Birmingham Native And PGA Golf Legend Hubert Green Dies At 71

BIRMINGHAM, AL - Birmingham native and PGA Tour legend Hubert Green passed away Tuesday after a long battle with throat cancer.

Green was born in Birmingham, honed his golfing skills at Birmingham County Club and graduated from Shades Valley High School. He went on to star at Florida State University, turned professional in 1970 and qualified for the PGA Tour the following year, when he was named Rookie of the Year after capturing his first title at the Houston Champions International.

(For more updates on this story and free news alerts for your neighborhood, sign up for your local Birmingham Patch morning newsletter.)

Green elevated himself onto the world golfing stage in 1977 when he won the U.S. Open at Southern Hills Country Club in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The winner of 11 tournaments over the previous six years, Green managed to win the '77 Open by one stroke over 1975 U.S. Open champion Lou Graham.

Green won his second major championship in 1985 when he dominated the field in the PGA Championship at Cherry Hills Country Club in Denver. This victory ended up being Green's last tournament win on the PGA Tour. Green also was a member of three U.S. Ryder Cup teams and never lost a singles match.

Green went on to win four times on PGA Champions Tour from 1998 to 2002, including a victory in 1998 at Birmingham's Bruno's Memorial Classic, now the Regions Charity Classic.

"PGA TOUR Champions is saddened by the passing of Hubert Green, a determined champion and a loving family man," PGA TOUR Champions President Greg McLaughlin said. "Hubert will be remembered for his tremendous career and witty one-liners. The game of golf is a better sport because of the impact he made during his Hall of Fame career. Our sincere condolences are with Green's family during this time."

Green is survived by his wife Becky Blair, of Birmingham; 3 sons, Hubert Myatt Green, Jr. (Liz) of Hurricane, Utah; Patrick Myatt Green; and James Thomas Green (Adrienne) of Panama City, Florida; sisters Melinda Green Powers (J. William), and Carolyn Green Satterfield (William H.), and brother Maurice O. V. Green (Annette), all of Birmingham. He is also survived by grandchildren, Shelby Green, Hubert Myatt Green, III “Trey”, and Elizabeth Green, all of Allen, Texas; granddaughter Judi Lauren Green of Hurricane, Utah, and grandson Ethan Green of Panama City Beach, Florida; step-sons Richard O’Brien of New Orleans, Louisiana, and Atticus O’Brien, of Dallas, Texas; loving and devoted nephews and niece, a host of faithful friends, and his loyal French Bulldog, Louie.

Photo Credit: Colorsport/REX/Shutterstock

Like the Birmingham Patch Facebook page for more local news.