[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 39 (Monday, March 9, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1332-S1333]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        REMEMBERING BILLY CASPER

  Mr. HATCH. Mr. President, today I wish to pay tribute to a hall of 
fame golfer, a remarkable husband, and a loyal friend--Billy Casper. 
Last month, Billy passed away peacefully at the age of 83. I know I 
speak for all who knew him when I say he will be sorely missed.
  Billy Casper was a champion both in golf and in life. Between 1956 
and 1975, he won 51 tournaments on the PGA tour, including the U.S. 
Open in 1959 and again in 1966. In 1970, he defeated Gene Litler to 
capture the Masters in what was the tournament's last 18-hole playoff. 
During his long and illustrious career, he claimed many titles, 
including five Vardon Trophies for the low-scoring average that year. 
He was also a member of eight U.S. Ryder Cup teams and still holds the 
record for the most Ryder Cup points earned by a U.S. team member. He 
was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1978.
  Later in his career, Billy captured nine senior PGA tour wins between 
1982 and 1989. I am proud that one of these victories came in Jeremy 
Ranch, UT--the State Billy adopted as his home.
  Billy first came to Utah in 1959 to play in the Utah Open. During 
that week, he and his wife Shirley fell in love with Utah and 
eventually relocated permanently. He was an active member of the Utah 
golfing community and was inducted into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame in 
2013.
  Since his passing, several professional golfers have offered tributes 
in honor of Billy's memory. Jack Nicklaus, widely considered the 
greatest golfer of all time, said the following about Billy:


[[Page S1333]]


       Billy Casper was one of the greatest family men--be it 
     inside the game of golf or out--I have had the fortunate 
     blessing to meet. He had such a wonderful balance to his 
     life. Golf was never the most important thing in Billy's 
     life--family was. There was always much more to Billy Casper 
     than golf . . . It was not even a year ago, someone asked 
     Billy how he wanted to be remembered, and he said, ``I want 
     to be remembered for how I loved my fellow man.''

  Mike Reid, a fellow PGA Tour competitor and Utahn, said the following 
about Billy: ``He taught by example, that while we strive for 
excellence in golf, success should never come at the cost of the 
relationships we hold dear.''
  To Billy and his wife Shirley, family was always the first priority. 
They are the proud parents of 11 children, 6 of whom are adopted, and 
they now have over 70 grandchildren and many great-grandchildren. When 
his sons were old enough Billy would have them caddie for him on tour 
so that he could spend that special time with them. He gave freely of 
himself and spent countless hours in the service of others, both in 
golf and in church callings.
  Billy Casper was one of the very best in his chosen profession, but 
at the same time, he never let the trappings of the world overshadow 
what was most important to him--his friends, his faith, and his family. 
I am profoundly grateful that Elaine and I were able to call Billy and 
Shirley friends. I will miss Billy Casper dearly, as will all who knew 
him. May his memory remind us all of the importance of kindness, 
charity, love, and optimism.

                          ____________________