Buddy Allin

Who was Buddy Allin?

Brian Thomas Allin was an American professional golfer who won five PGA Tour events in the 1970s.

Allin was born in Bremerton, Washington. He learned to play golf at age 13 while working as a caddy at the Santa Barbara Municipal Golf Course in Santa Barbara, California. Allin attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah and was a member of the golf team along with Johnny Miller. He served in the Army as an artillery officer during the Vietnam War earning four decorations including the Bronze Star and an Air medal. He turned pro in 1969 and qualified for the PGA Tour on his first attempt.

Allin's first win on the PGA Tour came in 1971 at the Greater Greensboro Open when he defeated Dave Eichelberger and Rod Funseth on the first extra-hole in a playoff. His best finish in a major was a T-10 at the 1974 U.S. Open and the 1975 PGA Championship. He had 3 dozen top-10 finishes in PGA Tour events in his career; his last win came at the 1976 Pleasant Valley Classic. He left the tour due to health issues in the early 1980s.

After reaching the age of 50 in October 1994, Allin began competing on the Senior PGA Tour. He was nominated for Rookie of the Year in 1995, after an outstanding first full season. He also shot a Senior Tour record low round of 61 at the FHP Healthcare Classic that year. His only win came in 1997 at the American Express Invitational where he 2-putted from 60 feet on the 72nd hole to win by one stroke in blustery conditions. He competed five full seasons before electing to leave the tour. Allin devoted the last years of his life to teaching at the San Diego Golf Academy and authoring his instructional manual, Center-Line, as well as an instructional DVD, Preferences. He lived in Boulder City, Nevada as well as California. He died in Hemet, California at the age of 62 from multiple forms of cancer.