Chandler Harper


John Chandler Harper was an American professional golfer, best known for winning the PGA Championship in 1950. He won seven times on the PGA Tour and played in the Ryder Cup in 1955.

Career

Harper was born, raised, and lived his entire life in Portsmouth, Virginia. He was prominent in Virginia golf, winning the Virginia Amateur three times and the Virginia Open a record nine times: in 1932, 1938, 1940, 1941, 1952, 1960, 1967, 1968, and 1970. His golfing career was interrupted by service in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
Harper's competitive career lasted from 1938 to 1955; and like most professional golfers of his generation, he spent most of his time as a club professional. Harper compensated for his lack of driving distance with a strong short game; Ben Hogan said that Harper was the best putter on tour.
After Curtis Strange's father died when he was 14, Harper became Strange's mentor. He was also a long-time friend of Bobby Jones.
In 1956, Harper founded Bide-A-Wee Golf Course in his hometown of Portsmouth, Virginia and managed the course until he retired in 1992.

Personal life

In 2004, Harper died at the age of 90 of complications from pneumonia.

Awards and honors

PGA Tour wins (7)

Major championship is shown in bold.
Source:

Other wins (12)

Wins (1)

''Note: The PGA Championship was match play until 1958''

Results timeline

Tournament1940194119421943194419451946194719481949
Masters Tournament13NTNTNT19T8T40
U.S. OpenNTNTNTNTT15WDWDCUT
PGA ChampionshipNTR32R32R32R16

Tournament1950195119521953195419551956195719581959
Masters TournamentWDT38T10WDWDCUTCUTT14
U.S. OpenT41WDCUTWD
PGA Championship1R64R32R64R16R128CUTWD

Tournament1960196119621963196419651966196719681969
Masters TournamentCUTWDT48
U.S. Open
PGA ChampionshipCUTDQ

Tournament19701971
Masters Tournament
U.S. Open
PGA ChampionshipWD

Note: Harper never played in The Open Championship.
NT = no tournament
WD = withdrew
DQ = disqualified
CUT = missed the half-way cut
R128, R64, R32, R16, QF, SF = round in which player lost in PGA Championship match play
"T" indicates a tie for a place

Summary