Al Balding
Allan George Balding was a Canadian professional golfer, who won four events on the PGA Tour. In 1955, he became the first Canadian to win a PGA Tour event in the United States; Canadians Ken Black, Jules Huot and Pat Fletcher had won PGA Tour events in Canada.
Early life and amateur career
Balding was born in Toronto, Ontario on April 29, 1924. Growing up during the Great Depression, Balding quit school in the 7th grade and began caddying at the nearby Islington golf course, despite not previously golfing before. Balding enlisted in the Canadian Army at 19 during World War II, and saw duty in France and Germany. Balding enlisted thinking that his small stature would land him in the Service Corps, however he was assigned to the 13th Field Battery of the 2nd Artillery division as a driver-mechanic. He was discharged before the end of the war due to a shoulder injury sustained while "fooling around" on a motorcycle. After the war in the late 1940s, Balding worked at a Toronto tire manufacturing company, and later at a golf club in Burlington. He had played golf only occasionally as a youth, but began playing more after the War ended, improving his game rapidly under the instruction of pro Les Franks.Professional career
In 1950, Balding became a professional golfer working as a club professional in Toronto. He won his first minor tournament at the age of 26, the Ontario assistant pro championship.Balding began on the Canadian Professional Golf Tour, winning his first two tournaments in 1952. In 1955, Balding became the first Canadian to win a PGA Tour event in the United States, when he won the Mayfair Open. In 1957, Balding decided to play full time on the U.S. tour, winning three events on the tour and finished 6th on the money list with $28,000, the highest of any Canadian at that point, and would not be eclipsed until Mike Weir finished 6th on the money list in 2003.
Balding would go on to win an impressive number of tournaments in many different venues over a long period of time during his career. He won ten significant events in Canada from 1952 through 1973. He won four tournaments on the PGA Tour, the most of any Canadian to that point. In 1968, in Italy, he won the World Cup team title for Canada, as well as the individual title.
Balding's career was slowed by several health issues, requiring shoulder surgery in 1965, and being diagnosed with blood cancer in the 1970s. Balding was also very critical of the Canadian golf establishment in the 1970s, noting that there were fewer Canadians on the U.S. tour in the 1970s then when he was active in the 1950s and 1960s.
He was one of the 40 original seniors on the U.S. Senior PGA Tour in 1980.
Perhaps the most remarkable win of Balding's career came at the age of 76, when he captured the 2000 Canadian PGA Senior Championship, giving him professional victories in six different decades; this was attained against players as young as age 50.
Personal life
Balding was the uncle of Canadian auto racing driver Kat Teasdale.In 2006, Balding died in Mississauga, Ontario from cancer.
Awards and honors
- In 1955 and 1957, Balding was named Ontario Athlete of the Year.
- In 1968, Balding was elected to Canada's Sports Hall of Fame.
- In 1984, Balding was inducted into the Canadian Golf Hall of Fame.
- In 1997, Balding was inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame.
- Balding Court, a street on the former St. Andrew's Golf Club in Toronto is named in his honour.
Professional wins (19)
PGA Tour wins (1)
PGA Tour playoff record| No. | Year | Tournament | Opponent | Result |
| 1 | 1959 | Memphis Open |  |1928Canadian wins (11)
CUT = missed the half-way cut "T" indicates a tie for a place Summary |