Lee Trevino

Born in Dallas, Texas, “Super Mex” was raised by his mother who worked as a house cleaner, and his grandfather, who was a gravedigger. Lee’s family home was located at the back of a golf course, and he grew up watching golfers play.

Entirely self-taught at first, Trevino
eventually became the protégé of Hardy Greenwood, owner of Hardy’s Driving Range in Dallas.  Working as a caddie and a green keeper to stay close to the game he loved, Trevino’s playing skills matured later than most Hall of Famers.  
After serving with the Marines from ages 17-21, Trevino became a golf professional in 1960, and took his first job working as an assistant in El Paso, TX, before joining the professional golf circuit in 1966. In 1967, Trevino was named Rookie of the Year.  His first major victory came at the 1968 U.S. Open at the age of 29.

In the course of his career, Trevino won 75 professional tournaments and six major championships: the U.S. Open twice (1968, 1971), back-to-back British Opens in 1971 and 1972, and the PGA Championship in 1974 and 1984, his final TOUR victory at age 44.  

The U.S. Ryder Cup Captain in 1985, Trevino played on six American teams.  He also teamed with Jack Nicklaus in 1971 to win the World Cup.  Trevino says his greatest sports moment came when he beat Nicklaus in an 18-hole playoff in the 1971 U. S. Open at Merion.  

Winning the Vardon Trophy for low scoring average five times, Trevino was named PGA Player of the Year and the Associated Press and Sports Illustrated’s Athlete of the Year in 1971.  He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1981.

Trevino is married to wife Claudia and has four sons, and two daughters.