Born on a military base in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Ray Floyd stuck to his working class roots as he rose to become a professional golfer at the young age of 19.
Floyd earned a reputation in North Carolina for his raw talent, hard work and competitive nature, playing briefly at the University of North Carolina before becoming a full time PGA pro in 1961.
While Floyd entered the game at a young age, he continued to compete at the highest level for decades, winning the 1986 United States Open at the age of 44 and finishing second in the 1990 Masters.
In an era where upstart golfers often rise and fall quickly, the patience and discipline underlying Floyd's game helped him to remain at the top of his game well past the traditional prime for professional golfers.
Today, Floyd is actively competing in the Champions Tour and continues to draw card entries into major PGA events, where his legendary status has earned him respect of players across generations.
Youthful Ambition with a Patient Swing Born during the heart of the Second World War, Floyd showed a fighting spirit that helped propel him to the top of the game.
Since North Carolina athletes tend to focus on basketball, Floyd focused on a variety of team sports, including hoops, baseball and football before focusing in on golf.
A great athlete who served in the Army and earned a reputation as a strong competitor in North Carolina, he won his first PGA event at only 20 years old.
His discipline in the game was related to his personal life - an important lesson for modern players to learn today.
Floyd enjoyed his night life and only really gained consistency on the course when he started a family in the 1970s.
Many younger golfers today try to balance early success with fame, a difficult balancing act given the rigors and challenges of international travel.
After settling down, Floyd went on to win the 1976 Masters, the 1982 PGA Championship and the 1986 U.
S.
Open.
Never one to shy away from competition, he continued to compete in PGA events into his 50s, playing on a total of eight Ryder cup teams and continuing to serve as a leading mentor and instructor to a new generation of American golfers.
While his records are clearly evident in the record book, his larger legacy remains in the development of American national golf and the modernization of course design.
Today, Floyd plays actively on the Champions (Senior) Tour and works as a leading designer in his own golf architecture company.
The development of modern American golf course design is a testament to his commitment to the game from beginning to end.
An advocate for the sport, Floyd commonly speaks, writes and teaches the sport to a variety of audiences, earning him a reputation as a thoroughly modern golfer.
Take one glance at his resume and you'll see the impressive marks he's left in nearly every corner of the game.
Floyd earned a reputation in North Carolina for his raw talent, hard work and competitive nature, playing briefly at the University of North Carolina before becoming a full time PGA pro in 1961.
While Floyd entered the game at a young age, he continued to compete at the highest level for decades, winning the 1986 United States Open at the age of 44 and finishing second in the 1990 Masters.
In an era where upstart golfers often rise and fall quickly, the patience and discipline underlying Floyd's game helped him to remain at the top of his game well past the traditional prime for professional golfers.
Today, Floyd is actively competing in the Champions Tour and continues to draw card entries into major PGA events, where his legendary status has earned him respect of players across generations.
Youthful Ambition with a Patient Swing Born during the heart of the Second World War, Floyd showed a fighting spirit that helped propel him to the top of the game.
Since North Carolina athletes tend to focus on basketball, Floyd focused on a variety of team sports, including hoops, baseball and football before focusing in on golf.
A great athlete who served in the Army and earned a reputation as a strong competitor in North Carolina, he won his first PGA event at only 20 years old.
His discipline in the game was related to his personal life - an important lesson for modern players to learn today.
Floyd enjoyed his night life and only really gained consistency on the course when he started a family in the 1970s.
Many younger golfers today try to balance early success with fame, a difficult balancing act given the rigors and challenges of international travel.
After settling down, Floyd went on to win the 1976 Masters, the 1982 PGA Championship and the 1986 U.
S.
Open.
Never one to shy away from competition, he continued to compete in PGA events into his 50s, playing on a total of eight Ryder cup teams and continuing to serve as a leading mentor and instructor to a new generation of American golfers.
While his records are clearly evident in the record book, his larger legacy remains in the development of American national golf and the modernization of course design.
Today, Floyd plays actively on the Champions (Senior) Tour and works as a leading designer in his own golf architecture company.
The development of modern American golf course design is a testament to his commitment to the game from beginning to end.
An advocate for the sport, Floyd commonly speaks, writes and teaches the sport to a variety of audiences, earning him a reputation as a thoroughly modern golfer.
Take one glance at his resume and you'll see the impressive marks he's left in nearly every corner of the game.
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