Tracy Moore Wins 1965 National Championship Indianapolis, IN - August 6-7-8, 1965 - Genial, smiling Tracy Moore, one of the most popular Pros competing on the summer circuit of the Professional Putters Association, swept to victory in the $25,000 National Championship Tournament here August 6-7-8, 1965. Winners' Circle ... Pictured above (L. to R.) are Amateur title winner, 16 year old Gil Caito of Indianapolis; America's Putting Queen, Jeanne Ann Ertel; course owner in Indianapolis, Jocko Dively; and 1965 National Champ, Tracy Moore, Augusta, GA. The Championship tournament is co-sponsored by the PPA and the Pepsi-Cola Company of America. The deadly consistent Moore, 32-year-old insurance man from Augusta, GA, beat off the challenges of two fellow Georgians, Herman Strickland of Macon and Ralph Sapp of Augusta, to win the title and first place prize money of $4,000 in the three-day, 216 hole competition. Crowd Pleaser ... On his final hole of the tournament and just one stroke down from leader Tracy Moore, Ralph Sapp gives the large gallery a final thrill. Was the putt good? The expression on Sapp's face, along with some of the gallery should give an indication. The putt barely inched by the cup and the Georgia Pro had to settle for a par two. The miss cost him $1,600. Three shots off the pace going into the final day of play on owner Jocko Dively's 72-hole Putt-Putt Course located here on Arlington Avenue, the steady stroking Moore charged from behind on the 12th and final 18-hole round of putting's blue ribbon classic to capture his first major PPA tournament. Strickland was the opening day leader with a 112 total for 72 holes. Moore was four behind. Sapp, who was tied with Glenn Garvin shot himself out of it when he could do no better than 34 on his first 18-hole round on the final day. Sapp's 29 put him three ahead of Strickland and four ahead of Moore. Then Sapp turned in a second round 34 and Moore (with a 29) and Strickland (with a 30) tied for the lead at 299, one in front of Sapp. Young but good ... Gil Caito of Indy. walked off from the rest of the amateur field and even out did the best Pro score by one stroke. His 361 was tops for the tournament. Sapp's third round 30 regained the advantage at 330, giving him a one-stroke lead on Strickland and two on Moore. Then, Moore, the father of 3 daughters, including seven-year-old twins, uncorked a fourth and final round 30, six-under par, while Strickland had a 32 and Sapp a 33. Moore's 362 total, 70 under par, won by a single stroke, left Strickland and Sapp each with runner-up checks for $2,400. Moore went to the final hole of the tournament with a two-stroke lead, and took a bogey three. Strickland or Sapp could have caught him with an ace and necessitated an 18-hole playoff but each had to settle for par twos. The last two rounds were played on soggy putting surfaces since rain held up play for 40 minutes once and later for 20 minutes. Moore also was voted the Sportsmanship Trophy by the PPA Pro Players Committee for his cooperative efforts, genial manner, and good sportsmanship on the 1965 tour. The hottest player in the tournament, which attracted 193 entrants from 20 states, was Gilbert Caito, 16-year-old Brebeuf High School junior from Indianapolis who won the amateur championship. Playing on his home course, he turned in a 216 hole total of 361, one better than Moore, and walked off with the huge amateur trophy. Indiana and Georgia each had 31 contestants as 155 pros and 37 amateurs competed.

Professional Division of the 1965 National Championship
(Indianapolis, IN - Purse $25,000)

Remainder of the field cut after second day.

All scores and text were taken from the Putt-Putt World (September, 1965)

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