Former U.S. Ryder Cup Team Captain to Hold Book Signing at Oakbrook Center

The legendary Billy Casper, who tallied more points in his career than any other American in Ryder Cup history, will make a special guest appearance on Thursday, Sept. 27, at the “Ryder Cup Exhibit: Where Legends Are Forged…and Legacies Are Made” at Oakbrook Center. Casper, who played in eight Ryder Cups— amassing a record of 20-10-7 for 23 ½ points—and was the victorious captain of the 1979 United States Ryder Cup Team, will sign his book about his playing days with Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player,  “The Big Three and Me” at the Exhibit from 6:30 p.m.-9 p.m.

Casper’s autobiography, which has been nominated for the Herbert Warren Wind Award for outstanding
contributions to golf literature, will be on sale at the Exhibit near Macy’s on Sept. 27 only, beginning at 6:30 p.m.,
for $27.  A limited-edition leather bound edition with an embroidered and autographed Ryder Cup pin flag will be available for $125.

To enable as many fans as possible to receive an autographed book during his visit to Oakbrook Center, Casper will only sign copies of “The Big Three and Me.”

A member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, Casper won 51 times on the PGA Tour. His distinguished career
was highlighted by his victories in three major championships— the U.S. Open in 1959 and 1966, and the 1970 Masters. Considered one of the greatest putters ever, Casper mirrored his game and playing demeanor after his friend and mentor, Ben Hogan. 

 In his fascinating memoir, Casper, 81, tells his life story, shining candid insight into the man who quietly collected the seventh highest number of victories in golf history. It is a true rags-to-riches tale that began at age 4 on a homemade golf hole in a New Mexico pasture during the Great Depression…and culminated with extraordinary success in what many consider golf's most glorious era.

Casper joined the PGA tour in 1955 on borrowed money. Ben Hogan, Sam Snead and Tommy Bolt were playing when he started; Tom Watson, Johnny Miller and Lee Trevino were on the stage when his 25-year career on the regular Tour ended. In his prime, he went head-to-head with Palmer, Player and Nicklaus, winning more tournaments from 1964-1970 than any man in golf. With the unassuming candor that characterized his career, Casper gives a blow-by-blow account of his legendary triumph at the 1966 U.S. Open, where he made up seven shots on Arnold Palmer on the back nine on Sunday and captured the trophy in the next day's 18-hole playoff.  He tells of purposely patterning his game after Hogan, about placing no more emphasis on major Championships than any other event on Tour, and about playing in lock-step with Palmer, the most popular golfer of all time.

The Ryder Cup Exhibit—which features items personally donated by Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Dow Finsterwald, and 2012 Ryder Cup Captains Davis Love III and Jose Maria Olazabal—is located at Oakbrook Center on the corner of Route 83 and Cermak/22^nd Street in Oak Brook, Ill. across from Macy’s.  It is open noon-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday; and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. on Sundays through Sept. 30, closing with the conclusion of the 39^th Ryder Cup at nearby Medinah Country Club.