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Torakichi Nakamura

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Torakichi Nakamura
Personal information
NicknamePete, Tora-san
Born(1915-09-17)17 September 1915
Yokohama, Japan
Died11 February 2008(2008-02-11) (aged 92)
Height1.58 m (5 ft 2 in)
Weight65 kg (143 lb; 10.2 st)
Sporting nationality Japan
Career
StatusProfessional
Former tour(s)Japan Golf Tour
Professional wins24
Best results in major championships
Masters Tournament41st: 1958
PGA ChampionshipDNP
U.S. OpenDNP
The Open ChampionshipDNP

Torakichi Nakamura (中村 寅吉, Nakamura Torakichi, 17 September 1915 – 11 February 2008)[1] was a Japanese golfer whose victory, with partner Koichi Ono, at the 1957 Canada Cup outside Tokyo helped to spur a boom in golf in Japan.

Nakamura, also known as "Pete", "Tora-san," and "the Putting God",[2] was born in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture[1] and became a caddie at the age of 14. He became a professional golfer at the age of 20. He won the Japan Open in 1952, and won it twice more in his career, and was the first Japanese player to play in the Masters Tournament, in 1958.[3]

In 1957, Nakamura and Ono teamed up to win the Canada Cup over a field which included Sam Snead and Gary Player. Nakamura also won the individual championship, at Kasumigaseki Country Club in Saitama Prefecture.[2]

In 1974, Nakamura became President of the Japanese Ladies' Professional Golf Association.[2] He was a mentor and teacher to Hisako Higuchi, the current JLPGA chairwoman and a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.[3]

Tournament wins

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this list is probably incomplete

Team appearances

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Torakichi Nakamura, 92, Golf Pioneer, Is Dead". The New York Times. Agence France-Presse. 14 February 2008. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Japanese golf legend Torakichi Nakamura dies at 92
  3. ^ a b On The Fairway: Pioneer's passing not end of era
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