Billy Casper
This professional golfer was one of the most prolific winners in history, having won 51 tournaments by the time he retired. In Ryder Cup competition to date, he is the all-time leader in points won with 23 ½ and he is tied for second for having won the most Ryder Cup matches in history. The eight times that Casper participated in the Ryder Cup, the United States won seven and tied the eighth. Since his retirement, Casper has designed golf courses from coast-to-coast including all three at Sun City Summerlin outside of Las Vegas, Nevada.
Raymond Floyd
A Southern boy, Ray Floyd was born in Fort Bragg, attended the University of North Carolina and won 22 times on the PGA tour, including four major championships. Floyd was captain of the American team in 1989. As of the 2008 competition, he was the only player chosen to play on the Ryder Cup after having been its captain. He played for the eighth time in 1993, won three points and was the oldest Ryder Cup player in history at age 51.
Lanny Wadkins
Another Southern boy, Wadkins was born in Virginia, attended Wake Forest and won 21 events in the PGA Tour including one major tournament, the 1977 PGA Championship. Wadkins played in the Ryder Cup eight straight times between 1977 and 1993, and was the captain of the losing American team in 1995. His record overall, winning 20 matches and 21 ½ points, is among the highest of all Americans to date. In the 1983 Ryder Cup, he hit his wedge shot to within a foot on the final hole to give the Americans an outright victory.
About The Author
Bill Herrfeldt specializes in finance, sports and the needs of retiring people, and has been published in the national edition of "Erickson Tribune," the "Washington Post" and the "Arizona Republic." He graduated from the University of Louisville.
