Bio

As the male athlete inductee, Gary McCord boasts a stellar collegiate and professional record. A NCAA Division II champion, NCAA Player of the Year and All-American, McCord went on to play in 422 tournaments during 23 seasons on the PGA tour, before hitting the Senior PGA Tour and becoming a television commentator and accomplished golf writer. He later joined the Champions Tour, winning two events his first year. McCord’s books include the “Golf for Dummies” series and the autobiographical “Just a Range Ball in a Box of Titleists.” He continues to provide color commentary for CBS. 

Gary McCord graduated from Ramona High School in 1966. While there, he was named All-CIF in golf in 1965 and 1966. He continued to play golf at both RCC and UCR, and won the 1970 College Division II NCAA Individual Championship, setting a course and tournament record by shooting a 66. He was named the 1970 NCAA Division II Player of the Year and was a Division II All- American Medalist in 1970 and 1971.

McCord went on to play in 422 tournaments in 23 seasons on the PGA Tour, with zero wins. A man of good humor, he boasted a “NO WINS” license plate for years to poke fun at his own less-than-glamorous career as a professional golfer. “Trapped in the headlights of bankruptcy,” as he liked to describe it, McCord pursued other avenues of golf, and found himself launched into the world of broadcasting. He scored big when a CBS executive tossed him a headset and asked him to do commentary – giving him only 15 minutes to prepare. A friend of failure, McCord jumped in with no fear and impressed CBS with his performance.

McCord managed to play on the Senior PGA Tour while working as a CBS sports commentator for 21 years. In 1999, he joined the Champions Tour and took it by storm. He won the first and last events of the year – the Toshiba Senior Classic and Ingersoll-Rand Senior Tour Championship. Over the past few years, he has continued his excellent play, proving to be an extremely talented golfer.

McCord still provides color commentary for CBS. Fans and critics alike praise him for his knowledgeable perspective, refreshing humor, and an irreverent wit towards a game that is known for taking itself too seriously. He also is an accomplished writer (Golfonline.com, Golf Digest) and author of Golf for Dummies, Golf for Dummies II,and Just a Range Ball in a Box of Titleists, and was a technical consultant for the movie “Tin Cup.” The fourth edition of his best-selling instructional manual, Golf for Dummies, was released in January 2011. McCord also worked with Wiley to convert the manual into an instructional DVD in 2004 and a popular app for smart phones in 2011.

McCord plans to maintain his busy schedule by playing on the Champions Tour, broadcasting for CBS, working on various creative projects, speaking at corporate outings, and enjoying the “ups and downs” of a busy, fun life. He continues to give back to his community, is an honorary lifetime member of the Victoria Club, and was inducted into the Riverside Sport Hall of Fame in 2013.