William L. Klein (1901 – January 3, 1957) was an American professional golfer. He won nine PGA Tour events during his career. He played in the 1923 PGA Championship, winning a first round match, and also played in the 1935 Masters Tournament.
In 2007, Klein was inducted into the Metropolitan PGA Section Hall of Fame.
Early life
Klein was born in 1901 on Long Island, New York.[2]
Golf career
Klein worked as the head pro at Wheatley Hills Golf Club[3] in East Williston, New York, from 1926 to 1957.[4] He also worked in the winter months at the La Gorce Country Club in Miami Beach, Florida, from 1927 to 1956.[5][2] Klein also played on what later became the PGA Tour, winning nine events.[6]
1923 PGA Championship
The 1923 PGA Championship was held September 24–29 at the Pelham Country Club in Pelham Manor, New York. Klein was in the starting field and opened up affairs in a first round match against Charles Rowe which he won by the score of 4 and 3. He lost his second round match to Alec Campbell by the identical score.[7]
Death and legacy
Klein died in Mineola, New York.[3] In 2007, Klein was inducted into the Metropolitan PGA Section Hall of Fame.[1]
Professional wins
PGA Tour wins (9)
- 1924 (1) one win
- 1925 (1) Miami Open
- 1926 (1) one win
- 1928 (1) New York State Open[8]
- 1929 (1) Mid-South Open
- 1932 (1) Metropolitan PGA Championship
- 1936 (1) Miami Open
- missing two other wins, one 1916-29, one 1930-45[6]
Other wins
- 1922 Long Island Open
- 1923 Long Island Open
- 1933 Long Island Open
References
- ^ a b "Hall of Fame: Willie Klein". met.pga.com.
- ^ a b "Lloyd Watkins Named Professional at LaGorce". Miami Daily News. Miami, Florida. September 11, 1956. p. 12A. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
- ^ a b "Golf Pro Passes". The Post-Register. Idaho Falls, Idaho. AP. January 4, 1957. p. 7.
- ^ "Wheatley Hills Golf Club - History". Retrieved January 26, 2012.
- ^ "Get Rep, Then Settle Down, Advice to Young Golf Pros". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. AP. January 6, 1941. p. 13. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
- ^ a b Barkow, Al (November 1989). The History of the PGA TOUR. Copyright PGA Tour. Doubleday. pp. 236–38, 249–50, 253. ISBN 0-385-26145-4.
- ^ Brenner, Morgan G. (2009). The Majors of Golf: Complete Results of the Open, the U.S. Open, the PGA Championship and the Masters, 1860-2008. Vol. 1. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-3360-5.
- ^ "Klein hits 303 to lead field in state open". The Buffalo Times. July 8, 1928. p. 57 – via Newspapers.com.
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