J.R. BROWn - INDUCTEE #82
hall of fame fast fact:
Tom Morris described J.R. Brown as a "flamboyant" dresser, which was quite a contrast to his quiet personality. "He'd wear these beautiful sports coats with off-color ties," Morris said. "He might wear a tan jacket with orange pants. He was a very colorful dresser."
J.R. Brown
J.R. Brown settled in Amarillo in 1939 working for Phillips 66 Petroleum Co., but didn’t take up golf until he was 36.
Within six months, he broke 75; within a year, he was shooting in the 60s. Brown became a dominant player in the area during the 1940s and 1950s, but really hit his stride when he turned 50 and was eligible for senior events.
In his first Tri-State Senior golf tournament, Brown shot a round of 67, the lowest medalist score at Amarillo Country Club for that tournament. In a span of nine years, he either won the Tri-State or finished second eight times.
Brown played most of his golf at Amarillo Country Club, where he was the club men’s champion in 1952 and 1954.
Brown was instrumental in keeping the growing Tri-State Tournament healthy; he served as executive secretary of the tournament for 25 years.
He was 88 when he died in 1992.
