Harvey Penick

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Harvey Morrison Penick (October 23, 1904–April 2, 1995) was a well respected and beloved teaching golf pro, considered one of the best golf teachers that ever lived.

Penick began his golf career as a caddy at Austin Country Club at age eight. He became the club's assistant pro five years later, and was promoted to head professional in 1923, where he remained until 1973.

Penick was the golf coach at the University of Texas from 1931 to 1963, and coached Tom Kite, Ben Crenshaw, Mickey Wright, Betsy Rawls, Sandra Palmer, Judy Kimball, Kathy Whitworth, Terry Dill, Don Massengale, Rik Massengale, as well as many other pros. In 1989, Penick was honored by the PGA of America as Teacher of the Year. In 1992, he authored Harvey Penick's Little Red Book, filled with insightful, easily understood anecdotes, it became the highest selling golf book ever published. While Penick was a strong all-around teacher of the game, he was perhaps the most gifted instructor of the mental game who ever lived. He advocated that once you address the ball, hitting it to the desired target must be the only thing in your life. Allow no negative thoughts, and focus on your goal.^[1]

During his final illness, he gave lessons from his deathbed to longtime student Ben Crenshaw. The day after serving as a pallbearer at Penick's funeral, Crenshaw played in the Masters Tournament. With the memory and spirit of his longtime friend and mentor to guide him, he became the second oldest Masters champion, winning his second Masters at the age of 43. In the post-tournament interview, Crenshaw said: "I had a 15th club in my bag," a reference to Penick. (The "15th club" reference is based on the golf rule that limits a player to carrying 14 clubs during a round.)

In 2002, Penick was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Harvey Morrison Penick from the Handbook of Texas Online
• Harvey Penick at Find a Grave