Utah golf legend Billy Casper dies at 83 - Salt Lake Tribune

Proud of his golf legacy, yet always humble and gracious, Casper most recently was honored in Utah in April, when he and Johnny Miller received Lifetime Achievement awards in the Governor's State of Sport Awards program. Health issues prevented him from attending the event, which featured an in-person tribute from Jack Nicklaus. "Billy was just so consistent, played so well all the time week after week," Nicklaus said that night. "I don't think he ever really got the credit he deserved."

Casper ranks seventh in PGA Tour victories and was a five-time winner of the Vardon Trophy for the season's lowest stroke average.

In his prime, Casper was overshadowed by Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player, but he competed favorably against them. His recent autobiography is titled "The Big Three and Me."

In 1966, Casper staged a remarkable rally to win the U.S. Open in San Francisco, although that tournament is remembered more as a case of Palmer fading. Palmer led by seven strokes as they moved to the back nine on Sunday, but Casper caught him and won an 18-hole playoff the following day. Casper also won the 1959 U.S. Open and the 1970 Masters.

Casper's '66 victory was celebrated in 2012 when the U.S. Open returned to The Olympic Club. That summer, he also promoted Utah's first United States Golf Association event, the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship at Soldier Hollow Golf Course in Midway.

In 2013, he was inducted into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame, continuing a late flurry of honors that he appreciated. "If I'd been receiving the recognition at the time I was performing, I would have never accepted it the way I'm accepting it now," Casper said. "Wherever I go in the world, it's just overwhelming."

One of Casper's favorite victories came at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi in 1998, when he teamed with his son, Bobby, to win the inaugural Champions Challenge, hosted by Miller. He also won nine Champions Tour events, including the first senior tournament held in Utah. In claiming the 1982 Shootout at Jeremy Ranch, he shot a final-round 65.

kkragthorpe@sltrib.com

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