Jack Burke Jr. '40

Jack came from a great golfing family background and became a PGA Champion, a Masters Champion, a Vardon Trophy Winner, a PGA Player of the Year, a player who won four consecutive tournaments in 1952, the winner of 17 events on the PGA TOUR, a five time Ryder Cup member (twice as captain), a PGA, Texas Golf Hall of Fame and World Golf Hall of Fame member.

Jack Burke, Sr. tied Harry Vardon and others for runner-up in the 1920 U.S. Open. In addition to being an outstanding player, Jack's father was one of the game's greatest teachers and practiced his trade at River Oaks Country Club in Houston when Jack, Jr. was learning the game. Jack, Jr. spent his early days in the caddy yard learning to compete. He enjoyed the constant flow of great Texas golfers at his dinner table, where he heard them talk about the game. From Harvey Penick and Babe Zaharias to Willie Maguire and Jimmy Demaret, they all came for instruction, and the young Jack absorbed something from each of them regarding the game of golf and how it should be played. Jack, Jr. has followed in his father's footsteps in becoming of the country's most sought after instructors.

Jack Burke is the president and co-founder of the Champions Golf Club in Houston, Texas. This club has hosted six PGA TOUR events, a Ryder Cup competition, a U.S. Championship and is scheduled to host its fourth TOUR Championship in October/November 2001. Champions is also annual host of the Champions Cup Invitational, a two-man team amateur event being played in 2001 for the 33rd time. The great success the Champions Golf club has enjoyed is largely due to the determination and leadership of Jack Burke.