Mr. Chandler Qualified For 16 Major Championships And Was
Inducted Into The Gateway PGA Hall of Fame in 1995
CHESTERFIELD, Mo. – The Gateway PGA Section announces the passing of Gateway PGA Hall of Famer Al Chandler (1936-2019), who passed away Sunday, December 1st. Our thoughts are with Mr. Chandler’s family at this time.
Mr. Chandler was inducted into the Gateway PGA Hall of Fame in 1995 and was a six-time Gateway PGA Player of the Year. Mr. Chandler qualified for 16 major championships in his illustrious playing career, including eight PGA Championships and eight U.S. Opens. He made the cut twice, most notably at the 1966 PGA Championship, where he carded a 71 in the third-round while playing in the same group as Arnold Palmer. Chandler eventually also played in eight senior major championships.
Prior to his professional playing career, Chandler won the 1953 Junior PGA Championship and helped capture three consecutive NAIA National Championships at Lamar University in the 1950s.
Mr. Chandler also coached Mizzou Golf from 1966-76, steering the Tigers to back-to-back Big Eight runner-up finishes and NCAA Tournament appearances in 1971 and 1972. The 1972 team placed 29th at the NCAA Championships. He was a Golf Professional at the Columbia Country Club from 1962-84.
He spent much of his life as an instructor after moving back to Columbia in October of 2008. He lived in West Palm Beach, Fla., over the last four years, coaching PGA apprentices and helping them pass the PGA Playing Ability Test.
Immediate family will gather to celebrate his life.