Eddie Pearce

Who is Eddie Pearce?

Eddie Pearce is an American professional golfer.

Pearce was born in Fort Myers, Florida and grew up in Temple Terrace, Florida, where, as an infant, his first golf club was placed in his hands by the legendary Babe Didrikson Zaharias. By the time he was 12, he was shooting in the 60s and was featured as a child prodigy in Professional Golfer Magazine. He attended C. Leon King High School in nearby Tampa, Florida and was on the same high school golf team as PGA Tour veteran Gary Koch.

As an amateur, Pearce won the Florida Boys Junior Championship for his age division in three straight years. He also won his age division at the "Future Masters" Tournament in seven straight years.

Pearce then went on to win the 1968 U.S. Junior Amateur, the Florida Open in 1970 and was awarded a golf scholarship to Wake Forest University. In 1971, Pearce was one hole away from winning the U.S. Amateur when Gary Cowan holed a long iron shot from the rough for an eagle and the win. Pearce won the 1971 North and South Amateur. He was a two-time All-American at Wake Forest. He left after his sophomore year and turned pro, with many experts calling him the "next Jack Nicklaus."