Jerry Pate

Served as a color analyst on CBS, ABC, and BBC golf broadcasts during the 1990s. Wife, Soozi, and Bruce Lietzke's wife, Rose, are sisters. Received degree from Alabama in summer of 2001, walking through graduation ceremonies with daughter, Jenni. Involved in the golf course design business and also owns and operates a wholesale distributorship for Toro, Echo and Lawnboy outdoor power and irrigation products that serves seven southeastern states.
An award-winning golf course designer, with more than 30 projects worldwide. Maintains a busy schedule, overseeing project design and development on his courses across the country.
Was the medalist at the 1975 PGA Tour Fall Qualifying Tournament after an All-American career at Alabama concluded in 1975. Defeated John Grace, 2 and 1, to win the 1974 U.S. Amateur at Ridgewood Country Club in Paramus, New Jersey. Played on the victorious USA Walker Cup Team in 1975 at St. Andrews and also was on the winning American team in the 1981 Ryder Cup at Walton Heath, England.
Won the U.S. Open in 1976, capped by a 5-iron approach from the rough and over water to two feet and a two-stroke win at Atlanta Athletic Club.
Also won the first Tournament Players Championship staged at the TPC Sawgrass in dramatic fashion in 1982, using an orange golf ball. Played the final seven holes at 4-under and birdied both the 17th (15-foot putt) and 18th (5-iron to 2 feet) to register a two-stroke victory over Brad Bryant and Scott Simpson. Celebrated the win by pushing former PGA Tour Commissioner Deane Beman and course architect Pete Dye into the large lake left of No. 18 green and then diving in himself.
A full-time member of the PGA Tour from 1976-1995, playing 352 events and making 213 cuts, recording 70 top-10 finishes with eight victories in 15 runner-up finishes.
Has two Champions Tour victories, at the 2006 Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am and the 2008 Turtle Bay Championship.
2012 Notes: Played in seven events and finished in the top-20 three times, best was a T-11th at the Montreal Championship. Performance in Canada was his best on the Champions Tour since 2009 Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf.
2013 Notes: Played in 4 events, his best finish a T-35th at the Senior PGA Championship.
2014 Notes: Played in two events, T-46th at Regions Tradition and T-12th at Big Cedar Lodge Legends of Golf paired with Ben Crenshaw.
2015 Notes: Played in four of the Champions Tour five majors, in five starts best finish was T-23rd when he was paired with Ben Crenshaw.
2016 Notes: Played in 4 events, best finish T-23rd Regions Tradition.
2017 Notes: Best finish in 4 starts, T-33rd at Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf playing with Ben Crenshaw.
2018 Notes: Made four starts, T-33rd at Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf playing with Ben Crenshaw. Also was T-33rd at the Regions Tradition, T-56th at the Senior PGA Championship, and missed the cut at the Senior Open Championship.
2019 Notes: Played in three events, 64th at the Regions Tradition, T-41st at the Japan Championship, and missed the cut at the Senior Open Championship.
2020 & 2021 Notes: Only start T-69th at the 2021 Mitsubishi Electric Classic.