1999 PPA Hall of Fame Inductee
Tracy Moore
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Born: February 2, 1933 Birthplace: Augusta, GA Residence: Augusta, GA Occupation: Turned Professional: 1959 (Charter Member) Lifetime PPA Stroke Average: 31.88 PPA Career Money Winnings: $5,450.20 Major PPA Tour Victories: 1965 PPA National Championship, 1963 PPA Parade of Champions. |
Other PPA Tour Honors: 1999 PPA Hall of Fame Inductee, 1966 Tracy Moore Memorial Stroke Average Award named in his honor, 1965 PPA Player of the Year, 1965 PPA Sportsmanship Award, 1964 PPA Pros-Players Committee "If I don't win it now, I may never have another chance," Tracy Moore told his playing partner, Charlie Connor, as he stood on the 16th tee of the final round of the 1965 PPA National Championship at the Putt-Putt Golf Course in Indianapolis, Indiana. A 32-year old charter member of the Professional Putters Association and franchise owner from Augusta, Georgia, Tracy Moore had been diagnosed with terminal lung cancer six months earlier. "He knew he didn't have much time," says his widow, Jeanne Rayburn, recalling what stands as the most dramatic title run in PPA history. "He knew it would probably be his last chance to win the National Championship. It was very tense." A precision shot-maker, Tracy Moore scored holes-in-one at the 16th and 17th holes, then pared the 18th hole on the difficult layout to claim the second of his two PPA major crowns. The single victory established his legend in a short-lived career, but one that has endured throughout the sport's history. "He made the last putt and came off the 18th hole and hugged me," Jeanne Rayburn remembers. "I was so excited for him. I knew it was his dream." Tracy Moore was among the pioneers who blazed the way in the days of the Connor brothers, Vance Randall, windmills and loops in the fledgling sport. He owned courses in Farmingdale, New York; Bay Shore, New York and Long Island, New York, before returning to his Augusta, Georgia home where he purchased the 36-hole Fort Gordon Highway installation. "Putt-Putt was in his blood," Jeanne Rayburn says. "He loved the competition. He loved the challenges. He loved the game." He represented all that the sport stood for; A pro's pro attired in his Banlon shirts, dress trousers, Alpaca sweater and white buckskin shoes. "Don Clayton loved him," Jeanne Rayburn says. "And he thought Don Clayton hung the moon." In his career, Tracy Moore won two major titles, the 1963 Parade of Champions syndicated television series in addition to the PPA National Championship. He was the 1965 PPA Player of the Year and received the 1965 PPA Sportsmanship Award for his dignity and courage. The Tracy Moore PPA Stroke Average Award is named in his memory. He was a member of the 1964 Pros-Players Committee. Tracy Moore did not live to defend his title he so cherished. He died June 28, 1966 as fellow players competed in the PPA National Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was buried, as he asked, in his black Putt-Putt Golf shirt. "He would be so honored to know that he is being inducted into the PPA Hall of Fame," Jeanne Rayburn says. "I know he would have been proud of Paula for winning the LPPA National Championship. And I know he would be equally proud of this honor in the sport he so loved." |
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