Mike Turnesa

Mike Turnesa
Turnesa, circa 1942
Personal information
Full nameMichael C. Turnesa
Born(1907-06-09)June 9, 1907
Elmsford, New York
DiedOctober 31, 2000(2000-10-31) (aged 93)
Sleepy Hollow, New York
Sporting nationality United States
Career
StatusProfessional
Former tour(s)PGA Tour
Professional wins9
Number of wins by tour
PGA Tour6
Best results in major championships
Masters TournamentT25: 1935
PGA Championship2nd: 1948
U.S. OpenT26: 1946
The Open ChampionshipDNP

Michael C. Turnesa (June 9, 1907 – October 31, 2000) was one of seven golfing brothers: Phil (1896–1987), Frank (1898–1949), Joe (1901–1991), Mike (1907–2000), Doug (1909–1972), Jim (1912–1971), and Willie (1914–2001). All but Willie turned professional.[1] The family was referred to as a "golf dynasty" in a 2000 New York Times article.[2]

Turnesa's first job in golf came in the pro shop at the Metropolis Country Club. He then became assistant professional at Innwood in the late 1920s before being named "playing professional" representing Fairview in 1931. All told, Mike played on PGA Tour for 18 years, winning six times,[3] before settling down at Knollwood Country Club. He won the 1933 and 1941 Westchester Opens, and the 1949 Metropolitan PGA at Ardsley, but is better known for having finished second to Ben Hogan in both the 1948 PGA Championship and the 1942 Hale America Tournament, the war-time substitute for the U.S. Open. Mike also played in the inaugural Masters Tournament in 1934 along with brother Joe.[1]

Turnesa's grandson, Marc Turnesa, has won on the Nationwide Tour and the PGA Tour.[4]

  1. ^ a b "Biographical information from Knollwood Country Club". Archived from the original on September 29, 2007.
  2. ^ Kilgannon, Corey (December 3, 2000). "Recalling a Golf Dynasty: Elmsford's Turnesa Family". The New York Times. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  3. ^ "Miscellaneous PGA Tour records (wins by brothers)". PGA Tour. Archived from the original on December 25, 2005.
  4. ^ Bush, John (October 28, 2007). "Turnesa hangs on in Miami, earns 2008 Tour card". PGA Tour. Retrieved October 25, 2013.