Billy Casper honored at Kohler Memorial Theatre

PGA of America officials, local dignitaries, and guests filled Kohler Memorial Theatre on the evening of August 11 to honor golfer Billy Casper as he received the PGA of America’s highest annual honor, the PGA Distinguished Service Award.

Casper, 78, has been described as one of the most underrated golfers ever. Born in San Diego, California on June 24 , 1931, Casper was teased in the first grade because of his weight. He said he overcame the hurt by outrunning every kid in the class, and athletics became his way of performing and being accepted.

Casper was introduced to the game of golf by his father at age 4-1/2 and began caddying at 11. Assisted by his father and uncle, the junior golfer would practice his game making use of three golf holes that they built in a cow pasture on his grandfather’s ranch in New Mexico. Casper attended the University of Notre Dame on a golf scholarship in 1950 before enlisting in the U.S. Navy. He served until June 1955 and played on the Navy’s golf team.

Casper turned professional in 1954, and went on to win three major championships and 51 PGA Tour titles. Between 1964 and 1970, Casper won more tournaments on the PGA tour than Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player did during that time period. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1978. He ranks No. 7 on the all-time PGA Tour victory list.

Casper and his wife, Shirley, live in Springville, Utah. They have eleven children (six of them adopted); as well as 38 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Casper remains active participating in dozens of charity and corporate events; giving lectures on several worldwide cruise lines; and is an active member of the Church of Latter Day Saints. His Billy Casper Golf company owns and operates nearly 120 golf courses, representing the second largest domestic portfolio. (See more of Billy Casper’s biography at PGA.com).

Local dignitaries attending the event included Herbert V. Kohler, Jr., president and CEO of the Kohler Co., City of Sheboygan Mayor Bob Ryan, Sheboygan County Administrator Adam Payne, Kohler Village Board President Steve Reinbacher, and other guests.

The evening began with an impressive performance of the National Anthem sung by Clark Luis, rules interpreter for the PGA Tour, followed by a high energy performance of theme music from the Big Bands of the 1940s to hits by Beyoncé and Black Eyed Peas performed by NRG Music and Productions. The audience was then presented with a biographical multimedia presentation of Billy Casper’s life and history, followed by the award presentation by PGA of America President Jim Remy. Casper received congratulatory messages from United States President Barack Obama, and former President George H.W. Bush among others.

After the ceremony, guests were invited to walk along a corridor of lighted paper lanterns on School Street from Kohler Memorial Theatre to The American Club for a reception in Billy Casper’s honor. Shrimp, salmon and rice dishes where served alongside “Pigs in a blanket” featuring miniature versions of Sheboygan’s famous bratwurst, and gourmet toasted grilled cheese sandwiches. KOHLER Original Recipe Chocolates were served for dessert, along with gourmet cookies and other finger food desserts.

During the 2004 PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, the PGA Distinguished Service Award ceremony was held in Milwaukee due to lack of air conditioning in Kohler Memorial Theatre. That was remedied this past spring after Kohler Co., the Village of Kohler and Kohler Public Schools reached an agreement to split the costs of installation and operation of air conditioning. A bid by Aldag Honold Mechanical, Inc. was accepted and installation was completed in time for the 92nd PGA Championship at Whistling Straits, which began with practice rounds on August 9, 2010.

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