Fuzzy Zoeller was born on 11 November, 1951 in New Albany, Indiana, United States, is an American professional golfer. The diagnosis kind of took the wind out of my sails, he said. You have permission to edit this article. He founded Fuzzys Vodka in 2009, dabbles in IndyCar racing sponsorship, has designed or redesigned 28 golf courses, and puts his name and celebrity behind charitable causes. 5-May-1979) Daughter: Heidi Leigh (b. But I miss seeing the guys. Griffin, 59, was head girls coach at Heyworth High School for 16 years. Champions Tour - 2007 AT&T Champions Classic - Final RoundPhoto by Steve Grayson/WireImage.com, Fuzzy Zoeller in action during the first round of the PGA Champion's TOUR 2007 AT&T Champions Classic at the Valencia Country Club in Santa Clarita, California on March 16, 2007. "[3], In 2009, Zoeller began selling vodka under the brand name "Fuzzy's Vodka". The 5' 10'' tall player has bagged a total of $5,376,994during his professional career span in the PGA tour. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images), CHAMPIONS GATE, FL - DECEMBER 06: Fuzzy Zoeller of the USA watches his daughter Gretchen Zoeller as she urges on her putt at the 18th hole during the first round of the Del Webb Father Son Challenge on the International Course at Champions Gate Golf Club on December 6, 2008 in Champions Gate, Florida. The only two other golfers to have won The Masters on their debut at Augusta were the winners of the first two Masters tournaments Horton Smith and Gene Sarazen, in 1934 and 1935 respectively. He won two major championships and was known to heckle his opponents on the golf course. He insists its true. They are living a happy and wonderful life with their children. His passion includes hunting and fishing. Another document, a spreadsheet of banking transactions, showsthree of Ganote's shell companies paid a total of more than $290,000 to Zoeller's company. Is he the smiling, thumbs-up guy we see on the golf course? Another added bonus of winning The Masters is being able to play the tournament as long as you like, even if you really have no chance of winning. Fuzzy Zoeller is married to Diane Thornton Zoeller since 1975, according to the sources from News and Tribune. The avuncular Indiana native breathed a word to no one that it could be his last go-around. Zoeller is only 67, so strolling around the short course at Augusta National Golf Club wouldnt seem like a monumental proposition. About Us AKA Frank Urban Zoeller, Jr.. Born: 11-Nov-1951 Birthplace: New Albany, IN Gender: Male Race or Ethnicity: White Sexual orientation: Straight Occupation: Golf Nationality: United States Executive summary: Winner of 2 Majors Wife: Diane Thornton (three daughters, one son) Daughter: Sunny Noel (b. There was a problem saving your notification. He shot a closing-round 78 to finish at 7-over the week, 25 shots behind Woods, and tied for 34th. He will start swinging again. But Gretchen insists she feels no pressure, and credits her father for lightening the load. He wants to be somewhat prepared for the Par-3 Contest at Augusta next April. Frank Urban Zoeller Jr. (initials FUZ, as in Fuzzy) has been a celebrity ever since, entertaining us with one-liners and 9-irons to within a foot of the pin. He is a major power player in Indianas health care industry and a frequent host of Democratic political fundraisers. [2], He competed at the 1979, 1983 and 1985 Ryder Cups. Theschemes account for more than $9 million of the total losses in the criminal case. Zoeller is appreciated for his coolness under pressure attitude while whittling down the fairway. By signing up, you agree to the Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. blog cricgolf. Zoeller, whose office helped investigate the scheme as part of a separate criminal matter, said he was unaware at that time of any link between his cousin and those who pleaded guilty in the fraud. If not, I cant wait to get out in the working field.. Fuzzy Zoeller follows the flight of his tee shot on the 13th hole during the second round of the Champions' Tour 2005 SBC Classic at the Valencia Country Club in Valencia, California March 12, 2005. Williams, who worked Adam Scotts bag after being fired by Tiger, said that Scotts 2011 triumph at The Masters was the greatest win of his career (he was on Tigers bag for 13 major championships). Champions Tour - 2007 Allianz Championship - Second RoundPhoto by Sam Greenwood/WireImage.com, Fuzzy Zoeller during the first round of the Allianz Championship held at The Old Course at Broken Sound Club in Boca Raton, Florida, on February 9, 2007. He's been fodder for late-night comics. Every morning when the gates open at 8 a.m. and fans https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2003/10/26/2003-college-daughter-takes-after-fuzzy/, Mexico, Caribbean, Atlantic islands, Central America, Top 50 Classic