THE STORY OF HAL SUTTON
Championship Golf. Leadership. Legacy.
A Legacy Built on the Game
Graduating from Centenary College of Louisiana, Sutton won Golf Magazine’s 1980 College Player of the Year Award after winning the U.S. Amateur, North and South Amateur, Western Amateur, and Northeast Amateur titles. Named an All-American, Sutton finished ninth nationally upon graduating from Centenary and represented the United States on the Walker Cup Teams in 1979 and 1981.
Turning Professional in 1981, Sutton secured his first PGA Tour Victory at the 1982 Walt Disney World Golf Classic, defeating Bill Britton in a playoff. The following year, he claimed The Players Championship and the PGA championship where he famously beat his boyhood hero, Jack Nicklaus, earning him the 1983 Player of the Year Award and Leading Money Winner.
In 1994, Sutton was named the PGA Tour Comeback Player of the Year after recording multiple top-10 finishes, including a runner-up at the Shell Houston Open. He followed with a victory at the 1995 B.C. Open at En-Joie Golf Club in Endicott, New York. Sutton would go on to win The Tour Championship in 1998, accumulating a total of 14 PGA Tour Wins.
Sutton’s most famous match of his career came during the 2000 Tournament Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. During the 72nd round on the 18th hole, Sutton hit an exceptional 179 yard shot with a 6-iron into the 18th hole and proclaimed, “Be the right club, today!” The shot secured his victory at 10-under 278, beating Tiger Woods and etching the phrase into golf history as one of the game’s most memorable quotes.
As a player, Sutton represented the United States in four Ryder Cups (1985, 1987, 1999, 2002), including the infamous, “Battle at Brookline,” and captained the 2004 Ryder Cup Team. An honor Sutton has described as one of the main highlights of his career.
Throughout his career, Sutton spent more than 50 weeks ranked inside the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking, both during its early years (1986–1987) and again between 1999 and 2001.
Beyond playing, Sutton has contributed to golf course architecture. In May 2006, he partnered with Jim Lipe to design Boot Ranch Golf Club in Fredericksburg, Texas. Most recently, Sutton and Doug Wright co-designed The Darmor Golf Club in Columbus, Texas. Opened in June 2024, Darmor draws inspiration from the “Golden Age” of American golf course design, blending classic strategy with modern playability.
Sutton’s impact off the course is equally notable. In 2007, he received the Payne Stewart Award for his charitable contributions, including establishing the Christus Schumpert Sutton Children’s Hospital in Shreveport. Alongside fellow Louisianans Kelly Gibson and David Toms, he helped raise over $2 million for victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. His humanitarian efforts also earned him the 2004 Omar N. Bradley Spirit of Independence Award and the 2006 Charlie Bartlett Award from the Golf Writers Association of America.
Today, Sutton spends his time as the General Manager of Darmor CC, appearances and interviews with Makefield Putters, riding and selling cutting horses, fishing, hunting, and spending time with his wife, kids, and his dog at his home in Texas.
Hal’s Defining Moments
1958
Beginnings
Aerial view of Shreveport, Louisiana — U.S. National Archives (Public Domain)
From Shreveport to Shady Oaks
Born April 28, 1958, in Shreveport, Louisiana, Hal Sutton was introduced to golf early and learned the game at Shady Oaks Country Club in Westworth Village, Texas.
1980
Amateur Peak
Magale Library at Centenary College of Louisiana. Photo by Billy Hathorn, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
College star and U.S. Amateur champion
While at Centenary College of Louisiana, Sutton became one of the most decorated amateurs of his era. In 1980 he won Golf Magazine’s College Player of the Year after capturing the U.S. Amateur, North and South Amateur, Western Amateur, and Northeast Amateur titles.
An All-American who finished ninth nationally upon graduating, he also represented the United States on the Walker Cup Teams in 1979 and 1981.
1982-1983
PGA Breakthrough
“TPC at Sawgrass” of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida by Philip Larson, licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. No changes were made.
A fast start on the PGA Tour
Turning professional in 1981, Sutton quickly broke through on the PGA Tour.
He earned his first PGA Tour victory at the 1982 Walt Disney World Golf Classic, defeating Bill Britton in a playoff. The next season he won The Players Championship, famously outdueling Jack Nicklaus and earning 1983 Player of the Year honors and Leading Money Winner(83).
1994-1998
Comeback Years
“East Lake Golf Club, host of the TOUR Championship” by Cern0030, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Image cropped and resized from original.
Resurgence, wins, and a season-ending title
After battling injuries and inconsistency, Sutton’s resurgence earned him the 1994 PGA Tour Comeback Player of the Year honor. He posted multiple top-10 finishes, including runner-up at the Shell Houston Open.
Momentum carried into a win at the 1995 B.C. Open, then a signature victory at The Tour Championship in 1998. He finished his PGA Tour career with 14 wins.
2000
TPC Sawgrass
Photo Credit: Hal Sutton
“Be the right club, today!”
One of Sutton’s most memorable moments came at the 2000 Tournament Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. On the final hole, he hit a 179-yard 6-iron to set up the winning finish and delivered the line that golfers still quote: “Be the right club, today!” He won at 10-under 278, finishing ahead of Tiger Woods.
1985-2004
Team USA
Photo Credit: Hal Sutton
Ryder Cup player and 2004 captain
Sutton represented the United States in four Ryder Cups (1985, 1987, 1999, 2002), including the famed “Battle at Brookline,” and later captained the 2004 Ryder Cup Team, an honor he has called a career highlight.
Across his career, Sutton spent more than 50 weeks ranked inside the top 10 of the Official World Golf Ranking, both in 1986–1987 and again from 1999 to 2001.
1999-2024
Course Design
Photo Credit: Hal Sutton
Shaping courses, not just scorecards
Beyond competition, Sutton has left his mark in golf course architecture. He co-designed Boot Ranch with Jim Lipe in Fredericksburg, TX which opened in 2006, and later co-designed The Darmor Golf Club in Columbus, Texas, with Doug Wright of Heritage Links. Darmor opened in June 2024 and was inspired by the “Golden Age” of American golf course design.
2004-2007
Giving Back
Awards earned through service
His humanitarian efforts also earned the 2004 Omar N. Bradley Spirit of Independence Award and the 2006 Charlie Bartlett Award from the Golf Writers Association of America.
Sutton’s impact off the course includes significant charitable work. In 2007 he received the Payne Stewart Award, and he helped establish the Christus Schumpert Sutton Children’s Hospital in Shreveport. With fellow Louisianans Kelly Gibson and David Toms, he helped raise more than $2 million for victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Today
Life in Golf
Where Hal Sutton is now
Today, Sutton serves as General Manager of Darmor Country Club, stays connected to the game through appearances and interviews with Makefield Putters, and enjoys riding and selling cutting horses, fishing, hunting, and time at home in Texas with his wife, kids, and dog.
