Richard Zokol

Dick Zokol winning the 1981 Canadian Amateur

Inducted: 2011

Category: Player – Professional

Birthdate: August 21, 1958
Place of birth: Kitimat, British Columbia

Richard “Dick” Zokol’s playing career is highlighted by successes as an amateur, collegiate and professional golfer; member of Canada’s 1980 World Amateur Team; and winner of the 1981 Canadian Men’s Amateur Championship.  Born in Kitimat, BC but grew up in Vancouver, Richard joined the Marine Drive Golf Club as a junior member in 1970.   Richard “walked-on” to the Brigham Young University Golf Team in 1977 then captained BYU to the 1981 NCAA Championship (Division I) at Stanford University.  He would turn professional later that year and it wasn’t long before he claimed his first professional victory, the 1982 British Columbia Open.  Zokol spent 22 years competing on the PGA TOUR and has two career victories – the 1992 Greater Milwaukee Open and the 1992 Deposit Guaranty Golf Classic.  Other professional victories include the 1984 Utah Open as well as the 2001 Canadian PGA Championship.  Zokol represented Canada at the World Cup (1992 and 1993) and was a member of the Dunhill Cup Team (1985-1987 and 1992-1993).  During his amateur and professional career, Zokol competed in 26 Canadian Opens.

International:

  • 1980 International Champions Tournament – Individual Title; (Morocco)
  • 1981 NCAA Team Championship Brigham Young University
  • 1984 Utah State Open
  • 1992 Deposit Guarantee Classic (PGA Tour)
  • 1992 Greater Milwaukee Open (PGA Tour)

National:

  • 1981 Canadian Amateur Championship
  • 1982 British Columbia Open
  • 2001 Canadian PGA Championship (Nationwide Tour)

National & Provincial Teams:

  • 1977 – 1981 Brigham Young University  
  • 1980 World Amateur Team (Canada)
  • 1980 Willingdon Cup  (BC)
  • 1980 International Champions (Canada)
  • 1981 2nd Team All-American (NCAA)
  • 1985 – 1987, 1992, 1993 Dunhill Cup Team (Canada)
  • 1992, 1993 World Cup Team (Canada)

Other Items of Note:

  • Played in 26 Canadian Open Championships
  • Co-hosted Acura World of Golf (13 years)
  • Holds a USGA 9-hole record in US Opens at Pebble Beach (30 on front nine in final round of 2000 US Open)
  • Golf course architecture: Sagebrush Golf & Sporting Club designed by Whitman/Zokol/Suny – won 2009 Best New Course in Canada – Golf Digest & ScoreGolf publications
  • Founder & Chairman of Sagebrush Golf & Sporting Club
  • Honourary Life Member of the Marine Drive Golf Club – Vancouver, BC

Publications:

  • SwingFree: 3 Simple Steps to Better Golf   1999     

Awards:

SCORE Award Male Playing Professional of the Year 1992 and 1993

Inducted to BC Golf Hall of Fame in 2009

Inducted to Brigham Young University Athletic Hall of Fame (1981 Golf Team) in 2009

Inducted to PGA of Canada Hall of Fame in 2014

 

Resources:

Wednesdays With Richard Zokol

Photos of Richard Zokol from our collection.