Courses in Great Britain & Ireland, Top 50 Modern Courses in Great Britain & Ireland, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Wed wake up the next day and do the same thing. Others wereaccused of participating in the fraud, but were never charged with a crime. She carried him to T12, his final top-20 . She is the cousin of former Indiana Attorney General Greg Zoeller, whose agency was part of the criminal investigation and who stood on stage when charges against Burkhart and others were announced. AUGUSTA, Ga. The best and worst moments of Fuzzy Zoeller's professional life took place on the same expanse of manicured lawn, a few hundred yards apart. Sports editor for Lee Enterprises Central Illinois. Because of his unique and friendly approach, he has a worldwide fan base known as the "Fuzzy Fans". Greg Zoeller was Indiana's elected attorney general when the criminal case was under investigation, and his office's Medicaid fraud unitparticipated in the probe. Champions Tour - 2007 Toshiba Classic - Final RoundPhoto by Steve Grayson/WireImage.com, Fuzzy Zoeller in action during the secound round of the 2007 PGA Champion's TOUR at Newport Beach Country Club in Newport Beach, California on March 10, 2007. Diane was pregnant with their first daughter when her husband was attending his first Masters' tournament where he defeated Ed Sneed and Tom Watson and winning Masters' Tournament at his debut match. Nine days after the comments were made, his public apology appeared in the New York Times. But to an entire generation of golf fans, hell always be known as the guy who made those racist comments about Tiger Woods during Tigers historic win at Augusta National in 1997. Our sincere condolences go out to them. Fuzzy is also involved in charity and Fuzzys Charity for Kids has raised more than $2.5 million for numerous nonprofits serving children in Kentuckiana. Furthermore, he was awarded the USGA Bob Jones Award in 1985, an award that is given in recognition of distinguished sportsmanship in golf. "[9], Zoeller later offered an apology directly to Woods, which Woods accepted. He shot a 3-under 69 on Sunday to complete a 12-shot victory. 26 Gretchen Zoeller Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images FILTERS CREATIVE EDITORIAL VIDEO 26 Gretchen Zoeller Premium High Res Photos Browse 26 gretchen zoeller photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more photos and images. Forty years ago, Fuzzy Zoeller became just the third man to win the Masters in his debut. He quit on the day he walked into the hospital. He produced his own line of Vodka as well but subsequently came out of line in the summer of 2009. Photo: Augusta Nationa via Getty Images. Zoeller shared the 54-hole lead in the 1994 Open Championship after a 3rd round of 64, but finished the tournament in 3rd place, his best-ever finish in The Open. In 1979, in his very first appearance at The Masters, Fuzzy Zoeller became just the third player in history to win in his debut at Augusta National. [13] Defendant Josef Silny said a computer consultant would investigate. Saturday, February 25th, 2006Photo by Hunter Martin/WireImage.com, Fuzzy Zoeller during the first round of the 2006 Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am held at TPC of Tampa Bay in Lutz, Florida, on February 24, 2006.Photo by: Chris Condon/PGA TOUR, Fuzzy Zoeller during the first round of the ACE Group Classic held at the TwinEagles GC in Naples, Florida on February 17, 2006.Photo by Sam Greenwood/WireImage.com, Fuzzy Zoeller during the first round of the Champions Tour ACE Group Classic at The Club at TwinEagles on Friday, February 17, 2006, in Naples, Florida.Photo by Grant Halverson/WireImage.com, Fuzzy Zoeller smiles on the first tee during the first round of the 2006 Turtle Bay Championship - Turtle Bay Resort, Kahuku, Oahu, HawaiiPhoto by: Chris Condon/PGA TOUR, Fuzzy Zoeller in action during the first round of the 2006 Turtle Bay Championship - Turtle Bay Resort, Kahuku, Oahu, HawaiiPhoto by: Chris Condon/PGA TOUR, Fuzzy Zoeller in action during the third and final round of the 2006 Mastercard Championship at Hualalai resort, Kona, Hawaii. The professional golfer is also known for his charity events, he hosted Wolf Challenge at his Covered Bridge Golf Club that raised more than $2 million for Kentuckiana kids. his Bachelors degree in mass media from HR College, Mumbai. AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 10: Fuzzy Zoeller hands his signed golf ball to daughter/caddie Gretchen after his final Masters at the 2009 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 10, 2009 . But its all good now.. As his smile faded, Zoeller shared the real reason hes given up the game that made him famous. You cant keep a good man down. A month after Zoellers was released, the New York Times reported that Tiger Woods and Fuzzy Zoeller met for lunch