Ernie Gonzalez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ernie Gonzalez |
|
|---|---|
| Personal information | |
| Born | February 19, 1961 San Diego, California |
| Died | May 15, 2020 (aged 59) Chicago, Illinois |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Weight | 210 lb (95 kg; 15 st) |
| Nationality |  United States |
| Residence | Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Career | |
| College | United States International University |
| Turned professional | 1983 |
| Former tour(s) | PGA Tour |
| Professional wins | 1 |
| Number of wins by tour | |
| PGA Tour | 1 |
| Best results in Major Championships |
|
| The Masters Tournament | CUT: 1987 |
| U.S. Open | CUT: 1987 |
| The Open Championship | DNP |
| PGA Championship | CUT: 1987 |
Ernie Gonzalez (born February 19, 1961 – died May 15, 2020) was an American professional golfer. He played on the PGA Tour during the 1980s. He achieved a major win in 1986. This made him one of the very few left-handed golfers to win a Tour event.
Early Life and Golf Start
Ernie Gonzalez was born in Chula Vista, a town near San Diego, on February 19, 1961. His family background was diverse. His father was of Mexican descent, and his mother was Puerto Rican.
Ernie loved golf from a young age. He attended the United States International University. There, he was an important player on the university's golf team. After finishing college, he decided to become a professional golfer in 1983.
A Special Win
Ernie Gonzalez played full-time on the PGA Tour from 1985 to 1989. His biggest moment came in 1986 at the Pensacola Open. The tournament was shorter than usual because of rain. Ernie played incredibly well, finishing with a score of 14 strokes under par. He won the event by just one stroke, beating fellow golfer Joey Sindelar. This was his only victory on the PGA Tour.
His win was extra special because Ernie was left-handed. Before him, only two other left-handed golfers had won on the PGA Tour: Bob Charles and Sam Adams. Ernie's victory showed that left-handed players could succeed at the highest level of golf.
Ernie was also friends with Phil Mickelson, another famous left-handed golfer from San Diego. In 1988, Ernie helped Mickelson, who was still an amateur at the time, play a practice round with golf legend Seve Ballesteros. This happened during Mickelson's first PGA Tour event.
Later Life and Legacy
After his time on the PGA Tour, Ernie Gonzalez continued to work in golf. He became a golf instructor, teaching others how to play. He also worked at a beverage company. He played in a few golf events from time to time, but not full-time.
Ernie lived in Las Vegas with his family. He was married to Judy, and they had a son named David, who was born in 1992. Ernie wanted to be a good role model for his son. He was a Christian and attended Shadow Hills Baptist Church. His nephew, Brian Smock, also became a PGA Tour golfer.
Ernie Gonzalez passed away on May 15, 2020, in a hospital in Chicago. He was 59 years old and had been dealing with health problems.
See also
- 1984 PGA Tour Qualifying School graduates
- 1985 PGA Tour Qualifying School graduates
