Peter Oosterhuis, a legendary figure in the golf world, passed away on Thursday at the age of 75. Born in London in 1948, he made his mark on the golf world in 1969 when he received the European tour’s Rookie of the Year award. Throughout his career, he won seven times on the DP World Tour and was a key player on the GB&I and European Ryder Cup teams for over a decade.
Oosterhuis holds the record for six singles victories in his career, but he is perhaps best known to a generation of golf fans for his work as a broadcaster. He began his broadcasting career at Sky Sports and the BBC before ultimately joining the Golf Channel in 1995. In 1997, he started working as an analyst for CBS Sports, where he became a well-known figure in the 17th-hole tower during the Masters telecast. Oosterhuis once stated that he never saw announcing as work but rather as something he would do regardless of being paid.
Despite his successful career, Oosterhuis’ only Tour victory came in 1981 when he defeated notable players like Jack Nicklaus at the Canadian Open. He had 85 top-25 finishes in 343 Tour starts and was runner-up three times, including at the 1974 and 1982 Open Championships. Following his retirement from professional play, Oosterhuis entered the world of broadcasting and became a well-known figure in golf broadcasting circles for over two decades.
In 2014, Oosterhuis retired from broadcasting after being diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. He moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, where he became a member at Quail Hollow Club. Oosterhuis is survived by his wife Ruth Ann, sons Rob and Rich stepsons Byron and Matt, and four grandchildren: Peyton Turner Sutton Lachlan . His legacy will live on through his contributions to both golf and broadcasting communities around the world.
Overall, Peter Oosterhuis was an exceptional golfer who achieved great success throughout his career while also making significant contributions to