at famed Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth ahead of the Mastercard Colonial tournament, which was the first event in which both played following the incident at The Masters. Before joining [7][8], "I know Fuzzy, and it was obvious to me that he was attempting to be funny," fellow golf professional Tom Lehman said. Champions Tour - 2006 SAS Championship - Second RoundPhoto by Kevin C. Cox/WireImage.com, Fuzzy Zoeller during the third round of the JELD-WEN Tradition at The Reserve Vineyards & Golf Club in Aloha, Oregon on Saturday, August 26, 2006.Photo by Steve Levin/WireImage.com, Fuzzy Zoeller reacts to a missed putt on #16 during the first round of the 3M Championship held at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota, on August 4, 2006.Photo by: Chris Condon/PGA TOUR, Fuzzy Zoeller hits out of a bunker at #18 during the first round of the 3M Championship held at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota, on August 4, 2006.Photo by: Chris Condon/PGA TOUR, Fuzzy Zoeller during the third round of the Ford Senior Players Championship held at TPC Michigan in Dearborn, Michigan, on July 15, 2006.Photo by Gregory Shamus/WireImage.com, Fuzzy Zoeller during the second round of the Ford Senior Players Championship held at TPC Michigan in Dearborn, Michigan, on July 14, 2006.Photo by Gregory Shamus/WireImage.com, Fuzzy Zoeller during the first round of the Ford Senior Players Championship held at TPC Michigan in Dearborn, Michigan, on July 13, 2006.Photo by: Stan Badz/PGA TOUR, Fuzzy Zoeller hits a tee shot during the second round of the U.S. Senior Open at Prairie Dunes Country Club in Hutchinson, Kansas on July 7, 2006.Photo by G. Newman Lowrance/WireImage.com, Grant Rieler, 4, was given a golf ball from Fuzzy Zoeller in the third and final round of the Allianz Championship held at Glen Oaks Country Club in West Des Moines, IA, on June 4, 2006.Photo by: Stan Badz/PGA TOUR, Fuzzy Zoeller competes in the first round of the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf at Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa in Savannah, Georgia, on April 21, 2006.Photo by: Chris Condon/PGA TOUR, Fuzzy Zoeller tees off on #4 during the first round of the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf at Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa in Savannah, Georgia, on April 21, 2006.Photo by: Chris Condon/PGA TOUR, Fuzzy Zoeller during practice for the 2006 Masters at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia on April 5, 2006.Photo by Sam Greenwood/WireImage.com, Fuzzy Zoeller during the par 3 contest prior to the 2006 Masters at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia on April 5, 2006.Photo by Sam Greenwood/WireImage.com, Fuzzy Zoeller in action during the first round of the Toshiba Classic, March 17, 2006, held at Newport Beach Country Club, Newport Beach, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images), AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 06: Fuzzy Zoeller has a laugh on a green during the Par 3 Contest prior to the 2011 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 6, 2011 in Augusta, Georgia. It remains unclear to what extent, if any, prosecutors probed those financial transactions. Dad and I both hate hitting balls on the range, she says. Champions Tour - 2006 AT&T Championship - Second RoundPhoto by Steve Levin/WireImage.com, Fuzzy Zoeller tees off the fourth hole during the second round of the SAS Championship Saturday, October 7, 2006, at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary, North Carolina. Kindred: Tim McGuires coaching journey reaches its end. May 26, 2005Photo by Chris Condon/WireImage.com, Fuzzy Zoeller at the 8th during the second round of the Bruno's Memorial Classic, May 21,2005, held at Greystone GC, Birmingham, Al. Diane was his friend since first grade and were childhood friends. Champions Tour - 2007 Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship - Third RoundPhoto by Jonathan Ernst/WireImage.com, Fuzzy Zoeller hits from the 10th fairway during the second round of the Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship at Baltimore Country Club/Five Farms (East Course) October 5, 2007 in Timonium, Maryland. Zoeller did make the cut at Augusta in '97 but, like everyone else, was well back of Tiger Woods on Sunday. Fans are on their best behavior. The 68-years-old Frank was born on 11 November 1951 under the star sign Scorpio. Well, I'm chomping on this gum because I usually get hungry, I keep eating so much, and it curbs my appetite a little bit, which is nice, Woods said. Months before Burkhart and his co-defendants were indicted in 2016, ASC privately told federal prosecutorsabout Zoeller's alleged involvement in the hospice, home health and ambulance schemes. "T" indicates a tie for a place. The previous years champion gets