Dennis Paulson

Nickname "The Chief" evolved while playing with brother Dean in tournament at Valencia CC in mid-'80s. Covered himself with moss and mud after disgustedly swinging his club at water following a poor chip. Dean said he resembled an Indian with his sun-reddened face. Nickname stuck, so much so that Dennis says some friends haven't called him by his first name since. Wears nickname on back of hat...While ranked No. 1 in Southern California, quit golf in high school because of political issues involving scholarships. Didn't play for 18 months before going to San Diego State, where he missed making team. Tried again 18 months later and gained last spot via qualifying.
Played for three years on the Asian Tour and won the 1990 Philippines Open. Also played on the PGA Tour in 1994 & '95.
1997 Nationwide Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 25; in money - 18; top ten finishes - 5; stroke average 70.93 (25th); money $81,344 (ranked 25th); best finish, T2nd, Nike Carolina Classic & 2nd Nike Laurel Creek Classic.
1998 Nationwide Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 26; in money - 18; top ten finishes - 8; stroke average 70.22 (6th); money $145,065 (ranked 6th); winner Nike Huntsville Open.
Played in three PGA Tour events in 1998 best finish T-59th in Nissan Open.
1999 PGA Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 28; in money - 25; top ten finishes - 7; stroke average 70.53 (32nd); money $1,313,814 (ranked 27th); best finish, 2nd Buick Classic & Bell Canadian Open.
2000 PGA Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 26; in money - 15; top ten finishes - 1; stroke average 71.52 (123rd); money $896,098 (ranked 51st); winner Buick Classic.
2001 PGA Tour Summary: Tournaments entered: 25 / Rounds Played: 74 / Cuts made: 13 / Top-Ten Finishes: 3
Earnings: $811,105 Rank (64th); Best finish: T-2nd at the Nissan Open
2001 Stats: Scoring - 71.01 / (78th); Driving Distance - 281.6 / (72nd); Driving Accuracy - 61.4% / (185th); GIR - 64.9% / (140); Putting - 1.779 / (115th); Birdie Average - 3.55 per rd / (114th) / Total Birdies - 263; Sand Saves - 59.1% / (20th); Scrambling - 59.1% / (119th); All-Around Rank - 793 / (99th).
2002 PGA Tour Summary: Tournaments entered: 30 / Rounds Played: 87 / Cuts made: 13 / Top-Ten Finishes: 0 / Best finish: T-11th at the B.C. Open / Earnings: $344,121 Rank (151st)
2002 Stats: Scoring - 71.67 / (146th); Driving Distance - 293.7 / (4th); Driving Accuracy - 59.1% / (192nd); GIR - 65.0% / (117th); Putting - 1.783 / (132nd); Birdie Average - 3.60 per rd / (104th) / Total Birdies - 313; Sand Saves - 54.2% / (56th); All-Around Rank - 817 / (106th).
2003 PGA Tour Summary: Tournaments entered - 15; Rounds Played - 49; in money - 10; top -10 Finishes - 2; money $452,648 Rank (135th); Best finish: T-3rd at the The Reno-Tahoe Open