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Makalena won every golf tournament in Hawaii and fared equally well as a professional against the top golfers in the world. In 1963, he tied Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus for third place at the Canada Cup. At the age of 32, Makalena’s greatest opportunity arose on October 30, 1966, the final day of the PGA Hawaii Open, when he was 3 strokes up on colorful Doug Sanders. Makalena sank one putt after another and finished with a record breaking 271 for 72 holes, a record that would stand for many years. With his win of the tournament, Makalena received $8,500. Veteran professionals Gay Brewer, the defending champion, and Billy Casper tied for second place at 274 and received $4,125 apiece. In 1966, Makalena was the first non-regular or first year professional to win a sanctioned PGA tournament. |
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Historical Timeline: 1966, Supreme Court decides Miranda v. Arizona. |
Theodore
"Ted" Makalena, a St. Louis High School
graduate, played golf his entire life. He started as a
caddy and worked to become a club professional.