Inductees

Leland “Duke” Gibson was born in St. Joseph, MO. He started caddying at the age of 10 at Mission Hills, earning $ .50 per round and worked in the pro shop. In 1934, Gibson got his first head pro job at the White Lakes Country Club in Topeka, KS. He stayed there four years, returning to Kansas City to take the head pro job at Meadow Lake in 1937. He then worked as head pro at Swope Park until he entered the Air Corps in 1942.

Gibson had a strong interest in the PGA and was President of the Midwest Section six times and a National Vice-President of the organization. He was also a member of the Tournament Players’ Committee and an outspoken advocate for the integrity on the course by PGA Tour Members.

Gibson played in 16 U.S. Opens and 10 Master’s Championships, but his tour time was limited to the first four months of each year when he and his wife went to California to test his skills against the best. He won the PGA Quarter-Century Championship and was a quarter finalist for the PGA Championship when it was match play in 1947.