Willie Vinson says he was a scratch golfer back in the day. Willie played golf with legendary golfers including James Black, Lee Elder, Chuck Thorpe, Jim Dent, Nate Stark, and others. He has also played with baseball great Jackie Robinson at Roger’s Park Golf Course in Tampa in 1968.
Born on May 19, 1939 in Cordele, Georgia, the spry 85-year-old now lives in St. Petersburg, Florida. He moved to St. Petersburg in 1955. During his heyday he was a scratch golfer and says that he has been knowing his good friend Arthur Johnson for 40-years. Willie also shared that he hosted Jim Thorpe’s brother Chuck whenever he came into town. Still keeping busy, Willie works part-time at the Vinoy Golf & Country Club in St. Petersburg, as a locker room attendant.
Although has never been married, Willie has two kids, a son whose (age 65), and a daughter (age 55) and she has also maintained a 40-year friendship with AAGD supporter Arthur Johnson, a former manager for the late Calvin Peete.
Willie goes by the nickname “KENO” to those who know him well. At one time Willie says that he was sponsored in friendly $$$ wagers by a reputed hustler name Pete Short, aka “Sagginaw Pete”, from Sagginaw, Michigan. Man, if golf bags could talk! Just think of all the interesting things we’d learn.
