John Benda - Misplaced Pages

American golfer (born 1947) This article is about the golfer. For commanding officer of the USS Constitution, see John Benda (naval officer).

John Benda
Personal information
Born	(1947-07-09) July 9, 1947 (age 77) Sheridan, Wyoming, U.S.
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight	168 lb (76 kg; 12.0 st)
Sporting nationality	United States
Residence	Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
Career
Turned professional	1971
Current tour(s)	European Seniors Tour
Professional wins	2
Best results in major championships
Masters Tournament	DNP
PGA Championship	DNP
U.S. Open	DNP
The Open Championship	CUT: 1979, 1980

John Benda (born July 9, 1947) is an American professional golfer playing on the European Seniors Tour.

Early life

Benda was born in Sheridan, Wyoming and currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona.

Professional career

Benda turned professional in 1971. He played extensively overseas on the Asian circuit and Australian Tour. One of his best finishes was a runner-up finish at the 1977 Colgate Champion of Champions in Melbourne, Australia. He finished one behind Bob Shearer and tied, among others, Curtis Strange for second place. He twice qualified for The Open Championship (1979 and 1980) with his best finish being two strokes behind the third round cut in 1980 at Muirfield, Scotland. After his regular playing days were over he went on to become an administrator on the Asian and South American Tours.

After he turned 50, Benda decided to play the senior tours. In 2007 he enjoyed his best year competing on the European Seniors Tour. He was runner-up at the Sharp Italian Seniors Open in May, helped by his lowest ever senior round, a nine-under-par 63 in the second round, besting the course record set by Arnold Palmer, to collect his biggest prize: €15,000. A tied 13th finish at the Bad Ragaz PGA Seniors Open gave him his next best result of the campaign. He finished in 59th place on the Order of Merit in 2006 and just like in 2005. He returned to the Qualifying School to secure a conditional card.