George Fazio
Birth dateNovember 12, 1912
Birth placePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Death dateJune 6, 1986 (aged 73)
Death placeJupiter, Florida, U.S.
StatusProfessional
ExtourPGA Tour
Prowins10
Pgawins2
Otherwins8
MastersT14: 1952
Usopen3rd: 1950
OpenDNP
PgaT5: 1948

George Fazio (November 12, 1912 – June 6, 1986) was an American professional golfer and a golf course architect.

Career

Fazio was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was a respected player in the mid-twentieth century and competed in seven Masters Tournaments from 1947 to 1954. His best finish was 14th in 1952.

Fazio won one PGA Tour event, the 1946 Canadian Open. He also won the 1947 Bing Crosby Pro-Am (in a tie with Ed Furgol). He had career earnings of more than $50,000. He nearly won the 1950 U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club outside Philadelphia, finishing third to Ben Hogan and Lloyd Mangrum in an 18-hole playoff. This event was recently memorialized as one of the 15 most memorable Philadelphia sports moments.[1] Like most golfers of his generation, Fazio earned his living primarily as a club pro during his regular career years. During the 1940s, he was head pro at Hillcrest Country Club in Los Angeles, where many of Hollywood's celebrities played.[2]

After his playing days were over, Fazio went on to become a well-known golf course architect along with his nephews Tom Fazio, Jim Fazio, and course designer Lou Cappelli. The foursome built many notable courses, and they are particularly noted for the shapes built into their traps - such as clover-leaves and butterflies.

Personal life

Fazio died in Jupiter, Florida at the age of 73.[3]

Professional wins (10)

PGA Tour wins (1)

Source:[4]

Other wins (9)

this list may be incomplete

Results in major championships

Tournament193819391940194119421943194419451946194719481949
Masters TournamentNTNTNTT39T30
U.S. OpenWDCUTWDNTNTNTNTT38T59T25T35
PGA ChampionshipR64R32NTR32QFR32
Tournament19501951195219531954195519561957195819591960
Masters TournamentT21T18T14T51T33
U.S. Open3CUT5T4T27CUTWD
PGA ChampionshipR32R64R64R64R64T25T56CUT

Note: Fazio never played in The Open Championship.

NT = no tournament
WD = withdrew
CUT = missed the half-way cut
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 Tournament00000377
U.S. Open001334148
The Open Championship00000000
PGA Championship0001161312
Totals00144133427
  • Most consecutive cuts made – 14 (1941 PGA – 1951 Masters)
  • Longest streak of top-10s – 1 (four times)

Notable golf course designs

The following is a partial list of courses designed by Fazio:

  • OD denotes courses for which Fazio is the original designer
  • R denotes courses reconstructed by Fazio
  • A denotes courses for which Fazio made substantial additions
  • E denotes courses that Fazio examined and on the construction of which he consulted
NameContributionYear builtCity / TownState / ProvinceCountryComments
Ridgefield GCODRidgefieldConnecticutUnited States
Jupiter Hills (Hills Course, Village Course)ODTequestaFloridaUnited States
PGA National GC (The Haig, The Squires)ODPalm Beach GardensFloridaUnited States
Turtle Bay ResortODKahuku (Oahu)HawaiiUnited States
Butler National GCODOak BrookIllinoisUnited States
Wollaston GCODMiltonMassachusettsUnited States
Edgewood Tahoe ResortODZephyr CoveNevadaUnited States
Atlantis GCODLittle Egg Harbor TownshipNew JerseyUnited States
Pinehurst Resort No. 6ODPinehurstNorth CarolinaUnited States
Chester Valley GCODMalvernPennsylvaniaUnited States
Downingtown CCODDowningtownPennsylvaniaUnited States
Hershey CCODHersheyPennsylvaniaUnited States
Moselem Springs GCODFleetwoodPennsylvaniaUnited States
Squires GCODAmblerPennsylvaniaUnited States
Waynesborough CCODPaoliPennsylvaniaUnited States
George Fazio GCODHilton Head IslandSouth CarolinaUnited States
Moss Creek GC (Devil's Elbow South Course)ODHilton Head IslandSouth CarolinaUnited States
Champions GC (Jackrabbit Course)ODHoustonTexasUnited States
The National Golf Club of CanadaODWoodbridgeOntarioCanada
Cariari CCODSan JoséHerediaCosta Rica
Coronado GCODNueva GorgonaPanamá OestePanama
Great Gorge Golf Club (Lake, Quarry & Rail)OD1970Vernon TownshipNew JerseyUnited StatesDesigned for Hugh Hefner for the original Great Gorge Playboy Club

References

  1. ^ Fitzpatrick, Frank (2009). "15 Most memorable Phila. sports moments". Philly Online. Archived from the original on September 5, 2009. Retrieved June 1, 2009.
  2. ^ Thurber, Jon (February 12, 2009). "Eric Monti dies at 91; former golf pro at Hillcrest Country Club in L.A.". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 8, 2009.
  3. ^ "George Fazio, Ex-Pro Golfer And a Designer of Courses". The New York Times. June 8, 1986. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
  4. ^ "George Fazio". PGA Tour. Retrieved 2025-08-15.