"7 Famous Brothers And What They Did"

By Corey Kigannon, New York Times (appearing with permission from the author)

Fifty years before Tiger Woods was born, the seven Turnesa brothers were dominating the fairways and greens in Westchester. Several also dominated national tournaments, often beating golfing legends like Ben Hogan and Sam Snead Following are brief descriptions of the seven listed oldest to youngest:

Phil, the oldest brother turned pro in 1923 and taught at Elmwood Country Club in Elmsford.

Frank took a job at Metroplis Country Club in White Plains, and became the family authority on golf technique. He died in 1949 at the age of 51.

Winners of the 1st Ryder Cup, 1927: Gene Sarazen, Joe Turnesa and Walter Hagen.

Joe was the tallest, at six feet, and the first to rise to national fame. He played on three Ryder Cup teams and won 14 tour titles. In 1926, at 25, he lost the U.S. Open by one stroke to Bobby Jones on the final hole. The following year, Joe lost the P.G.A. Championship, again on the last hole, to Walter Hagen. Joe eventually became the pro at the Alpine Club in Providence.

Mike won the Westchester Open in 1933 and in 1941. He was beaten by Ben Hogan in the 1948 P.G.A. finals, and the 1942 national Open finals. He worked as the head pro at Knollwood Country Club in Elmsford from 1942 to 1986.

Jimmy, perhaps the family's best pure ball-striker, beat Byron Nelson and Ben Hogan in the 1942 P.G.A. Championship before losing the final to Sam Snead. He beat chick Harbert to win the 1952 P.G.A. For this he won $3,500 (by comparison, Tiger Woods received $900,000 for winning the P.G.A. in 2000). He worked at the Tyewood Country Club in Rye.

Doug became a teaching pro at Briar Hall Country Club in Briarcliff Manor, which is now being developed into Trump National golf course.

Willie, the youngest brother, was the only one to remain an amateur and was sent to college by his brothers. He won the Westchester in 1933, 1936 and 1937. He won the U.S. Amateur in 1938 and 1948, and won the British Amateur in 1947.

Corey Kilgannon, NewYork Times