionshipThe PGA Championship of Canada is a golf tournament organized by the PGA of Canada. It was first played in 1912 as the Canadian PGA Championship. It was a Nationwide Tour event from 2001 to 2005. It was also an event on the Canadian Tour. Stan Leonard holds the record with eight victories...
- 1941 (2) Alberta Open, Canadian PGA ChampionshipCanadian PGA ChampionshipThe PGA Championship of Canada is a golf tournament organized by the PGA of Canada. It was first played in 1912 as the Canadian PGA Championship. It was a Nationwide Tour event from 2001 to 2005. It was also an event on the Canadian Tour. Stan Leonard holds the record with eight victories...
- 1942 (1) Alberta Open
- 1943 (1) Alberta Open
- 1947 (2) Alberta Open, British Columbia Open
- 1948 (1) Vancouver City Match Play Championship
- 1949 (3) Alberta Open, British Columbia Open, Vancouver City Match Play Championship
- 1950 (6) Alberta Open, Canadian PGA ChampionshipCanadian PGA ChampionshipThe PGA Championship of Canada is a golf tournament organized by the PGA of Canada. It was first played in 1912 as the Canadian PGA Championship. It was a Nationwide Tour event from 2001 to 2005. It was also an event on the Canadian Tour. Stan Leonard holds the record with eight victories...
, British Columbia Open, Vancouver City Match Play Championship, Saskatchewan OpenSaskatchewan OpenThe Saskatchewan Open, now known as the Dakota Dunes Casino Open, is a golf tournament on the Canadian Tour. From 1919 to 1984, it was played annually except for minor interruptions. The tournament was not played from 1985 to 2007. It was revived in 2008 and changed its name in 2010...
, Western Canada Open - 1951 (1) Canadian PGA ChampionshipCanadian PGA ChampionshipThe PGA Championship of Canada is a golf tournament organized by the PGA of Canada. It was first played in 1912 as the Canadian PGA Championship. It was a Nationwide Tour event from 2001 to 2005. It was also an event on the Canadian Tour. Stan Leonard holds the record with eight victories...
- 1953 (1) Vancouver City Match Play Championship
- 1954 (3) Canadian PGA ChampionshipCanadian PGA ChampionshipThe PGA Championship of Canada is a golf tournament organized by the PGA of Canada. It was first played in 1912 as the Canadian PGA Championship. It was a Nationwide Tour event from 2001 to 2005. It was also an event on the Canadian Tour. Stan Leonard holds the record with eight victories...
, British Columbia Open, Vancouver City Match Play Championship - 1955 (2) Alberta Open, Saskatchewan OpenSaskatchewan OpenThe Saskatchewan Open, now known as the Dakota Dunes Casino Open, is a golf tournament on the Canadian Tour. From 1919 to 1984, it was played annually except for minor interruptions. The tournament was not played from 1985 to 2007. It was revived in 2008 and changed its name in 2010...
- 1957 (1) Canadian PGA ChampionshipCanadian PGA ChampionshipThe PGA Championship of Canada is a golf tournament organized by the PGA of Canada. It was first played in 1912 as the Canadian PGA Championship. It was a Nationwide Tour event from 2001 to 2005. It was also an event on the Canadian Tour. Stan Leonard holds the record with eight victories...
- 1959 (2) Canadian PGA ChampionshipCanadian PGA ChampionshipThe PGA Championship of Canada is a golf tournament organized by the PGA of Canada. It was first played in 1912 as the Canadian PGA Championship. It was a Nationwide Tour event from 2001 to 2005. It was also an event on the Canadian Tour. Stan Leonard holds the record with eight victories...
, Canada Cup (individual event) - 1960 (2) Northwest OpenNorthwest OpenThe Northwest Open is golf tournament played in the Pacific Northwest, open to both amateur and professional golfers. It is organized by the Pacific Northwest section of the PGA of America...
, Canadian Match Play Open - 1961 (2) Canadian PGA ChampionshipCanadian PGA ChampionshipThe PGA Championship of Canada is a golf tournament organized by the PGA of Canada. It was first played in 1912 as the Canadian PGA Championship. It was a Nationwide Tour event from 2001 to 2005. It was also an event on the Canadian Tour. Stan Leonard holds the record with eight victories...
, British Columbia Open
Senior wins (3)
- 1967 Canadian PGA Seniors' Championship
- 1972 Canadian PGA Seniors' Championship
- 1975 Canadian PGA Seniors' Championship