WPGA Hall of Famer, John Birmingham, Passes Away
By WPGA • January 29, 2021
John Birmingham remains one of the greatest players in western Pennsylvania golf history with a total of 12 WPGA titles, including three straight WPGA Amateur Championships (1966-1968) and two WPGA Open Championships (1964 & 1972). He also dominated the WPGA team events, winning four WPGA Four-Ball Championships (1965, 1971, 1977 & 1980), two Fred Brand Foursomes Championships (1968 & 1977) and the 1994 Father & Son Championship. Birmingham also won the 1966 Tri-State Open Championship. He was inducted into the Western Pennsylvania Golf Hall of Fame in 2016 and the WPGA Mid-Amateur Championship trophy is now named in his honor.
Birmingham graduated from Duke University in 1961 where he was a member of the soccer team and golf team, which won the ACC Championship in 1959 and 1961. Nationally, Birmingham qualified for 16 USGA Championships, including 15 U.S. Amateur Championships and one U.S. Open Championship. He also won the 1970 Dixie Amateur and reached a peak ranking of 8th in the amateur golf rankings by Golf Digest.
As great as his golf career was, John was considered a better man and a loving friend. He will be missed by all. The WPGA would like to extend our condolences to his friends and family.
About the WPGA
Founded in 1899, the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association is the steward of amateur golf in the region. Started by five Member Clubs, the association now has nearly 200 Member Clubs and 33,000 members. The WPGA conducts 14 individual competitions and 10 team events, and administers the WPGA Scholarship Fund.