Born: Sept. 1, 1937
Known for: Al Geiberger won 11 tournaments on the PGA Tour, including the 1966 PGA Championship. He became the first golfer to break 60 in an official PGA Tour event when he shot a 59 at the Danny Thomas-Memphis Classic in 1977.
Background: Born in Red Bluff, Geiberger grew up in Sacramento, playing often at the nine-hole Land Park course from ages 5 to 15. He won the Land Park Junior Club championship before moving to Santa Barbara as a teenager. He graduated from the University of Southern California in 1959 before turning professional and played on the 1967 and 1975 Ryder Cup teams. During his historic 1977 round at the Colonial Country Club, at which he earned the nickname "Mr. 59," he shot a 13-under-par round and remains the only player ever to win a tour event without shooting a round in the 60s. He shot 72-59-72-70 -- 273 (15-under par) in the event. He also won 10 tournaments on the Senior PGA Tour, now called the Champions Tour.
A highlight: Geiberger's son Brent, also a professional golfer, has won two PGA tournaments. Another son, John, is golf coach at Pepperdine University.
In History's Spotlight profiles of Sacramento newsmakers were published originally in 2007 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of The Sacramento Bee. They were written by Anthony Sorci. Look for them every Sunday in Sac History Happenings.
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