Ted Makalena

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

Ted Makalena
Personal information
Full nameTheodore Makalena
Born(1934-06-14)June 14, 1934
Hawaii, U.S.
DiedSeptember 13, 1968(1968-09-13) (aged 34)
Hawaii, U.S.
Nationality United States
Career
StatusProfessional
Former tour(s)PGA Tour
Professional wins1
Number of wins by tour
PGA Tour1
Best results in major championships
Masters TournamentDNP
PGA ChampionshipDNP
U.S. OpenT23: 1964
The Open ChampionshipDNP

Makalena was born and raised in Hawaii, where he attended St. Louis High School in Honolulu.[1] He started out as a caddie at the age of 8[2] 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.[1] He was the first Hawaiian born golfer 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.[2]

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.[2] Governor John Burns designated September 28, 1968 as Ted Makalena Day.[3] After winning the 1968 Hawaiian Open, Lee Trevino turned over $10,000 of his winner's check to a trust fund honoring Makalena.[4]

A golf facility in Waipahu that borders Pearl Harbor is named for him.[2] He is interred at Diamond Head Memorial Park in Honolulu.

PGA Tour wins
No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin of victoryRunners-up
1 Oct 30, 1966 Hawaiian Open −17 (66-71-66-68=271) 3 strokes Gay Brewer, Billy Casper

Team appearances

References
  1. "Biographical information from Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame and Cybermuseum". Retrieved 2007-09-09.
  2. "History of the Sony Open in Hawaii". Retrieved 2007-09-09.
  3. "The history of September 13 - The Honolulu Advertiser". Retrieved 2007-09-09.
  4. Lee Trevino starts fund for pal's son
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