Class of 2025

Wayne Levi

Hometown: Herkimer, N.Y.
Residence: Naples, F.L.

Wayne Levi grew up in Herkimer, where his talent revealed itself early. He first picked up the game at age 13 and won the 1970 New York State Scholastic Championship while at Herkimer High School, setting the stage for a career that would carry him to the pinnacle of the PGA Tour. 

At Oswego State, Levi was a two-time NCAA All-American before transferring to the University of South Florida to finish out his collegiate career. He also garnered top-ten finishes at the 1971 and 1972 NYS Men’s Amateur championships. 

Shortly after, Levi turned professional in 1973 and, after qualifying for the PGA Tour in 1977, wasted little time establishing himself amongst some of the best golfers in the world. His first professional victory came a year later in 1978, when he teamed with Bob Mann to win the Walt Disney World National Team Championship, announcing his arrival on Tour. Levi captured his first individual title at the 1979 Houston Open, earning him his first invitation to the Masters, propelled by a Woodlands Country Club course-record 63 in the opening round, previously held by Gary Player. 

Through the 1980s, Levi was a beacon of consistency. He added wins at the Pleasant Valley Classic (1980) and Hawaiian Open (1982), where he outlasted defending Masters champion Tom Watson and Arnold Palmer. 

His second win of the 1982 season came at the LaJet Classic before Levi won the Buick Open (1983) with a record-breaking 16-under 272 finish. The 1984 B.C. Open at En-Joie Golf Club was a particularly meaningful triumph, where he thrilled the local crowd with clutch birdies on the final two holes to secure victory in his home state.

The peak of Levi’s career came in 1990, a season in which he won four PGA Tour events — the BellSouth Classic, Centel Western Open, Canon Greater Hartford Open, and Canadian Open — and was honored as PGA Tour Player of the Year. That same year, he topped Greg Norman and Paul Azinger on the money list, earning more than $1 million for the season, firmly cementing his place among the game’s elite. The following year, he represented the United States as a member of the 1991 Ryder Cup team.

All told, Levi collected 12 PGA Tour victories and made an astounding 301 cuts in 309 starts. He later added two wins on the Champions Tour, capturing the 3M Classic in 2003 and the Constellation Energy Classic in 2004.

Career Highlights

  • High School (Herkimer) and College (Oswego State/University of South Florida)

    • 1970 NYS High School Champion

    • 2-time NCAA College Division First Team All-American at Oswego State

    • 6th place, 1972 NYS Men’s Amateur Championship

    • 9th place, 1971 NYS Men’s Amateur Championship

  • PGA Tour

    • Turned pro in 1973 and qualified for the PGA Tour in 1977

    • 12-time winner on the PGA Tour

      • 1978 Walt Disney World National Team Championship w/Bob Mann

      • 1979 Houston Open

      • 1980 Pleasant Valley Jimmy Fund Classic

      • 1982 Hawaiian Open

      • 1982 LaJet Classic

      • 1983 Buick Open

      • 1984 B.C. Open

      • 1985 Georgia-Pacific Atlanta Golf Classic

      • 1990 BellSouth Atlanta Golf Classic

      • 1990 Centel Western Open

      • 1990 Canon Greater Hartford Open

      • 1990 Canadian Open

    • 1990 PGA Tour Player of the Year

    • 1991 U.S. Ryder Cup Team Member

  • Champions Tour

    • Winner, 2003 3M Classic

    • Winner, 2004 Constellation Energy Classic

    • 301/309 Cuts Made

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