Michigan Golf Hall of Fame Inductees  

Tom Draper

Tom Draper came to Michigan in 1948 from the St. Louis area where he had established himself as a top-notch amateur by winning the Metro St. Louis Championship in 1938 and 1039.

He joined Red Run Golf Club, then the home of more good players than any other club in Michigan. It didn’t take him long to become known as he won the Michigan Amateur in 1949 and the GAM Championship (then called the Detroit District) 2 times.

The US Open was held at Oakland Hills in 1951 and Tom qualified to play in that and 3 other Opens. He also qualified for 4 USGA Amateur Championships. He also appeared on the GAM Honor Roll 17 times.

Perhaps the most remembered victory in Tom’s career was the North South Amateur at Pinehurst, North Carolina at the age of 50. He continued to be a great player as a senior and won the USGA Senior Championship in 1971. That year he also won the Great Lakes Senior and the Western Senior Championships.

Tom was one of the first players to make a detailed yardage book with the help of a measuring wheel, a device that some fellow competitors nick-named "the Drapemobile".