Don Pooley

Pooley played full-time on the PGA Tour between 1976 and 2000. In 546 events played, earned two victories, was runner-up six times, finished third seven times and finished in the top-10 80 times. Had accumulated earnings of $3.3 million and in 1985 he won the Vardon Trophy. Best season came in 1987 when he earned a career-best $450,005 thanks to a win at the Memorial Tournament. Finished the season 18th on the money list.
Battled various injuries in the early 1990s. Suffered a ruptured disc in his neck taking practice swings and underwent surgery in January 1992. Followed with lower back surgery in October 1993. Went from October 1993-April 1994 and May-September 1994 without touching a club.
Won the 2002 U.S. Senior Open in dramatic fashion, holing a 10-foot birdie putt on the fifth extra playoff hole to beat Tom Watson at Caves Valley G.C. near Baltimore. Pooley qualified for that tournament in Nashville and became the first qualifier to win the championship.
In 2007, missed nearly two months of action due to a bulging disc in his neck. Did not play from late May until mid-July. 2009 was the first season that he went through the whole year without any ailments.
Best finish on the Champions Tour in 2010 was a tie for fifth at the Principal Charity Classic and a tie for 10th at the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf.
2011 Notes: He competed in 10 events with his best finish being a T-17th at the Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am. Also recorded three other top-25 finishes.
2012 Notes: Entered just one event, the Toshiba Classic and finished T-67th. A couple of weeks after that event, spent 3 hours in surgery having a concerous prostate gland removed.
2013 Notes: Returned to golf were he left off at the Toshiba Classic, finishing T-66th. Played in nine events with his best finish being a T-16th at the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf where he was teamed with Morris Hatalsky.
Thus far in 2014, has had success again being teamed up with Morris Hatalsky as they finished T-5th at the Big Cedar Lodge Legends of Golf.