Charles Coe

Who was Charles Coe?

Charles Robert "Charlie" Coe was an American amateur golfer who is considered by many to be one of the greatest amateurs in history. A two-time U.S. Amateur winner, Coe never turned professional, instead choosing to spend time with his wife and family. He had a successful career in the oil business.

Born in Ardmore, Oklahoma, Coe served as a pilot during World War II, and later attended the University of Oklahoma from 1946-48. He won the Big Seven Conference championship all three years.

Coe won the U.S. Amateur in 1949, beating Rufus King 11 & 10 in the finals, and won it again in 1958 with a 5 & 4 victory over Tommy Aaron. He finished runner-up to Jack Nicklaus in the 1959 tournament. Coe won the Western Amateur in 1950, and made the finals of the British Amateur in 1951, losing to Dick Chapman. He won four Trans-Mississippi Amateurs. He played on six Walker Cup teams from 1949 to 1963, including playing captain on the 1959 team, and was non-playing captain on a seventh team in 1957.

Coe made 19 Masters Tournament appearances and owns almost every Masters amateur record, including most cuts made; top-24 finishes; top-10 finishes; eagles, rounds played and most times low amateur. Coe won low amateur honors at Augusta in four consecutive decades: 1940s, 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. He also holds the amateur records for best finish, lowest third round score, and lowest 72-hole score. In 1961, Coe rallied in the final round from six shots down to finish one stroke behind Gary Player.