Chandler Harper
FullnameJohn Chandler Harper
Birth dateMarch 10, 1914
Birth placePortsmouth, Virginia, U.S.
Death dateNovember 8, 2004 (aged 90)
Death placePortsmouth, Virginia, U.S.
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight175 lb (79 kg; 12.5 st)
Yearpro1934
ExtourPGA Tour
Prowins21
Pgawins7
Otherwins14
Majorwins1
MastersT8: 1947
UsopenT15: 1946
OpenDNP
PgaWon: 1950

John Chandler Harper (March 10, 1914 – November 8, 2004) was an American professional golfer, best known for winning the PGA Championship in 1950. He won seven times on the PGA Tour and played in the Ryder Cup in 1955.[1]

Career

Harper was born, raised, and lived his entire life in Portsmouth, Virginia. He was prominent in Virginia golf, winning the Virginia Amateur three times (1930, 1932, 1934) and the Virginia Open a record nine times: in 1932, 1938, 1940, 1941, 1952, 1960, 1967, 1968, and 1970. His golfing career was interrupted by service in the U.S. Navy during World War II.[2][1]

Harper's competitive career lasted from 1938 to 1955; and like most professional golfers of his generation, he spent most of his time as a club professional. Harper compensated for his lack of driving distance with a strong short game; Ben Hogan said that Harper was the best putter on tour.[2][1]

After Curtis Strange's father died when he was 14, Harper became Strange's mentor. He was also a long-time friend of Bobby Jones.

In 1956, Harper founded Bide-A-Wee Golf Course in his hometown of Portsmouth, Virginia and managed the course until he retired in 1992.[2]

Personal life

In 2004, Harper died at the age of 90 of complications from pneumonia.[1]

Awards and honors

Professional wins (21)

PGA Tour wins (7)

Major championship is shown in bold.

Source:[3]

Other wins (12)

Senior wins (2)

Major championships

Wins (1)

YearChampionshipWinning scoreRunner-up
1950PGA Championship4 & 3Henry Williams, Jr.

Note: The PGA Championship was match play until 1958

Results timeline

Tournament19351936193719381939
Masters Tournament
U.S. OpenCUTCUTCUT
PGA Championship
Tournament1940194119421943194419451946194719481949
Masters Tournament13NTNTNT19T8T40
U.S. OpenNTNTNTNTT15WDWDCUT
PGA ChampionshipNTR32R32R32R16
Tournament1950195119521953195419551956195719581959
Masters TournamentWDT38T10WDWDCUTCUTT14
U.S. OpenT41WDCUTWD
PGA Championship1R64R32R64R16R128CUTWD
Tournament1960196119621963196419651966196719681969
Masters TournamentCUTWDT48
U.S. Open
PGA ChampionshipCUTDQ
Tournament19701971
Masters Tournament
U.S. Open
PGA ChampionshipWD

Note: Harper never played in The Open Championship.

NT = no tournament
WD = withdrew
DQ = disqualified
CUT = missed the half-way cut
R128, R64, R32, R16, QF, SF = round in which player lost in PGA Championship match play
"T" indicates a tie for a place

Summary

TournamentWins2nd3rdTop-5Top-10Top-25EventsCuts made
Masters Tournament000025157
U.S. Open000001112
The Open Championship00000000
PGA Championship1001371410
Totals10015134019
  • Most consecutive cuts made – 5 (twice)
  • Longest streak of top-10s – 1 (five times)

U.S. national team appearances

See also

References

  1. ^ Litsky, Frank (November 12, 2004). "Chandler Harper, Winner of 7 Professional Golf Tournaments, Dies at 90". The New York Times. Retrieved April 25, 2008.
  2. ^ Ducibella, Jim (November 9, 2004). "Local golf legend, mentor and Hall of Famer, dies". The Virginian-Pilot. Archived from the original on 2011-11-21. Retrieved October 28, 2011.
  3. ^ "Chandler Harper". PGA Tour. Retrieved 2025-09-20.