Dave Stockton

Honorary Degrees
 
 

Dave StocktonDave Stockton

Professional Golfer/Community Leader

California State University, San Bernardino

Professional golfer and community leader Dave Stockton has been a longtime supporter of California State University, San Bernardino through his commitment to the university and its athletic program.

Mr. Stockton has generously lent his name and leadership to CSUSB's annual Dave Stockton Coyote Golf Classic, which raises scholarship funds for student-athletes. He is an active participant each year, voluntarily providing workshops for golfers and students and donating personalized golf lessons.

Mr. Stockton's generosity, and that of his family, goes far beyond the Coyote Classic. He regularly supports The Children's Fund, Bighorn Institute, University of Redlands, Children's Home Society, Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation, Maui Jim's Children's Home, and Stater Bros. Charities, as well as other meaningful community organizations, such as the "Inland Women Fighting Cancer."

Mr. Stockton is best known for his success on the PGA Tour and Champions Tour, as well as a U.S. Ryder Cup team captain. Indicative of the enormous respect that he has earned in the professional golf community, Mr. Stockton was recently named the 2012 recipient of the PGA Distinguished Service Award, joining such previous winners as Byron Nelson, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and President George H.W. Bush. He also has become famous as a golf instructor, serving as a coach to many of the legends of golf—from Phil Mickelson to Rory McIlroy and Annika Sorenstam—and is rated as perhaps the best putting instructor in the game.

He graduated from the University of Southern California, where he was an All-American and captain of the golf team. He won his first major, the PGA Championship, in 1970. He captured three PGA Tour events in 1974 and ranked in the top-10 money list. That year he finished second at the Masters Tournament and in 1976 won his second PGA Championship.

Mr. Stockton claimed 14 tournament victories as a senior golfer on the Champions Tour, including the U.S. Senior Open in 1996. He was the Champions Tour Player of the Year in 1993, when he won five times. He was named to the USC Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995 and the Southern California Golf Association Hall of Fame in 2010.

In recognition of his many accomplishments and extensive contributions to the university and the community, the Board of Trustees of the California State University and California State University, San Bernardino are proud to confer upon Dave Stockton the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.