ROBERTO de VICENZO [Golfer Obituary]

Born 14th April 1923

Died 1st June 2017

Argentinian golfer Roberto de Vicenzo who has died aged 94 was one of the world’s top players of the twentieth century. In a competitive career which spanned over fifty years he won more than 230 tournaments worldwide including many national titles, the highlight being his Open success in 1967 at Hoylake. But for a scorecard blunder the following year at the Masters, he would have qualified for a play off against winner Bob Goalby for the chance of adding a second Major to his laurels. He also excelled in Seniors’ golf winning the World Seniors’ Matchplay in 1974 and the U.S. Seniors’ Open in 1980. With compatriot Tony Cerda he won the inaugural World Cup [ then the Canada Cup] in 1953 representing Argentina and later twice won the individual title in that competition in which he participated nineteen times. Elected to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1989 he was also appointed an honorary member of the R&A while in Argentina he was voted one of his country’s top five sportspeople of the twentieth century along with racing driver Fangio,boxer Monzon,tennis player Vilas and footballer Maradona. He was an immensely popular figure especially with British crowds thanks to his modest and amiable demeanour and is rightly credited with paving the way for many South American golfers to make their way on to the world stage.

Commentators considered him a complete player who was a lovely striker of the ball as well as being a long hitter- according to one description “he whacks the ball a country mile.” That ability, complemented by his unruffled temperament, made him a formidable opponent . Perseverance was one of the keys to his success in the Open as he won it at his 19th attempt having previously achieved six top three finishes. In his debut in 1948 in only his second tournament in Britain, he tied for third but the ultimate prize eluded him till 1967 when he saw off defending champion Jack Nicklaus and Gary Player. His shot of the tournament was his pinpoint accurate 240 yard three wood on to the green of the par 5 16th hole in the final round to notch an important birdie. Aged 44 he became the oldest Open winner of modern times.

The next year his hopes of becoming then oldest winner of the Masters on his 45th birthday were dashed when he signed his card for the wrong score, 66, recording a 4 for the penultimate hole instead of birdie 3 for a 65. The final round had begun so well with an eagle at the first to the crowd singing ‘Happy Birthday Roberto!’ But at the end his playing partner Tommy Aaron erroneously attributed him a 4 at the 17th instead of a 3 which de Vicenzo failed to spot before signing his card. Although thousands present and millions watching TV saw it was a 3 the rules of golf meant his card had to stand as submitted. He endeared himself to many when he spontaneously exclaimed in the aftermath “ What a stupid I am” in his fractured English and for the dignified manner in which he accepted crushing disappointment.

However privately it rankled with him for years and initially caused some tension with Goalby who received hatemail in the wake of the incident although he was blameless. De Vicenzo reacted in the most positive way by winning a tournament in Houston two weeks later for his then biggest purse.

In all, he recorded one top 10 finish in the U.S. Open, three in the Masters, two in the P.G.A. while his national Open titles included France[3], Germany, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium, Brazil[5], Chile, Uruguay, Colombia, Mexico, Panama, Jamaica and Argentina [9].

Poverty and tragic family circumstances shaped his life. Born in a Buenos Aires suburb to Elias a painter by trade whose parents were Genoese immigrants and his wife Rosa, he had seven brothers[four also became golf pros.] and a sister. His mother died in childbirth when he was 10 resulting in his having to help in the upbringing of his siblings in straitened circumstances and work part time as a caddy’s assistant at the nearby Miguelete golf course. His first duties were as a ‘lagunero’, literally ‘pond boy’, having to retrieve errant balls from water hazards. His promise first came to the fore in beating fellow caddies in impromptu matches in which all types of gamesmanship such as shouting at your opponent were permissible, doubtless laying the foundations for his unflappable temperament. As a youngster he also dabbled in football and boxing but settled on golf as he was determined to escape the poverty surrounding him. As a sport he also preferred it as he later commented,” It is played in a pleasant atmosphere, it is non conflictive. You only have yourself to blame if you play badly.”

Aged 15 he secured a post as an assistant professional and made his debut that year in the ‘Open of the Republic.’ Four years later he won his first tournament,the ‘Open of The Coast’ in Rosario, his springboard for a lifetime of honours. After service in the navy he took up a professional appointment in Rosario and in 1946 married Delia Castex with whom he had two sons, Roberto and Eduardo. From the early 1960’s onward he and his family lived in the Buenos Aires suburb of Ranelagh where he was closely associated with the local golf club. He is survived by his wife, sons and several grandchildren. JACK DAVIDSON