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Doug Ford was a professional golfer and two-time major golf champion. Born in 1922, Ford turned professional in 1949 and went on to win the 1955 PGA Championship, the 1957 Masters Tournament, and 17 other Tour events. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011 and remained an avid golfer until his death in 2018 at the age of 95. Ford's golfing career is a testament to his dedication and talent, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of golf.
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What You'll Learn
Doug Ford's golfing career
Doug Ford was an American professional golfer and two-time major golf champion. Born in West Haven, Connecticut, in 1922, Ford's golfing career was pre-ordained. His father, also a golf pro, changed the family name from Fortunato to Ford to help him find some indoor golf work. Three of Ford's uncles were also golf professionals.
Ford turned professional in 1949, winning for the first time in 1952. His first major was the 1955 PGA Championship, and that victory helped him become that season's PGA Player of the Year. In 1957, he won the Masters Tournament, holing out from a buried lie in a bunker on the final hole to beat Sam Snead by three strokes. Ford had 19 PGA Tour wins and played on four Ryder Cup teams: 1955, 1957, 1959, and 1961. He also won four Met PGA Championships, two Westchester Opens, and a Met Open.
Ford was inducted into the Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame in 1972 and the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in 1992. He was also elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011. Ford served in the Coast Guard Air Division during World War II and later recalled that he had shown enough promise as a baseball player to receive a contract offer from the New York Yankees. However, he chose golf, following in his father's footsteps. Ford's legendary quick pace on the golf course, driving accuracy, and lightning speed on the greens led him to rack up 23 tour victories in his PGA Tour career.
Ford surpassed all other records by making 45 appearances in the Masters. He joined the Senior PGA Tour in 1972, winning the 1981 Commemorative Pro-Am and Doug Sanders Energy Classic. Ford's long career earned him more than a third of a million dollars, and he was never out of the top twenty on the money list during his first 12 years on tour. Even at 88, Ford still regularly played casual golf before passing away in 2018 at the age of 95.
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Doug Ford's golfing accolades
Doug Ford, born Douglas Michael Fortunato on August 6, 1922, in West Haven, Connecticut, was an American professional golfer and two-time major golf champion. He was the son of a golf pro and had three uncles who were also golf professionals.
Ford turned professional in 1949, and his first major win was the 1955 PGA Championship. This victory helped him become the PGA Player of the Year for that season. He went on to win the 1957 Masters Tournament, beating his opponents by three shots. In addition to these two major victories, Ford has won 17 other Tour events, including some of the most important events on the schedule. He was also a member of four Ryder Cup teams (1955, 1957, 1959, and 1961).
Ford's legendary quick pace on the golf course, driving accuracy, and lightning speed on the greens led him to rack up 23 tour victories in his PGA Tour career. He has made 45 appearances in the Masters, surpassing all other records for playing the grueling 72 holes in Augusta, Georgia.
Doug Ford was inducted into the Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame in 1972, the PGA Hall of Fame in 1978, the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in 1992, and the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011. He was also PGA of America Player of the Year in 1955.
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Doug Ford's golfing technique
Doug Ford, the American professional golfer, had a distinct golfing technique that contributed to his success in the sport. Known for his quick pace on the golf course, Ford attributed his success to his driving accuracy and lightning speed on the greens. This combination of skills propelled him to the top of the golf world in the 1950s.
Ford's golfing technique was characterised by his ability to make powerful and precise drives. His driving accuracy allowed him to consistently find the fairway, setting him up for successful approaches into the greens. Ford's technique was honed through years of practice and a deep understanding of the game. He had a natural talent for golf that was recognised early on, and he chose to pursue a career in golf over baseball, which he also excelled at.
Ford's quick pace on the course was a notable aspect of his technique. He took giant steps between shots, covering the course at a rapid pace. This pace gave him a competitive advantage and became one of his defining characteristics as a golfer. Ford's speed did not compromise accuracy, as he was able to maintain a fine balance between speed and precision.
In addition to his driving accuracy and quick pace, Ford's short game was also a key component of his golfing technique. He had a soft touch around the greens, demonstrating a delicate feel for chips and putts. This aspect of his game was enhanced by his experience in billiards, which taught him about angles and refined his touch. Ford's short game prowess contributed significantly to his scoring ability and overall success on the course.
Ford's golfing technique also included a strong mental aspect. He was known for his focus on finances while playing. Additionally, Ford kept a close eye on his finances, recognising the financial opportunities that came with success in professional golf. This mindset contributed to his longevity in the sport and his accumulation of earnings over his career.
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Doug Ford's golfing legacy
Doug Ford, born Douglas Michael Fortunato on August 6, 1922, in West Haven, Connecticut, was an American professional golfer and two-time major golf champion. He was the son of a golf pro, and three of his uncles were also golf professionals. Ford's father changed the family name from Fortunato to Ford to help him find indoor golf work.
Ford turned professional in 1949, and his first major win was the 1955 PGA Championship. He went on to win the 1957 Masters Tournament, becoming PGA Player of the Year that season. In addition to these two major victories, Ford won 17 other Tour events, including some of the most important events on the schedule. He was also a member of four Ryder Cup teams (1955, 1957, 1959, and 1961).
Ford's legendary quick pace on the golf course, driving accuracy, and lightning speed on the greens led him to rack up 23 tour victories in his PGA Tour career. He made 45 appearances in the Masters, surpassing all other records for playing the grueling 72 holes in Augusta, Georgia. He was inducted into the PGA Hall of Fame in 1978 and the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011.
Ford passed away in 2018 at the age of 95, survived by his two sons, both PGA Professionals, a daughter, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. He was a golfing legend, with a long list of accomplishments and a remarkable career that spanned over six decades.
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Doug Ford's golfing family
Doug Ford Sr., born Douglas Michael Fortunato on August 6, 1922, in West Haven, Connecticut, was an American professional golfer and two-time major golf champion. He was the son of a golf pro, Mike Ford, who owned an indoor driving range in Manhattan. Doug Ford's family name was changed from Fortunato to Ford by his father to help him find some indoor golf work.
Ford's golfing talent appears to have been inherited from his father, who was a club professional at Putnam Country Club in Yonkers, and passed down to his sons, Doug Jr. and Mike, who are also PGA professionals. Doug Jr. described his father as "a great player [and] a great man."
Ford himself was a golf prodigy, turning professional in 1949 and winning his first major, the 1955 PGA Championship, in his first attempt. He went on to win the 1957 Masters Tournament, becoming PGA Player of the Year that season. In addition to his two major victories, Ford had 17 other Tour wins, including some of the most important events on the schedule. He was inducted into the PGA Hall of Fame in 1978 and the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011.
Ford was known for his quick pace on the golf course, with his driving accuracy and lightning speed on the greens. He made 45 appearances in the Masters, surpassing all other records for playing the grueling 72 holes in Augusta, Georgia. He also played on four Ryder Cup teams in 1955, 1957, 1959, and 1961.
Ford passed away on May 14, 2018, at the age of 95, leaving behind a legacy as one of golf's most durable competitors and a golfing family that continues his legacy.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Doug Ford was a professional golfer.
Yes, Doug Ford was a two-time major golf champion. He won the 1955 PGA Championship and the 1957 Masters Tournament.
Ford was known for his quick pace, driving accuracy, and lightning speed on the greens.
