Jerry Pate was born September 16, 1953 in Macon, Georgia. Moved to Anniston, Alabama in 1954 then to Pensacola, Florida in 1967. He received a golf scholarship to the University of Alabama where he played for 4 years, was captain of the team and became a first team All-American. In 1974 he was the Florida Amateur Champion, the U.S. Amateur Champion, and was on the World Amateur Cup Team. In 1975 he was on the Walker Cup Team, was the low Amateur at the U.S. Open, and in 1976 after turning pro, won the U.S. Open. That year he also won the Canadian Open, the Japan Masters, and was co-player of the year with Jack Nicklaus. In 1977 he won the Phoenix Open and the Southern Open. In 1981 he won the Memphis Open, the Pensacola Open, and was on the winning Ryder Cup Team. In 1982 he won the Player's Championship. Jerry presently resides in Pensacola, Florida.