HOUSTON – Jack Burke, Jr., golf’s oldest living Masters winner and PGA Championship champion, will host his 100 th birthday celebration Sunday. It will be fitting of his legendary status among some of the great golfers with a personal connection with Burke at Champions Golf Club.
Son Mike Burke took over the club two years ago from his father. He also organized a party that will feature Ben Crenshaw (two-time Masters Champion), Steve Elkington (PGA Championship winner), and Butch Harmon who was taught the game by Burke and Jim McLean.
Jim Crain, a longtime friend and Houston Astros owner, will be present with the Astros World Series trophy. Burke will light 100 candles in front family members and friends.
Even though many of today’s golfers never saw him play, tributes will flow from around the world.
Officials at Augusta National Golf Club said that they will recognize Burke’s 100th Birthday and 1956 Masters win with their Masters Journal program in spring and 2023 Tournament. Burke is unable to attend Augusta’s Tuesday champions dinner, but he still has a locker with Tiger Woods, the five-time winner of the Tour Championship at Champions.
We salute the Fort Worth native, Texas golfer who has made a significant impact on the game at all levels: player, teacher, mentor, Ryder Cup captain, assistant, elite club founder, and Ryder Cup captain.
Jack Burke Jr. hit from the second tee during round three of the 1952 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia. (Photo by Associated Press
“Always keep in mind that golf pro is shorthand for promoter. You always have to promote it,” Burke stated.
Maybe no one has done more for golf than Burke. He still visits his Houston club regularly to talk to members and guests, and, if he’s feeling up, he takes his cane out to the driving range and putting green.
Don’t ask him to give you a secret code to improve your game.
He said, “I don’t give tips, son. Tips are for horse races.”
Burke is well-known for his direct shooting style. He has been telling the truth for almost 100 years.
His tough love style made him a favorite of an old-school crowd who make the trek to Houston to learn from his wisdom and stories. Phil Mickelson once visited Burke and he taught him the drill that he still uses. He can make 100 straight putts starting at four feet, and you can start over if you miss.
Hal Sutton was looking for help in his game and mentorship. He was so impressed by Burke’s style, he made him a Ryder Cup assistant at the age of 81 for his captaincy at Oakland Hills Country Club.
The U.S. lost at home by a huge margin with Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods paired together. Burke made a classic line.
“I told Hal to not pair Tiger and Phil together. But talking to Hal was like talking with General Patton. He won’t listen.”
Sutton remains one of his closest friends. Elkington, who founded the Secret Golf video teaching company, was named after Burke’s teaching motto, the “secret is in the dirt”. He has been replaying classic videos with Burke this week, teaching timeless golf lessons to honour his friend.
Although his playing career was short, Burke said that his most lasting contribution to golf was the founding of Champions Golf Club with Jimmy Demaret, a fellow Masters Champion.
Former White House aide Jack Valenti named Champions in honor of its founders. Pinehurst is the only club to have hosted a Ryder Cup. This is a men’s U.S. Open for women. Amateur, Tour Championship and a PGA Tour Event.
While Pinehurst was overseen by a number of corporate owners, Burke was at Champions for every moment it’s historic life.
Burke’s father Jack Burke, Sr. was one of the first Texas golf pros. He worked at Houston’s River Oaks Country Club, after moving from Philadelphia. The younger Burke grew-up and played with a number of Texas golf legends, including Babe Didrikson, Demaret, Byron Nelson, and Ben Hogan.
Burke was a Marine for a short time before he switched to golf full-time.
“I don’t know anything except golf.” Burke stated that this is what he has done all his life.
When asked how he wanted to be remembered, Burke simply said
On Sunday, his friends, fellow golf legends, Robin, his wife and their families will celebrate the man who meant so much to American golf and Old Tom Morris to the Scots.
