Felice Torza

Felice Torza
Torza, circa 1953
Personal information
Full name	Felice Joseph Torza
Born	(1920-03-15)March 15, 1920 Naples, Italy
Died	December 23, 1983(1983-12-23) (aged 63)
Sporting nationality	United States
Career
Status	Professional
Former tour(s)	PGA Tour
Professional wins	5
Best results in major championships
Masters Tournament	T29: 1953
PGA Championship	2nd: 1953
U.S. Open	T24: 1952
The Open Championship	DNP

Felice Joseph Torza (March 15, 1920 – December 23, 1983) was an American professional golfer. He played primarily in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s.

Early life

Torza was born in Naples, Italy, on March 15, 1920.[1]

Professional career

Like most of the golfers of his generation, he earned his living primarily as a club professional during his regular career years. Torza worked as the head club pro at the Aurora Country Club in Aurora, Illinois for 28 years.[2][3]

Torza was the runner-up in the 1953 PGA Championship. He was defeated, 2 and 1, in the final by Walter Burkemo, in the match play era.[4]

Torza was nicknamed Toy Tiger[5] by his fellow golfers due to his fiercely competitive nature and diminutive stature.

Personal life

Torza died on December 23, 1983.

Honors and awards

• In 1965, he was inducted into the Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame.[6]
• In 1968, he was awarded the Illinois PGA Professional of the Year award.[2]

Professional wins (5)

• 1946 Connecticut Open
• 1947 Rhode Island Open
• 1950 Illinois Open Championship
• 1958 Illinois Open Championship
• 1965 Illinois Match Play Championship

References

1. Burrill, Jack (August 10, 1996). "Connecticut connections to the PGA Championship". CT Golfer. Retrieved September 14, 2007.
2. "A History of the Aurora Country Club". Archived from the original on September 13, 2007. Retrieved September 14, 2007.
3. "President's news from Aurora Country Club". Retrieved September 14, 2007. ^[dead link‍]
4. "Time Scoreboard". Time. July 20, 1953. Archived from the original on December 22, 2008. Retrieved September 14, 2007.
5. Harrington, Jeff. "Fenton Farms Evolves From Its Colorful Past". Michigan Golfer. Retrieved September 14, 2007.
6. CT Golf Hall of Fame Members Archived December 27, 2008, at the Wayback Machine