Michigan’s Al Watrous (Posthumous) Leads 2021 Class of 6 PGA of America Hall of Fame Inductees
By Tom Lang
Albert “Al” Watrous, one of the earliest members of the PGA of America, a member of the first two United States Ryder Cup teams and a three-time Senior PGA Champion, will be inducted posthumously into the PGA of America Hall of Fame, along with PGA Professionals Kyle Heyen, Ed Ibarguen, PGA Past President Paul K. Levy, Martin “Marty” Lyons and Gary Reynolds, during the 105th PGA Annual Meeting on Nov. 3, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Watrous was one of the most decorated golfers in the Michigan PGA Section’s history. A three-time Senior PGA Champion, Watrous was named the Michigan Section’s Golf Professional of the Year in 1958 and 1967. He won the Michigan PGA Championship nine times and the Senior Michigan PGA Championship five times. He also won eight PGA Tour events and was a member of the first two U.S. Ryder Cup teams in 1927 and 1929, as well as competing in the 1926 challenge matches (precursor to the Ryder Cup).
He finished runner-up to Bobby Jones in the 1926 Open Championship and twice made the PGA Championship semifinals when it was a match-play event. Watrous had a 37-year career as the PGA Professional at Oakland Hills Country Club and was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1962, the Polish American Hall of Fame in 1979, the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame in 1982, and the Michigan PGA Hall of Fame in 2011. He served as Michigan Section President from 1936-1937. In addition, Watrous penned a regular column designed to reach new golfers in the Detroit Times called “How to Play Golf.”
“These six new inductees into the PGA of America Hall of Fame are a source of great inspiration, mentorship and pride for their peers and to future generations of PGA Members. Their countless contributions to the game of golf will be honored forever as an indelible part of our Association’s storied history,” said PGA President Jim Richerson.
Also being inducted are Kyle Heyen of Colorado; Ed Ibarguen of the Carolinas Section; Paul K. Levy, the 40th President of the PGA of America; Marty Lyons (posthumous) from Philadelphia; and Gary Reynolds of Connecticut.
