Don Massengale Explained

Don Massengale
Fullname:Donald Ray Massengale Sr.
Nickname:Bugs Bunny[1]
Birth Date:23 April 1937
Birth Place:Jacksboro, Texas, U.S.
Death Place:Conroe, Texas, U.S.
Weight:195lb
College:Texas Christian University
Yearpro:1960
Extour:PGA Tour
Champions Tour
Prowins:8
Pgawins:2
Champwins:2
Otherwins:4
Masters:T45: 1968
Usopen:T15: 1972
Open:DNP
Pga:2nd: 1967

Donald Ray Massengale Sr. (April 23, 1937  - January 2, 2007) was an American professional golfer who won tournaments on both the PGA Tour and the Senior PGA Tour.

Career

Massengale was born in Jacksboro, Texas. He won the 1958 Texas Amateur Championship. He played collegiately at Texas Christian University and turned pro in 1960.

Massengale's two wins on the PGA Tour came in 1966 and he finished that year 26th on the money list. He finished among the top-60 money winners on the PGA Tour in 1962, 1966 and 1967. His best finish in a major was a 2nd at the 1967 PGA Championship where he lost to Don January in an 18-hole playoff (69-71).[2]

Massengale worked as a club pro in the Houston area in his 40s  - between his PGA Tour and Senior PGA Tour careers. He won twice on the Senior PGA Tour (now Champions Tour), the 1990 Greater Grand Rapids Open and the 1992 Royal Caribbean Classic.

Massengale and wife Judy had two sons, Donnie and Mark, both of whom are golf teaching professionals. He also had a younger brother, Rik, who played 13 years on the PGA Tour.

Massengale died of a heart attack in Conroe, Texas.[3]

Amateur wins

Professional wins (8)

PGA Tour wins (2)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner-up
1Jan 23, 1966Bing Crosby National Pro-Am−5 (70-67-76-70=283)1 stroke Arnold Palmer
2Oct 2, 1966Canadian Open−4 (70-70-70-70=280)3 strokes

PGA Tour playoff record (0–1)

Other wins (4)

Senior PGA Tour wins (2)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runner(s)-up
1Greater Grand Rapids Open−8 (69-65=134)*1 stroke Terry Dill, Dave Hill,
Larry Laoretti
2−8 (70-70-65=205)1 stroke Gary Player
*Note: The 1990 Greater Grand Rapids Open was shortened to 36 holes due to rain.

Senior PGA Tour playoff record (0–1)

Results in major championships

Tournament19651966196719681969
Masters TournamentT49T45
U.S. OpenCUTT36CUT
PGA ChampionshipT282CUT
Tournament1970197119721973197419751976197719781979
Masters Tournament55
U.S. OpenT15CUT
PGA ChampionshipCUTT24CUTT22
Tournament198019811982
Masters Tournament
U.S. Open
PGA ChampionshipCUT
Note: Massengale never played in The Open Championship.
CUT = missed the half-way cut
"T" indicates a tie for a place

U.S. national team appearances

External links

Notes and References

  1. Golf's Animal Kingdom of Player Nicknames . David . Desmith . Links Magazine . 2020-11-17 . subscription.
  2. Web site: Don Massengale . Golf Major Championships .
  3. Web site: Don Massengale, 69, Professional Golfer, Is Dead . The New York Times . January 11, 2007 . Associated Press.