to select the menu at the event, which plays into the upcoming story. J was a gift that keeps on giving for Illinois State, Kindred: Fifty years and counting, Bloomingtons baseball loss to Macons Mod Squad lives on, Kindred: Is Mickelson for real? In 1979, he "He probably would have said the same thing to Tiger's face and they both would have yukked it up[But] it wasn't the best timing, and it wasn't in good taste. . *Note: The 1986 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am was shortened to 54 holes due to weather. HHC operates the Marion County public health department, thecity's publicly owned Eskenazi Hospital, and several health centers designed to serve low-income residents. He has been interested in helping kids since joining the pro ranks in the golf industry. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. I went full-time at the house because she needed me at the house, said Zoeller, who lives in Floyds Knobs, Indiana. 2Defeated Norman in an 18-hole playoff - Zoeller 67 (3), Norman 75 (+5). Ive been on the tour for 23 years and anybody who knows me knows that I am a jokester. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images), AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 06: Fuzzy Zoeller waits on a green during the Par 3 Contest prior to the 2011 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 6, 2011 in Augusta, Georgia. 23-Aug-1981) Daughter: Gretchen Marie (b. He won two events on the senior tour and played his last event in 2017. Fuzzy's vodka was created by Frank Urban Zoeller "Fuzzy", one of the great characters and competitors golf has ever known. He has a passion for designing golf courses as well and has designed 19 golf courses, three of which are utilized on the PGA Tour. Frank Urban "Fuzzy" Zoeller Jr. (/zlr/; born November 11, 1951) is an American professional golfer who has won ten PGA Tour events including two major championships. Champions Tour - 2007 Wal-Mart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach - Final RoundPhoto by Greg Trott/WireImage.com, Fuzzy Zoeller during the second round of the JELD-WEN Tradition on the Crosswater Course at Crosswater Club on August 17, 2007 in Sunriver, Oregon. But he still attends the tournament without fail, and there he was again this past April in his green jacket with a drink in one hand and a cigarette in the other, ready with a quip. Moreover, along with 10 PGA Tours, he also won the 1984 U.S. Open, which earned him the 1985 Bob Jones Award. Mazanowskipleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit mail, wire and health care fraud. Weibring shot a second round 12 under par.Photo by Stan Badz/PGA TOUR/WireImage.com, Fuzzy Zoeller attempts to hit his ball out of the muck along the 18th during the second round of the Bruno's Memorial Classic, May 21,2005, held at Greystone GC, Birmingham, Al. indicates the event was won in a playoff; indicates the event was won wire-to-wire; # indicates the event was won by an amateur, Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, Andy Williams-San Diego Open Invitational, Panasonic Las Vegas Pro Celebrity Classic, 1974 PGA Tour Qualifying School graduates, "Fittingly, Zoeller Thrives On Sunny Day At Turnberry", "Golfer says comments about Woods 'misconstrued', "Golfer Sues Over Vandalized Wikipedia Page", "Zoeller sues to identify the author of a disputed entry on Wikipedia", "Wikipedia entry causes pro-golfer Fuzzy Zoeller to sue", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fuzzy_Zoeller&oldid=1071766663, Winners of men's major golf championships, Winners of senior major golf championships, Ryder Cup competitors for the United States, Wikipedia indefinitely semi-protected biographies of living people, Wikipedia indefinitely move-protected pages, Articles with unsourced statements from April 2019, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, 1972 Florida State Junior College Championship (individual), 1987 Merrill Lynch Shoot-Out Championship, Most consecutive cuts made 8 (1993 Masters 1994 PGA), This page was last edited on 14 February 2022, at 07:27. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images), AUGUSTA, GA - APRIL 09: Duramed FUTURES Tour player Jeana Finlinson hugs Fuzzy Zoeller after she hit one shot on the 12th hole after being invited to by Zoeller during the third day of practice prior to the start of the 2008 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 9, 2008 in Augusta, Georgia. It made him a perfect fit for the Marcfirst event, which included a VIP gala Sunday evening at the Doubletree Hotel by Hilton and the organization's 20th annual Golf Classic on Monday at The Den at Fox Creek. Gutwein honed his legal chops as a young lawyer in the Indiana Attorney Generals Office, where he represented the state during boxer Mike Tysons rape conviction appeal. These cell phones are scary. The new allegations, if true, reveal another layer to a $19 million fraud scheme that resulted in federal indictments of former ASC CEO Jim Burkhart and four others in 2016. Latest on Fuzzy Zoeller including news, stats, videos, highlights and more on ESPN Because she is the daughter of a popular professional player, Zoeller says people often have high expectations. But I didn't mean anything by it and I'm sorry if I offend anybody. