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Hall of Famers

Hall of Famer

GEORGE KNUDSON

Inducted in 1969

Member Details

Date of Birth: June 28, 1937
Place of Birth: Winnipeg, Manitoba
Date of Passing: January 24, 1989
Sport: Golf
Member Category: Athlete

Career Highlights

1955

National Junior Title

1961-72

Eight PGA Titles

Five CPGA Titles

1966

Low Individual Score at World Cup

1968

World Cup Title with Al Balding

1985

Inducted into RCGA Hall of Fame

1999

Named CPGA Golfer of the 20th Century

Hall of Famer GEORGE KNUDSON
Sport

Story

George Knudson was a perfectionist. With flawless form and carefully calculated technique, he dominated the green throughout the 1960s. His brilliant performance put Canada on the international golfing map, and his astounding winning record earned him the title of the CPGA's golfer of the 20th Century. A native of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Knudson won his province's junior title in both 1954 and 1955. He went on to claim the 1955 national junior title and turned professional in 1958. Knudson quickly carved out a place for himself and his country in the world of professional golf when he joined the PGA tour in 1961, claiming his first victory at the Coral Gables Open in his first year on the tour. In his eleven years on the professional tour, Knudson won eight tournaments, the most ever achieved by a Canadian, and double that of his nearest competitor until Mike Weir came along. Knudson won the CPGA five times and tied for second place in the 1969 Masters, just one shot behind U.S. champion George Archer. In World Cup events, Knudson claimed the low individual scoring title in 1966 and won the Cup with partner Al Balding in 1968. Knudson, the "King of Swing," was widely known for his perfect stroke. Golf consultant Dick Grimm remarked that, "he would bring the club into the ball with the same consistency every time, like a machine." It is often said that if he had spent as much time perfecting his putting as he did his swing, Knudson could have greatly increased his already hefty victory purse. A proficient teacher, Knudson co-wrote The Natural Golf Swing, produced a video entitled The Swing Motion, and made significant contributions to the Canadian Professional Golf Association's teaching manual. Unfortunately, his career came to abrupt close when he succumbed to lung cancer in 1989. For his legendary feats and significant contribution to Canadian golf, Knudson was inducted into the Royal Canadian Golf Association's Hall of Fame in 1985, and was named to the Order of Canada in 1989.