“‘PRO” File – Touring Professional Bob Toski

He’s known today for his great teaching career, but USGTF member Bob Toski also forged a fine playing career before taking his talents to the lesson tee. Toski played the first of his 247 tournaments on the PGA Tour in 1947, but it wasn’t until 1950 when he hit his stride. He played in 24 events with five top-10 finishes, and he made the cut in almost every tournament he played in for years. In 1953 he won his first event, and in 1954 the floodgates opened. Toski won four events, including the richest tournament, the World Championship of Golf at Tam O’Shanter Country Club in Illinois, and was the leading money winner in 1954. Toski joined the fledgling Senior Tour in 1980, eventually competing in 76 events on that Tour. His last individual appearance was at the 1997 U.S. Senior Open. In 1999, he played in the WGTF’s World Golf Teachers Cup individual championship, where he was even par after 16 holes until he was called away from the golf course due to a personal matter. Ken Butler wound up winning with a score of 73, but had Toski been able to finish, who knows what the end result would have been? Toski survived a massive heart attack several months ago, and today he is still on the lesson tee at the age of 92, still imparting his wisdom and knowledge to those lucky enough to be his students.