Forrest Fezler, a PGA Tour winner and golf course designer/builderwho once protested the USGA by wearing shorts in a U.S. Open, died Friday morning in Tallahassee, Fla., at age 69. He had been battling cancer, according to his son Jordan. (GolfDigest first reported the news of Fezler's death.)Fezler, nicknamed "Fuzzy,"was born Sept. 23, 1949, in Hayward, Calif. He played college golf at San Jose City College and won the Cal State Amateur in 1969. He was named the Tours rookie of the year in 1973 and a year later won the 1974 Southern Open, his only Tour win.He also tied for second behind Hale Irwin at the 1974 U.S. Open, also known as the Massacre at Winged Foot, though his most memorable major moment for many came at the 1983 U.S. Open at Oakmont.Fezler, unhappy with the USGA after it gave him and playing competitor John Schroeder and then rescinded a slow-play at the 1981 U.S. Open at Merion, changed into shorts in a portable toilet before playing his 72nd hole in protest.All of a sudden you see people coming from other golf holes and by the time I got to the fairway, the grandstand was full and people were yelling and screaming, Go, Fuzz, Go Fuzz, said Fezler in a Denver Post interview in 2014.Later in his life, Fezler met Brooks Koepka in Tallahassee, and Koepka, a former FSU standout and now a three-time major winner, instantly recognized Fezler as "the guy who wore shorts."
Fezler retired from the Tour shortly after, in his mid-30s, because of wrist and thumb injuries, and turned his focus to golf course design and construction, starting his own company, Fezler Golf, and quickly developing a reputation for boldness and creativity.He partnered with well-known designer Mike Strantz, one of Tom Fazios design associate who died in 2005 from cancer. Fezlers first project with Strantz was Golden Eagle Golf Club in Tallahassee.He was hooked after that, Fezler once said. He also helped build courses with several Tour players, including Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, Johnny Miller and Davis Love III.Fezlers projects include Monterey Peninsula Country Clubs Shore Course, PGA Nationals Palmer Course, True Blue Golf Club, Bulls Bay, Valley Country Club and Tobacco Road.Being a part of designing and building great courses throughout the country was more inspiring to me than playing the Tour, Fezler wrote on his website. Felt like I was living another dream.It was also a career where he was allowed to wear shorts.When the PGA of America began allowing players to wear shorts in practice rounds in 2017, Fezler commented, Well, its about time. Way to go PGA of America.I guess it does pay off to do something crazy once in your life, Fezler said. At least golfers remember me for something.Later, Fezler met Brooks Koepka in Tallahassee, and Koepka, a former FSU player and now a big winner three times, immediately recognized Fezler as "the guy wearing shorts." Fezler retired shortly thereafter, in the mid-30s, due to wrist and thumb injuries, and focused on designing and building golf courses, starting his own company, the
The recent debate about whether professional golfers should be allowed to wear shorts might go nowhere, but one man more than most was thrilled the topic came up. Forrest Fezler, now 66, is a
Fezler, 69, is not just 'guy wearing shorts' - Deer Pass Golf
Fezler, 69, was more than just 'the guy who wore shorts' "Being a part of designing and building great courses throughout the country was more inspiring to me than playing the Tour
Fezler, 69, was more than just 'the guy who wore shorts'
Fezler, 69, was more than just 'the guy who wore shorts' EMPEZARUNBLIG - March 6, 2019 - Golf Forrest Fezler, a PGA Tour winner and golf course designer/builder who once protested the USGA by wearing shorts in a U.S. Open, died Friday morning in Tallahassee, Fla., at age 69.
Fezler, 69, was more than just 'the guy who wore shorts
Forrest Fezler, a PGA Tour winner and golf course designer/builder who once protested the USGA by wearing shorts in a U.S. Open, died Friday morning in Tallahassee, Fla., at age 69. He had been battling cancer, according to his son Jordan. (Golf Digest first reported the news of Fezler's death.)
Forrest Fezler, 69, was more than just 'the guy who wore
paynesvalleygolfclub.com/forrest-fezler-69-was-more-than-just-the-guy-who-wore-shorts/
Forrest Fezler, 69, was more than just 'the guy who wore shorts' Forrest Fezler, a PGA Tour winner and golf course designer/builder who once protested the USGA by wearing shorts in a U.S. Open, died Friday morning in Tallahassee, Fla., at age 69.
Fezler, 69, was more than just 'the guy who wore shorts
Fezler, 69, was more than just 'the guy who wore shorts' Forrest Fezler, a PGA Tour winner and golf course designer/builder who once protested the USGA by wearing shorts in a U.S. Open, died
Fezler, 69, was more than just 'the guy who wore shorts
Forrest Fezler, 69, was more than just 'the guy who wore
Fezler, 69, was more than just 'the guy who wore shorts' Source: The Golf Channel Forrest Fezler, a PGA Tour winner and golf course designer/builder who once protested the USGA by wearing shorts in a U.S. Open, died Friday morning in Tallahassee, Fla., at age 69.
Fezler, 69, was more than just 'the guy who wore shorts
shaftandball.com/fezler-69-was-more-than-just-the-guy-who-wore-shorts/
Later in his life, Fezler met Brooks Koepka in Tallahassee, and Koepka, a former FSU standout and now a three-time major winner, instantly recognized Fezler as "the guy who wore shorts." Fezler retired from the Tour shortly after, in his mid-30s, because of wrist and thumb injuries, and turned his focus to golf course design and
Fezler, 69, was more than just 'the guy who wore shorts'
Fezler, 69, was more than just 'the guy who wore shorts'Source: Golf ChannelPublished on 2018-12-21
Forrest Fezler wore shorts in '83 U.S. Open, is thrilled
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