Mark O'Meara Born in Goldsboro, NC, in 1957, Mark O'Meara took up golf at the age of 13 when the family moved above a golf course in California. Today, he is among the world ' s top ranking golfers. Mark O'Meara defeated John Cook in the final of the 1979 U.S. Amateur Championship and turned professional in 1980. In his career he has totaled 15 Tour victories (from 1984 to 1998), the most recent being the 1998 Masters; 7 International victories (from 1985 to 1998), the most recent being the 1998 British Open; and his best 1997 finishes were: 1-AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, Buick Invitational; T3-Bay Hill Invitational; 4- Bob Hope Chrysler Classic; T9-Nissan Open, Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic. O'Meara's career highlights are many. He recorded four victories, two seconds and two thirds in a 13-month stretch during 1995 and 1996. He crossed the $ 1 million barrier for the first time in his career in 1996 thanks to victories at the Mercedes Championships and Greater Greensboro Chrysler Classic. In 1995 he posted the first victory in three years with the Honda Classic title, then parred first playoff hole to defeat Bob Lohr at the Bell Canadian Open. Six of his victories have come in Pro-Am events: 1985-89-90-92-97 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Ams and 1991 Walt Disney World/Oldsmobile Classic. He has had two other close calls in Pro-Am tournaments-playoff losses at the 1990 and 1992 Bob Hope Chrysler Classics. He equaled PGA Championship 36- hole record with 131 at Riviera in 1995, finished T6, and was named PGA Tour Rookie of the Year in 1981, although he lost the playoff to Dave Eichelberger in the 1981 Tallahassee Open. O'Meara won the 1994 Argentine Open which gave him victories on four continents: ga North America, South America, Europe and Australia. In national teams, O'Meara has played U.S. vs. Japan in 1984; the Ryder Cup in 1985, 1989, 1991, and 1997; the Nissan Cup in 1985; the Dunhill Cup in 1985, 1986, 1987, 1996 and 1997; and, the Presidents Cup in 1996. In 1998 O'Meara captured 2 of Golf Championships-The 1998 Masters and The British open. Mark O'Meara is also an active fund-raiser, taking part in the 1998 PGA Tour Charity Team at the Bay Hill Invitational, and among the work he does for several charities, he continues fundraising efforts on behalf of long-time caddie Donnie Wanstall, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis during the 1994 Players Championship.