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also coached at the Uni- versity of Alabama). "Coach Rehling was a great coach, a great leader of his players." Ragan joined a strong team that included Doug Sanders, Al Kelley, Don Bisplinghoff, Pat Schwab and Hale Baugh (father of LPGA player Laura). "We had four or five state amateur champions on that team, including Don Bisplinghoff who won a total of six Florida State Amateurs." Ragan met with his most collegiate success in 1956 when he won the South- ern Intercollegiate and the SEC Championship indi- vidual title. (Florida also won the team title.) He also won the Okefenokee Invitational and Florida Open Championship in '56, his junior year, as well as being named an All-American. As a result, he was elected into the University of Florida Sports Hall of Fame. "I turned pro after that. I wanted to play and felt like I was ready." Back then there was a rule in place that would not fly on today's tour. After turning pro, a player could not win any money for the first six months of his career. "I guess they did it to see if you were serious or not. I made the cut in four of my first five tournaments, but couldn't take a dime. Boy, that was tough." He did secure his playing status for 1957 though by playing well in the 1956 Florida Open, the final event of that season. He also won the Florida PGA, but was still serving his six-month apprenticeship, so he couldn't take what was due him. He struggled to begin with in '57, making cuts but winning little or no money. "It wasn't until Baton Rouge (Louisiana) that I made my first decent check. That was the ninth or 10th event of the year. The following week I did well in Pensacola, and I started pecking away at it from then on. "I never achieved like I thought I would. I only made about $5000 that first year, but you've got to remember only 15 guys or so made over $20,000. "The top players of that era were Ken Venturi, Mike Souchak, Ed Furgol. Arnold Palmer came on strong, really strong. "Myself, Walker Inman, Mason Rudolph, Tommy Jacobs, Johnny Pott and Tony Lema were all young guys trying to make our way. We all came out together and were sup- posed to do something. Each of us had some suc- cess." Ragan continued to improve for the next seven years, not having a year when he went down statistically or financially, breaking through for his first official Tour win, the Eastern Open, in 1959. "The Eastern Open was one of the larger tourna- ments back then. Somewhat equivalent to the West- ern Open. I beat Gene Littler head-to-head, winning $2800. "I played with Porky Oliver for the final two rounds. He was a heavy set guy, a jovial person from the Jimmy Demaret, Ben Hogan and Sam Snead era. He really helped me win. He showed me how to get through the last few holes, keeping me calm." Fast forward to 1962 and his wins in the West Palm Beach (Florida) and Beaumont (Texas) Opens. His win in West Palm Beach came courtesy of a playoff win over Doug Sanders. "Jack Nicklaus followed me in the playoff. He wanted me to win so badly. He walked side by side with me and I birdied both holes of the playoff." Ragan finished in the top five in the last six events of the year, leading to his best ever finish on the money list - 8th. His strong play continued in 1963 with his best ever finish in a major. He was runner-up to Nicklaus in the PGA Championship at Dallas Athletic Club. Although he didn't win, his high finish solidified his place on that year's Ryder Cup team. "Jack made a 40 footer on 15 to go one ahead of me. He was playing in the group behind me, but I knew what was going on. I bogeyed 17 and that put him two ahead. He still had a two shot lead playing 18, but he hooked his tee shot left. He had to pitch out and was on in three, but holed a downhill 10 footer for par to keep his two shot margin. "We spent great times together. Going down to the wire with him at the PGA was my fondest memory of him." LOCAL GOLF LEGEND DAVE RAGAN PASSES AWAY In recognition of the milestone of reaching my 250th issue, I'm pleased to offer a special "Lifetime" sub- scription offer of $100 for 10 years of issues! That's right, this special offer is available now and will mean you won't have to pay $30 annually, but rather a one-time payment of $100 for up to 10 years of issues. This option is available when you click the Subscribe Now! button. Dave Ragan on the Senior Tour.

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