Dec. 1, 1939: Three-time USGA champion Lee Trevino was born. Trevino defeated Jack Nicklaus in 1968 and 1971 to win both of his U.S. Open titles – the latter coming in a playoff at Merion Golf Club.
Dec. 5, 1982: 2004 U.S. Amateur champion Ryan Moore was born. He won his second of two U.S. Amateur Public Links titles in 2004, becoming the first player to win both the Amateur and the Amateur Public Links in the same year – he also won the 2004 NCAA individual championship.
Dec. 8, 1980: Nashville, Tenn., native Brandt Snedeker was born. He won the 2003 U.S. Amateur Public Links, 10 and 9, over Dayton Rose and was a member of the Tennessee trio that won the 2003 USGA Men’s State Team Championship.
Dec. 9, 1967: Two-time USGA champion Cathy Mockett was born. As the medalist, Mockett won the 1984 U.S. Girls’ Junior and added her second title six years later in the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links.
Dec. 19, 1980: The winningest female champion in USGA history with eight titles, JoAnne Gunderson Carner, was named the recipient of the 1981 Bob Jones Award. Other notable champions who were nominated during the month of December include Tom Watson (1986), Gene Sarazen (1991) and Carol Semple Thompson (2002).
Dec. 22, 1894: After delegates from Newport Country Club, Saint Andrew’s Golf Club, The Country Club, Chicago Golf Club and Shinnecock Hills Golf Club met in New York, the United States Golf Association was formed to serve as the game’s national governing body.
Dec. 30, 1975: Nine-time USGA champion Tiger Woods was born. Before winning three U.S. Open titles (2000, 2002, 2008), Woods won an unprecedented six USGA championships in six years. He followed up three U.S. Junior Amateur wins (1991-1993) with three U.S. Amateur titles from 1994-1996. He is tied with Bob Jones for the most USGA championships victories.
Dec. 30, 1969: U.S. Girls’ Junior champion Michelle McGann was born. With a 7-and-5 victory over Lynne Mikulas in 1987, McGann is tied for the largest margin of victory in an 18-hole final in USGA championship history.