Class of 2025

Ed Furgol

Hometown: New York Mills, N.Y.
Residence: Miami Shores, F.L.
Deceased (1917-1997)

Ed Furgol’s improbable journey to golf’s grandest stages is a story defined by perseverance, determination, and sheer will. At just 12 years old, a playground accident left him with a severely damaged left arm 10 inches shorter than his right, and limited mobility in his hand. Through relentless rehabilitation, he strengthened his grip by squeezing coins and rubber balls, practiced tirelessly, and learned to adapt his swing around his physical challenges.

He learned golf as a caddy on the public courses of Utica, where he made money to support his Polish immigrant parents and four sisters and brothers during the Great Depression years. 

Furgol’s dedication paid off quickly. He made his competitive debut at 17-years-old and became a two-time Utica City Champion (1939, 1940), establishing himself as one of the region’s top amateurs. In 1939, he also earned qualifying medalist honors in the U.S. Public Links Championship, where he set a scoring record at 138. In 1945 he captured the North-South Amateur Championship, defeating legendary amateur Frank Stranahan in the final.

Turning professional shortly before the end of World War II, in June of 1945, Furgol carved out an impressive career against the best players of his era. He won 11 professional titles. His first win at the 1947 Bing Crosby Pro-Am was the first time the iconic championship was held at Pebble Beach. This victory would be Furgol’s lone professional accolade until he emerged victorious at the 1954 Phoenix Open, which kickstarted a career year.  

Then came the defining moment of his career, a triumph in the 1954 U.S. Open at Baltusrol, which was the first time the championship was nationally televised.

Furgol was 37 years old at the time and entered the tournament with only two wins on the PGA Tour. He didn't break 70 for any of his four rounds, but he was very consistent with scores of 71-70-71-72. Furgol's 71 in Round 3 sent him into the lead by one stroke over Dick Mayer. Gene Littler, in his rookie year, was among the golfers in third place, three behind Furgol.

The tournament came down to how Furgol, Mayer and Littler played the final hole. Furgol drove it into the trees from the 18th tee and then intentionally hit his second stroke onto the wrong golf course. The tournament was on Baltusrol's Lower Course, Furgol played out of the trees onto the 18th fairway of the club's Upper Course. From there, he knocked his third stroke onto the green and parred out.

Littler reached the last hole needing a birdie to tie Furgol's 284, but hit into a greenside bunker, then missed an 8-foot birdie attempt. Mayer needed par to force a playoff, but double-bogeyed that final hole. Furgol wound up beating Littler by one.

That year, he was named PGA Player of the Year and went on to represent the United States at the 1955 Canada Cup — where he won both the team and individual titles — and the 1957 Ryder Cup.

Furgol also won the 1956 Miller High Life Open, the 1956 Rubber City Open, and the 1957 Agua Caliente Open. He played in 207 tournaments from the summer of 1945 to 1954.

Over the course of his career, Furgol competed in 21 U.S. Opens, 16 Masters, 13 PGA Championships, and a British Open. He later joined the PGA Senior Tour.

In acknowledgement of his remarkable career, he is also enshrined in the Greater Utica Sports Hall of Fame, the MET PGA Hall of Fame, and the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame.

Career Highlights

  • Left arm was 10 inches shorter than his right due to a boyhood fall from playground equipment and an unsuccessful surgery.

  • 2x winner of Utica City Championship (1939, 1940)

  • 1945 North-South Amateur Champion

  • Qualifying Medalist, 1940 U.S. Public Links Championship

  • Won 11 professional tournaments

  • 6x winner on PGA Tour

    • 1947 Bing Crosby Pro-Am

    • 1954 Phoenix Open

    • 1954 US Open

    • 1956 Miller High Life Open

    • 1956 Rubber City Open

    • 1957 Agua Caliente Open

  • Played PGA Senior Tour

  • 1954 PGA Player of the Year

  • Played Ryder Cup (1957)

  • Canada Cup (1955; individual and team winner)

  • Played in 21 U.S. Opens, 16 Masters Tournaments, 13 PGA Championships, and one British Open

  • Member of the Greater Utica Sports Hall of Fame (click here)

  • Member of the METPGA Hall of Fame (click here)

  • Member of the Michigan Golf Hall of Fame (click here)

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