Charles Coe

Any sports fan knows professional golfers, the better ones at least, make a good bit of money playing in tournaments. Amateurs on the other hand, may claim a trophy, a supply of golf balls or a new golf bag for their winnings.

One of Oklahoma's greatest golfers spent many years of his life proving once again there is always an exception to the rule. Charlie Coe, the 1949, '58 and '59 U.S. Amateur Champion, has said golfers should consider playing in the amateur ranks on a permanent basis for one basic reason—bypassing potential winnings in the pros in exchange for opportunities.

"An amateur plays for honor and personal satisfaction", Coe said in a 1984 Daily Oklahoman interview. "A professional likes the honor and what not, but the main thing he's after is a living. He's playing for the money. Amateurs have an outside industry of some nature."

"If an amateur golfer is successful, you get to know people around your state and around the country. There are a lot of opportunities." Coe, originally from Ardmore, spoke from experience. He had plenty of opportunities and made lots of acquaintances in the amateur golf ranks.

Through a career which began in high school at Ardmore, then through the University of Oklahoma, Coe went on to win the three U.S. Amateur titles mentioned above and four Trans-Mississippi Golf Association tournaments in 1947, '49, '52 and '56. He was on the U.S. Walker Cup team seven times and played on the America's Cup team six times. He was the low amateur in the 1958 U.S. Open.

Three times, Coe was the low amateur in the famed Masters Tournament at Augusta, GA. In fact, he was the last amateur to seriously threaten to win the prestigious event. In 1961, he "lipped" a 25-foot putt on the No. 18 hole which would have forced Gary Player into a playoff.

As a result of that narrow miss, Coe ended the tournament in a tie for second place—with a guy named Arnold Palmer.

Coe has always said the miss never really bothered him. He just goes on with a highly successful and satisfying life of many accomplishments. He manages his oil business and continues to play golf on a non-competitive basis.

His 59 is a course record at the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club and playing partners claim he still swings a wicked stroke. Happy with the achievements of a lifetime of playing, Coe quit competing in 1970.

Charlie Coe has golfed his way into the hearts of his fellow Oklahomans and into the sports history of our state. His contributions to our sports heritage have earned him his rightful place among the sports greats in the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame.