E. Harvie Ward Jr.
1981
Amateur Golfer
Harvie Ward was born in Tarboro, NC, on the 8th day of December, 1925. During the 1950's he was one of the most accomplished golfers in the world, and supreme as an amateur. He won the British Amateur at Prestwick, Scotland in 1952; was runner-up the following year at Hoylake, England. In 1955 at the Country Club of Virginia in Richmond, he defeated Bill Hyndman in the finals to win his first US Amateur Championship, a feat he later described as being his greatest moment in golf. The following year at the Knollwood Club, Lake Forest, IL, he again became the US Amateur Champ by beating Charles Kocsis 5 up and 4 to play. In reaching the finals that year, Ward disposed of a Texan 6 and 5 in the third round. The Texan? Miller Barber!
Before he could attempt another defense of his title, he was suspended for a year by the USGA for allegedly accepting expense money by his employer for playing in amateur events. The irony of it was that had he received a larger salary and paid his own way, there would have been no debate, no suspension. As it was, the USGA clearly decided to make an example of their Amateur Champion. The effect upon Ward was immediate; his golf lost its tremendous flair and although he finished 4th in the Masters in 1957, and competed with distinction in his last Walker Cup Match in 1959, he was never quite the same player again.
Typical of Ward’s lust for competition and aggressive play were his two finishes in the 1948 and 1949 North and South Amateur Championships when in both years he played Frank Stranahan in the 36 hole finals. In 1948, he beat Stranahan 1 up; in 1949, he lost to Stranahan 2 and 1.
Ward’s Record:
North and South Amateur
Winner, 1948
Runner-up, 1949
NCAA, winner 1949
Carolina’s Amateur Championship
Winner, 1949, 1950
British Amateur Championship
Winner, 1952
Runner-up, 1953
USGA Amateur Championship
Winner; 1955, 1958
Canadian Amateur Champion, 1954
Walker Cup Team: 1953, 1955, 1959