Professional golfer Lee Buck Trevino (1939-) was born on this day in Dallas, Texas. The son of a poor Mexican-American family, the golfing bug bit early as he earned money as a youngster caddying and collecting stray golf balls from a nearby course.

"By the time I was five," recalled Trevino, "I was out in the fields (working). I thought hard work was just how life was. I was 21 years old before I knew Manual Labor wasn't a Mexican."

Self-taught, the scrappy 5' 7" Trevino was named the PGA's Rookie of the Year in 1967 and won the U.S. Open in 1968. He was the top money winner in 1970 and was picked as the PGA Player of the Year in 1971.

He once said, "You can have brilliant ideas, but if you can't get them across, your ideas won't get you anywhere."

Nicknamed "Supermex," Trevino has been known for his showmanship and tenacity. Struck by lightning while playing in Chicago in 1975, he overcame the career-threatening injury with determination: "How can they beat me? I've been struck by lightning, had two back operations, and been divorced twice."

Today, as a passionate part of the Seniors Tour, Trevino continues to shine, winning the 2003 Champions Skins Game in Wailea, Hawaii. "I don't play much anymore, but I practice a lot," he jokingly told a reporter after the win.

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