Wesley Ellis, Jr. (January 27, 1932 – June 4, 1984) was an American professional golfer. Ellis, Jr. who played on the PGA Tour in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.
Early life and amateur career Ellis was born in Kansas City, Missouri. He attended the University of Texas in Austin and was a member of the golf team from 1950–1952. Ellis won the Massingill Trophy in 1950, and was the individual medalist at the Southwest Conference Championship in 1952. He graduated in 1953 with a degree in zoology.
Professional career In 1954, he turned professional. He won three PGA Tour events. His first win came at the 1958 Canadian Open. He won by one stroke over Jay Hebert at the Mayfair Golf and Country Club in Edmonton, Alberta.Tournament history from Canadian Open's official site His last win came in 1965 at the San Diego Open Invitational in a playoff against golf legend Billy Casper. His victory in San Diego was unique in that Ellis used what is commonly known as a "cross-handed" putting grip; that is, as a right-handed golfer he kept his left hand below his right.
Ellis had four top-10 finishes in major championships: a T-9 at the 1956 U.S. Open, a T-8 at the 1966 U.S. Open, a 6th at the 1960 PGA Championship, and a T-5 at the 1961 PGA Championship.
Ellis, like many pro golfers of his generation, earned his living primarily as a club pro. For many years he was the head pro at the Westchester Country Club in Rye, New York and lived in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey.
Personal life In 1984, Eliis died of kidney disease at the age of 52 at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, New Jersey.Wes Ellis Jr., Leading Golfer In New Jersey Many Years He left behind his wife, Marian, and their four children - three daughters and a son.
Professional wins (15) PGA Tour wins (3) No.DateTournamentWinning scoreMargin ofvictoryRunner(s)-up1 Aug 23, 1958 Canadian Open −13 (67-69-65-66=267) 1 stroke Jay Hebert2 Feb 22, 1959 Texas Open Invitational −8 (66-71-72-67=276) 2 strokes Bill Johnston, Tom Nieporte3 Jan 17, 1965 San Diego Open Invitational −17 (66-65-71-65=267) Playoff Billy Casper
PGA Tour playoff record (1–1) No.YearTournamentOpponentResult11958West Palm Beach Open Invitational Pete CooperLost to birdie on first extra hole21965San Diego Open Invitational Billy CasperWon with birdie on first extra hole Source:
Other wins (12) 1957 Metropolitan Open 1961 New Jersey PGA Championship, Metropolitan Open 1962 New Jersey State Open, New Jersey PGA Championship 1963 New Jersey State Open, New Jersey PGA Championship, Metropolitan Open 1964 New Jersey PGA Championship 1968 Maracaibo Open Invitational, Westchester PGA Championship 1969 Westchester PGA Championship
Results in major championships Tournament195619571958195919601961196219631964196519661967196819691970Masters TournamentCUTCUTWDCUTT24T34T15T36T16CUTU.S. OpenT9CUTT43CUTT40T36CUTT24T8T12CUTCUTPGA ChampionshipT446T5T30T17CUTT1325CUT Note: Ellis never played in The Open Championship.
WD = withdrew CUT = missed the half-way cut "T" indicates a tie for a place
Summary Tournament Wins 2nd 3rd Top-5 Top-10 Top-25 Events Cuts madeMasters Tournament 0 0 0 0 0 3 10 5U.S. Open 0 0 0 0 2 4 12 7The Open Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0PGA Championship 0 0 0 1 2 5 9 7Totals 0 0 0 1 4 12 31 19 Most consecutive cuts made – 8 (1965 Masters – 1967 PGA) Longest streak of top-10s – 1 (four times)
References