Chuck Kocsis
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Former NCAA All-American and University of Michigan golf legend Chuck Kocsis, 93, passed away Tuesday night May 30, 2006 at Royal Oak Beaumont Hospital following complications from congestive heart failure, which he had been afflicted with the past two years.
Kocsis helped Michigan become a national power during his three seasons donning the Maize and Blue (1934-36). He helped the Wolverines win back-to-back NCAA national team match-play titles in 1934 and 1935 and was the NCAA individual runner-up in 1934. In 1936, he went on to capture the NCAA individual match-play title to close out his collegiate career. Prior to his passing, Kocsis was featured for being the oldest remaining NCAA champion in the current issue of Golfweek (May 27).
In Big Ten Conference play, Kocsis was a mainstay on a Wolverine squad that won three of five straight Big Ten titles (1932-36), and he added Big Ten individual titles in 1934 and 1936. Kocsis' 'M' letterman's sweater is proudly displayed in the U-M Golf Course showcase.
During his junior and amateur golf playing days, Kocsis was a two-time Michigan State Junior champion (1927, '28), a two-time Michigan high school state champion (1928, '29), a six-time Michigan State Amateur champion (1930, '33, '34, '37, '48, '51), a two-time Golf Association of Michigan champion (1932, '33), a six-time Michigan medal play champion (1955, '58, '59, '60, '61, '62) and a three-time Michigan Open champion (1931, '45, '46).
Kocsis was inducted into the University of Michigan Hall of Fame in 1979, the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1974, and Michigan Golf Hall of Fame in 1982. He was also voted Michigan's Golfer of the 20th Century by the Golf Association of Michigan in 2003.
Other career golf highlights for Kocsis include: a runner-up finish at the 1956 U.S. Amateur Championship; firing the lowest round scores as an amateur at the 1934 and 1937 U.S. Open; posting the lowest amateur finish at the 1952 Masters; serving as a three-time member of the Walker Cup team (1938, '47, '59); winning three U.S. National Open seniors titles (1969, '70, '79); and winning four International Seniors titles (1970, '73, '83, '88).
Chuck is preceded in death by wife Dolores and son Charlie. He is survived by daughters Jayne and Karen as well as son Tom and his wife Patti and their children Christie and Heather (Holmgren), her husband Scott and their son Aidan.
Kocsis helped Michigan become a national power during his three seasons donning the Maize and Blue (1934-36). He helped the Wolverines win back-to-back NCAA national team match-play titles in 1934 and 1935 and was the NCAA individual runner-up in 1934. In 1936, he went on to capture the NCAA individual match-play title to close out his collegiate career. Prior to his passing, Kocsis was featured for being the oldest remaining NCAA champion in the current issue of Golfweek (May 27).
In Big Ten Conference play, Kocsis was a mainstay on a Wolverine squad that won three of five straight Big Ten titles (1932-36), and he added Big Ten individual titles in 1934 and 1936. Kocsis' 'M' letterman's sweater is proudly displayed in the U-M Golf Course showcase.
During his junior and amateur golf playing days, Kocsis was a two-time Michigan State Junior champion (1927, '28), a two-time Michigan high school state champion (1928, '29), a six-time Michigan State Amateur champion (1930, '33, '34, '37, '48, '51), a two-time Golf Association of Michigan champion (1932, '33), a six-time Michigan medal play champion (1955, '58, '59, '60, '61, '62) and a three-time Michigan Open champion (1931, '45, '46).
Kocsis was inducted into the University of Michigan Hall of Fame in 1979, the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1974, and Michigan Golf Hall of Fame in 1982. He was also voted Michigan's Golfer of the 20th Century by the Golf Association of Michigan in 2003.
Other career golf highlights for Kocsis include: a runner-up finish at the 1956 U.S. Amateur Championship; firing the lowest round scores as an amateur at the 1934 and 1937 U.S. Open; posting the lowest amateur finish at the 1952 Masters; serving as a three-time member of the Walker Cup team (1938, '47, '59); winning three U.S. National Open seniors titles (1969, '70, '79); and winning four International Seniors titles (1970, '73, '83, '88).
Chuck is preceded in death by wife Dolores and son Charlie. He is survived by daughters Jayne and Karen as well as son Tom and his wife Patti and their children Christie and Heather (Holmgren), her husband Scott and their son Aidan.
