A Tribute to 1956 Masters Champion Jack Burke, Jr.

1956 Masters champion Jack Burke, Jr., who devoted his life to the game of golf, passed away on January 19th, 2024. One of the sport’s most remarkable legends, he was 100.

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Since 1934, the Masters Tournament has been home to some of golf’s greatest moments. Amidst blooming azaleas, towering pines and flowering dogwoods, the first full week of April ushers in a stage unique to golf and to sport. Over four days and 72 holes, the smallest field in major championship golf competes for a chance to capture the Green Jacket and a place in Masters history.

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John Joseph Burke Junior Jackie to the public Jack to his friends had a connection to the Masters Tournament and Augusta National that spanned more than a half century the 1956 Masters champion lived a long life that was most definitely rooted in the game of golf son of 1920 US Open runnerup Jack Burke

Senior the Texas native former Marine heralded teaching professional and clubmaker would come to the 1956 Masters having already won 10 times on tour with three previous Masters top 10 and with three-time Masters champion Jimmy deit as a coach and Mentor it seemed almost inevitable that Burke would have success at Augusta

National but the early story of the tournament that year was amateur sensation Ken ventur who jumped out to a four-shot lead after the third round Burke was eight shots back but the final round was so challenging that Master’s co-founder Bobby Jones called it the hardest playing conditions we have ever had in this

Tournament Burke would close with a 71 nine shots better than venturi’s 80 to win his first major [Applause] title later in 1956 he would go on to win the PGA Championship the second and final major of his [Applause] career for the next 50 plus years he

Would live a life mostly out of the spotlight quietly settling down at his beloved Champions golf club in Houston which he founded with de Merit in 1957 forever a teacher he worked with students until his death and mentored Master’s Champions Ben khaw and Phil mikkelson among others is it his time

Yes at long rest he once said I chose to to spend a good proportion of my time with my wife and our kids because 20 years from now I’d like to have a few other things in my life than just the joy of being recognized when I walk into

A restaurant Jackie Burke Jr consummate professional dedicated to the game of golf and forever a master’s Champion