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. The Players Championship TPC Sawgrass (Stadium Course) . Ive picked up enough of them, said Zoeller, who won 10 PGA Tour titles and two more on the PGA Tour Champions. Players are bigger, stronger and more fit. Did you get those at a Buster Brown fire sale? Fuzzy Zoeller hits a chip shot on the 6th hole during the first round of the Champions' Tour 2005 SBC Classic at the Valencia Country Club in Valencia, California March 11, 2005. Youve always got those people who think Im going to go out there and win every tournament, she says, and thats not how it works. Master's champion, Fuzzy Zoeller, asks the gallery at the Augusta National for a volunteer to hit his tee shot at this legendary par 3 hole during Wednesday morning's practice round. It is a side of Zoeller we havent seen through the years as he yukked it up with galleries, needled fellow players or joked with reporters. Kindred: National Guard to national pastime, LeRoys Logan, Glen Petersen reunited for baseball season, Kindred: From quarantine to Big 12 crown, Normal Community baseball run well done, Kindred: Dr. Last year, New sold his Fishers mansion to NBA star Gordon Hayward and now lives in a condo near the beach in Naples, Florida. Champions Tour - 2007 Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship - Second RoundPhoto by Chris Condon/PGA TOUR/WireImage.com, Fuzzy Zoeller hits from the 4th fairway during the third round of the Constellation Energy Senior Players Championship at Baltimore Country Club/Five Farms (East Course) in Timonium, Maryland, on October 6, 2007. The public-private partnership allowed HHC to rapidly grow its nursing home holdings, but it also proved susceptible to fraud on a huge scale. [10], On February 13, 2007, Zoeller sued Josef Silny & Associates, a foreign-credential evaluation firm based in Miami, Florida. Weibring shot a second round 12 under par.Photo by Stan Badz/PGA TOUR/WireImage.com, Fuzzy Zoeller studies the sky during the final round of the 2005 Blue Angels Class May 15 in Milton, Fl.Photo by Al Messerschmidt/WireImage.com, Fuzzy Zoeller drives from the seventh tee during the opening round of the 2005 Blue Angels Class May 13 in Milton, Fl.Photo by Al Messerschmidt/WireImage.com, Gil Morgan jokes with Fuzzy Zoeller on the 18th green during the opening round of the 2005 Blue Angels Class May 13 in Milton, Fl.Photo by Al Messerschmidt/WireImage.com, Fuzzy Zoeller tells the fans that the putt on the 18th hole should have dropped during the opening round of the 2005 Blue Angels Class May 13 in Milton, Fl.Photo by Al Messerschmidt/WireImage.com, Gil Morgan and Fuzzy Zoeller wait to tee off on the seventh hole during the opening round of the 2005 Blue Angels Class May 13 in Milton, Fl.Photo by Al Messerschmidt/WireImage.com, Fuzzy Zoeller hits from the 10th tee during the final round of the 2005 FedEx Kinko's Classic at the Hills Country Club in Austin, Texas May 1, 2005.Photo by Steve Grayson/WireImage.com, Fuzzy Zoeller acknowledges the gallery after saving par on the 10th green during the first round of the FedEX Kinko's Classic at the Hills Country Club in Austin, Texas April 29, 2005.Photo by Steve Grayson/WireImage.com, Fuzzy Zoeller hits from the 11th tee during the first round of the FedEX Kinko's Classic at the Hills Country Club in Austin, Texas April 29, 2005.Photo by Steve Grayson/WireImage.com, Fuzzy Zoeller drives from the third tee during the final round of the 2005 Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf tournament, April 24, in Savannah.Photo by Al Messerschmidt/WireImage.com, Fuzzy Zoeller gives a big hug to Tippy Sookhowee of Sag Harbor, NY after she made a putt on #9 during Wednesday's par-3 competition at the 2005 Masters at Augusta National Golf Club - Augusta, Georgia April 6, 2005. The exact reason or cause of her death is still a mystery. Just a few hours earlier he was leading the tournament, having reached 7 under. With all of his career earning from his professional career and business ventures, he is living a lavish and enjoyable lifestyle. Photo by: Chris Condon/PGA TOURPhoto by: Chris Condon/PGA TOUR, Fuzzy Zoeller in action during the final round of the Champion's Tour 2007 AT&T Champions Classic at the Valencia Country Club in Santa Clarita, California on March 18, 2007. Its been 45 years into their marriage life and there hasn't been any news of affairs or controversies in their marriage life.