JACKSON, Mich. (AP) - Dave Hill, a 13-time winner on the PGA Tour who made three Ryder Cup appearances and won the 1969 Vardon Trophy for the tour's lowest scoring average, has died. He was 74.
Hill died Tuesday in Jackson. He suffered from emphysema for several years, brother Mike Hill - also a former PGA Tour player - told the Jackson (Mich.) Citizen Patriot.
Hill finished second in the 1970 U.S. Open at Hazeltine in Minnesota, making headlines for saying the course "lacked only 80 acres of corn and a few cows to be a good farm" and that architect Robert Trent Jones "had the blueprints upside down."
"What he said about Hazeltine was the absolute, honest to God truth," Mike Hill said. "Players like Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player sat in the locker room and laughed. They knew it was true, but because of them not wanting to be involved, they would never say it. He was opinionated and stubborn. If he felt he was seeing things t hat weren't right, he always spoke out. He used to say, if you don't like the answer, you shouldn't ask the question."
In 1969, Hill won three tournaments, finished second on the money list and earned his first Ryder Cup appearance in addition to taking the Vardon Trophy with a 70.34 scoring average.
"Having the best stroke average was the thing that gave him the most satisfaction," Mike Hill said. "His biggest disappointment was not winning the U.S. Open like he felt he should have."
Hill also won six times on the Champions Tour.
"He is Jackson golf, as far as I'm concerned," said Ron Beurmann, golf professional at the Country Club of Jackson. "You go anywhere in my world and tell somebody you're from Jackson, and nine of 10 people will ask you, 'Isn't that where Dave and Mike Hill are from?'"
Hill is survived by son David and daughter Laura.
Services are scheduled Sunday at Clark Lake Golf Course.
Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press
Dave was wonderful to me when I played in my first Colorado Opens at Hiwan CC. He took me, a young player, under his wing and generously showed me the ins and outs of Hiwan. I will never forget Dave's kindness and great sense of humor. He was a really good guy.
Kipp
August 29, 2016 | Estes Park, CO
Our condolences
to DAVE HILL&FAMILY
Golfing is a valued
Sports time venue
He will be missed
rip`~DAVE~
Victoria&Andrew
October 02, 2011 | USA`England
Mike Hill and family,
My deepest sympathy
Chuck Taft, formerly of Ram Golf
October 02, 2011
Dave Hill--back in the GHO days Hartford CT, 1969
steve tantillo
October 01, 2011
Very sorry to hear about Mr Hill, he was the first professional player I watched at a tour event--1969 GHO -Hartford CT...brings back nice memories of my early golf. Steve Tantillo, CT
Steve Tantillo
October 01, 2011 | Stafford, CT
He was a golfer that I always enjoyed following in person, in the paper and on TV. He may be gone, but he will not be forgotten. May all of his rounds be forever under par.
Michael Tucker
September 30, 2011 | Winter Springs, FL
I remember back in the 1970s Dave wrote a weekly golf tip that appeared in our local paper. I've never forgotten how he said to play uneven lies, and I've never had any trouble with those shots since. Thanks, Dave!
Also, Dave was the first player I ever saw chip with a fairway wood (a Cobra Baffler). People credit Tiger Woods with inventing that shot, and while I don't know if Dave invented it he was doing it long before Tiger was on Tour.
My condolences to Mike and the family....
Steve Huckleby
September 30, 2011 | Addyston, OH
May it comfort you to know that God, as well as others, care about your feelings at this time,
SLB, Michigan
September 30, 2011
All golf writers that covered Dave's career should donate money to Dave's favorite charity as he made their job easy by giving them so many colorful quotes. He and Mike are not going to be forgotten for a very loooooong time..My thoughts are with his family and friends today..
September 30, 2011