Ken Venturi

photo credit: linein   Ken Venturi was born in San Francisco, California.  He gained national attention as an amateur in 1956 by coming in second in The Masters.   After leading since the first round he collapsed with a four shot lead.  Venturi, a pupil of Byron Nelson and playing partner with Ben Hogan,  won fourteen PGA Tour events.

After receiving injuries in a car accident in 1961, Venturi made a tremendous comeback culminating in his win at the U.S. Open Championship in 1964.  He started his broadcasting career with CBS Sports in 1967, which continued for 35 years.  A reporter once asked Venturi what made good sports commentary?  “Silence” Venturi said, “there is too much talking by commentators in today’s game, the action speaks for itself.”