George Fazio


George Fazio was an American professional golfer and a golf course architect.

Career

Fazio was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was a respected player in the mid-twentieth century and competed in seven Masters Tournaments from 1947 to 1954. His best finish was 14th in 1952.
Fazio won one PGA Tour event, the 1946 Canadian Open. He also won the 1947 Bing Crosby Pro-Am. He had career earnings of more than $50,000. He nearly won the 1950 U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club outside Philadelphia, finishing third to Ben Hogan and Lloyd Mangrum in an 18-hole playoff. This event was recently memorialized as one of the 15 most memorable Philadelphia sports moments. Like most golfers of his generation, Fazio earned his living primarily as a club pro during his regular career years. During the 1940s, he was head pro at Hillcrest Country Club in Los Angeles, where many of Hollywood's celebrities played.
After his playing days were over, Fazio went on to become a well-known golf course architect along with his nephews Tom Fazio, Jim Fazio, and course designer Lou Cappelli. The foursome built many notable courses, and they are particularly noted for the shapes built into their traps - such as clover-leaves and butterflies.

Personal life

Fazio died in Jupiter, Florida at the age of 73.

Professional wins (10)

PGA Tour wins (1)

  • 1946 Canadian Open
Source:

Other wins (9)

this list may be incomplete
Tournament19501951195219531954195519561957195819591960
Masters TournamentT21T18T14T51T33
U.S. Open3CUT5T4T27CUTWD
PGA ChampionshipR32R64R64R64R64T25T56CUT

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

Summary

  • Most consecutive cuts made – 14
  • Longest streak of top-10s – 1

    Notable golf course designs

The following is a partial list of courses designed by Fazio:
  • OD denotes courses for which Fazio is the original designer
  • R denotes courses reconstructed by Fazio
  • A denotes courses for which Fazio made substantial additions
  • E denotes courses that Fazio examined and on the construction of which he consulted