John Paul Cain
FullnameJohn Paul Cain
Birth dateJanuary 14, 1936
Birth placeSweetwater, Texas, U.S.
Death dateMarch 20, 2017 (aged 81)
Death placeAbilene, Texas, U.S.
SpouseCarol Cain
CollegeTexas Tech University
Yearpro1988
ExtourChampions Tour
Prowins2
Champwins2

John Paul Cain (January 14, 1936 – March 20, 2017[1]) was an American professional golfer who played on the Senior PGA Tour.

Early life and amateur career

Cain was born and raised in Sweetwater, Texas. He attended Texas Tech University and was a member of the golf team from 1955–1956 and 1958–1959. He helped the Red Raiders win the last two Border Conference championships in 1955 and 1956. In 1959, Cain helped the team win the Southwest Conference championship and place fifth in the NCAA Championship.[2]

Professional career

Cain worked as a stockbroker in Houston until turning professional in 1988 at the age of 52. He won his first tournament a year later at the Greater Grand Rapids Open, becoming only the second Monday qualifier (after Larry Mowry) to win a Senior PGA Tour event.[3] In 1994, Cain, playing as a sponsor's exemption, earned his second Senior Tour title at the Ameritech Senior Open by one stroke over Jim Colbert and Simon Hobday, both of whom had also finished at T-2 the previous year.[4]

Awards and honors

Cain is a member of the Texas Golf Hall of Fame.[2][3]

Amateur wins (1)

  • 1959 Texas State Amateur

Professional wins (2)

Senior PGA Tour wins (2)

No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of
victory
Runners-up
1Jul 16, 1989Greater Grand Rapids Open−10 (69-68-66=203)1 strokeDave Hill, Charlie Sifford
2Jul 17, 1994Ameritech Senior Open−14 (66-67-69=202)1 strokeJim Colbert, Simon Hobday

Senior PGA Tour playoff record (0–1)

No.YearTournamentOpponentsResult
11996Bruno's Memorial ClassicJohn Bland, Kermit ZarleyBland won with bogey on third extra hole
Zarley eliminated by par on second hole

References

  1. ^ Williams, Don (March 24, 2017). "John Paul Cain, Tech golf great, PGA Senior player, dies at 81". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
  2. ^ "Biographical information from Texas Tech Red Raiders Athletic's Official Site". Archived from the original on April 1, 2009. Retrieved December 5, 2007.
  3. ^ "Qualifier Captures Seniors' Tournament". The New York Times. July 17, 1989. Retrieved December 5, 2007.
  4. ^ "The SBC Senior Open — A Brief History". GolfChicago.com. July 11, 2002. Retrieved December 5, 2007.