Larry Gilbert


Lawrence Allen Gilbert Sr. was an American professional golfer. He is best known for winning the 1997 Senior Players Championship, one of the major championships on the Senior PGA Tour.

Early life and amateur career

In 1942, Gilbert was born in Fort Knox, Kentucky. He attended Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee and was a distinguished member of the golf team. In 1965, Gilbert led Middle Tennessee State to victory in the 1965 NCAA Division II Men's Golf Championships; Gilbert won the individual medal too.

Professional career

Gilbert spent most of his regular career years as a club pro in Kentucky and Tennessee. He won the PGA Club Professional Championship three times: in 1981, 1982 and 1991. He also won ten Kentucky PGA Championships, three Kentucky Opens, one Tennessee Open, and one Tennessee PGA Championship.
In 1992, he joined the Senior PGA Tour upon turning 50 in 1992.

Personal life

In 1998, Gilbert died in Lexington, Kentucky of lung cancer at the age of 55. He had started smoking cigarettes at an early age, and was often seen smoking a cigar while playing. He won the Senior Players Championship only 192 days before he died.

Awards and honors

Professional wins (21)

Regular career wins (18)

Senior PGA Tour wins (3)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory		Runner-up
1Apr 24, 1994Dallas Reunion Pro-Am−8 1 stroke

U.S. national team appearances