Wally Armstrong
Encyclopedia
Walter "Wally" Armstrong, III (born June 19, 1945) is a former American professional golfer
who played on the PGA Tour
during the 1970s and 1980s.
Armstrong was born in New London, Connecticut
. He attended the University of Florida
in Gainesville, Florida
, where he played for coach Buster Bishop
's Florida Gators men's golf team in National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA) competition from 1965 to 1967. Armstrong received All-American honors in 1966. He graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree
in physical education in 1968, and master's degree
in public health in 1969.
Armstrong played on the PGA Tour
from 1974 to 1984. His best finishes were a trio of second places: a tie for second at the 1974 Sahara Invitational
, second at the 1975 Pensacola Open
, and a second-place tie at the 1977 Western Open
. His best finish in a major
was a fifth-place tie at the 1978 Masters Tournament
.
Armstrong also played a few Nike Tour and Senior PGA Tour events in 1995 and 1996.
In his post-playing career, Armstrong is a golf instructor and author.
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...
during the 1970s and 1980s.
Armstrong was born in New London, Connecticut
New London, Connecticut
New London is a seaport city and a port of entry on the northeast coast of the United States.It is located at the mouth of the Thames River in New London County, southeastern Connecticut....
. He attended the University of Florida
University of Florida
The University of Florida is an American public land-grant, sea-grant, and space-grant research university located on a campus in Gainesville, Florida. The university traces its historical origins to 1853, and has operated continuously on its present Gainesville campus since September 1906...
in Gainesville, Florida
Gainesville, Florida
Gainesville is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Alachua County, Florida, United States as well as the principal city of the Gainesville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area . The preliminary 2010 Census population count for Gainesville is 124,354. Gainesville is home to the sixth...
, where he played for coach Buster Bishop
Buster Bishop
Bernays Emery "Buster" Bishop was an American college golf coach. Bishop was best known for leading the Florida Gators men's golf team of the University of Florida to National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I championships in 1968 and 1973.- Early life and education :Bishop was born in...
's Florida Gators men's golf team in National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
(NCAA) competition from 1965 to 1967. Armstrong received All-American honors in 1966. He graduated from the University of Florida with a bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree is usually an academic degree awarded for an undergraduate course or major that generally lasts for three or four years, but can range anywhere from two to six years depending on the region of the world...
in physical education in 1968, and master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in public health in 1969.
Armstrong 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...
from 1974 to 1984. His best finishes were a trio of second places: a tie for second at the 1974 Sahara Invitational
Sahara Invitational
The Sahara Invitational was a PGA Tour event that was played in Las Vegas, Nevada from 1958 to 1976. From 1958 to 1961 it was called the Sahara Pro-Am and was not an official PGA Tour event. It was played at Paradise Valley Country Club from 1970–1972; and at Sahara Nevada Country Club from...
, second at the 1975 Pensacola Open
Pensacola Open
This article is about the former PGA Tour event, for information on the former Nationwide Tour event, see Pensacola Classic.The Pensacola Open was a golf tournament on the PGA Tour...
, and a second-place tie at the 1977 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...
. His best finish in a major
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...
was a fifth-place tie at the 1978 Masters Tournament
1978 Masters Tournament
The 1978 Masters Tournament was a golf tournament held April 6-9 at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. Gary Player overcame a 7-shot deficit going into the final round to win his third Masters and ninth major championship...
.
Armstrong also played a few Nike Tour and Senior PGA Tour events in 1995 and 1996.
In his post-playing career, Armstrong is a golf instructor and author.