By Chad Crunk
Communications Intern

Julius Boros might be best known for his motto “swing easy, hit hard.” It was Boros' smooth swing and surprising power that enabled him to become one of the best golfers of all-time.

Boros was born March 3, 1920, in Fairfield, Conn.  He was given the nickname “Moose" because of his 6-foot, 200-plus pound frame. Boros was an accountant by trade, and did not pick up the game of golf until his 20s.

Boros turned pro at the age of 29 and picked up his first victory three years later at the 1952 U.S. Open in Dallas.  He would win his second U.S. Open at Brookline 11 years later in 1963 when he shot 70 in a playoff, defeating Arnold Palmer and Jackie Cupit. Boros was a regular at the top of U.S. Open leaderboards, as he registered nine top-5 finishes between 1951 and 1965.

Overall, Boros enjoyed a very successful career on the PGA TOUR. He won 18 times between 1952-68. He was named PGA Player of the Year in 1952 and 1963, led the money list in 1952 and 1955, and played on four Ryder Cup teams.

At age 48, Boros became the oldest player to ever win a major when he won the 1968 PGA Championship in San Antonio.

Boros claimed two major victories on the Champions Tour as he won the 1971 and 1977 PGA Seniors Championship.

Boros was instrumental in the development of the Champions Tour when he and partner Roberto De Vicenzo defeated Tommy Bolt and Art Wall in the 1979 Legends of Golf. That tournament is credited by many people as the start of the Champions Tour.

Boros’ successful golf career was recognized in 1982 as he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the Connecticut and Carolinas Golf Hall of Fame.

Boros passed away on a golf course near his home in Florida on May 28, 1994. The Boros name still lives on through Guy Boros, Julius’ son. Guy won the 1996 Greater Vancouver Open, making the Boroses one of only three father-son tandems to have won on the PGA TOUR.