Ted Makalena

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Theodore "Ted" Makalena (June 14, 1934 – September 13, 1968) was an American professional golfer who played in the 1960s.

Makalena was born and raised in Hawaii, where he attended St. Louis High School in Honolulu. He started out as a caddy at the age of 8 and eventually worked to become a club professional.[1]

Makalena's only win in an official PGA Tour event came on October 30, 1966, when he won the Hawaiian Open by defeating veteran tour professionals Billy Casper and Gay Brewer. His record breaking score of 271 for 72 holes stood for many years. He was the first native born Hawaiian to win this event, and one of only two to have ever won it (the other being David Ishii in 1990). Makalena's victory in this event made him a very popular figure in Hawaii.

Two years after his win in the Hawaiian Open, Makalena died at the age of 34 less than five days after being injured in a swimming accident in Waikiki. Governor John Burns designated September 28, 1968 as Ted Makalema Day.[2] A golf facility in Waipahu that borders Pearl Harbor is named for him.[3]

[edit] PGA Tour wins

[edit] References

  1. ^ Biographical information from Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame and Cybermuseum (last accessed September 9, 2007)
  2. ^ The history of September 13 - The Honolulu Advertiser (last accessed September 9, 2007)
  3. ^ History of the Sony Open in Hawaii (last accessed September 9, 2007)