Abelard George "Abe" Espinsosa (February 9, 1889 – February 13, 1980) was an American professional golfer who is best known as the first Hispanic-American to win a significant professional championship.[1]
| Abe Espinosa | |
|---|---|
| Personal information | |
| Full name | Abelard George Espinosa |
| Born | February 9, 1889 Monterey, California |
| Died | February 13, 1980 (aged 91) San Luis Obispo County, California |
| Sporting nationality |  United States |
| Career | |
| Status | Professional |
| Former tour(s) | PGA Tour |
| Professional wins | 4 |
| Number of wins by tour | |
| PGA Tour | 3 |
| Other | 1 |
| Best results in major championships | |
| Masters Tournament | T38: 1934 |
| PGA Championship | T5: 1926, 1931 |
| U.S. Open | T7: 1924 |
| The Open Championship | DNP |
Born in Monterey, California, Espinosa was of Mexican-American descent, a club professional in Oakland, Chicago (Columbian Golf Club and Medinah Country Club), and at Shreveport Country Club in Louisiana, where one of his caddies was future U.S. Open Champion Tommy Bolt. Espinosa's younger brother Al (1891–1957) was also a professional golfer; both were known for their dashing, stylish attire on the links.[2]
Espinosa's first PGA Tour win came at the Western Open in 1928.[3] His best finish in a major was a tie for seventh at the U.S. Open in 1924.[4] After his playing days were over, he became involved in golf course architecture and design; his works include Heart River Municipal Golf Course in Dickinson, North Dakota.
Professional wins (4)
editPGA Tour wins (3)
edit- 1928 Western Open, Chicago Open Championship
- 1931 Texas Open
Other wins (1)
editReferences
edit- ^ "Today in Golf History: July 28". Archived from the original on October 11, 2007. Retrieved December 21, 2007.
- ^ Smits, Garry (March 14, 1999). "'Terrible Tommy' put fling behind him". Jacksonville Times-Union. Retrieved December 21, 2007.
- ^ Rohm, Harland (July 29, 1928). "Abe Espinosa wins Western Open with 291". Chicago Sunday Tribune. p. 1, sec. 2.
- ^ Davis, Joe (June 7, 1924). "Walker wins National Open, Jones second". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. 13.