John Richard Harris Bio
John Richard Harris was an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour and the Champions Tour. Born on June 12, 1952, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, he achieved significant milestones in his career, including notable amateur wins and a professional career that began in 1976. Harris was known for his competitiveness and contributions to golf, both as a player and a coach, until his death from acute myeloid leukemia on September 17, 2025.
Early Life and Background
John Richard Harris was born on June 12, 1952, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and grew up in Roseau, Minnesota. He attended the University of Minnesota where he distinguished himself in both golf and hockey. Harris was the second-leading scorer on his 1974 hockey team that went on to win the national championship. His brother Robbie was a talented hockey player who played for the U.S. ice hockey team at the 1976 Winter Olympics.
Path to Golf
Harris showed early promise in golf during his college years. In the spring of 1974, he won the individual Big Ten championship in golf. That summer, he also captured the 1974 Minnesota State Amateur, establishing himself as a rising talent in the sport. These early achievements set the foundation for his future golf career and demonstrated his competitive capabilities at the amateur level.
John Richard Harris Career
Early Career (1976-1983)
Harris began his professional golf career in 1976 after earning playing privileges at the Fall 1975 PGA Tour Qualifying School. His initial professional years were marked by limited success on the PGA Tour, with his best finish being T-26 at the 1976 Hawaiian Open. Despite this modest start on the professional circuit, Harris maintained his connection to golf through his competitive spirit and dedication to improving his game.
Amateur Comeback (1983-2002)
Harris regained his amateur status in 1983 and quickly became one of the dominant players on the amateur circuit in Minnesota. During this era, he won the Minnesota State Amateur three additional times, adding to his earlier victory in 1974. He also captured the Minnesota State Mid-Amateur five times and achieved a significant milestone by winning the 1993 U.S. Amateur at the age of 41. Harris further demonstrated his golf prowess by winning the Minnesota State Open back-to-back in 1994 and 1995 while still maintaining his amateur status.
Champions Tour Era (2002-2025)
After turning 50 in June 2002, Harris began his second professional golf career on the Champions Tour. His first win during this era came in his fifth Champions Tour season at the 2006 Commerce Bank Championship. Throughout his Champions Tour career, Harris maintained a competitive record, including a playoff record of 1-0. He continued to contribute to golf beyond his playing career, taking over as director of golf at the University of Minnesota in July 2010 before resigning in June 2011 following a discrimination lawsuit.
Playing Style and Strengths
Harris was known for his competitive approach to golf and his ability to perform under pressure. His amateur career demonstrated his consistency and mental toughness, particularly in tournament play. His versatility was evident in his ability to excel in various formats, from state championships to the prestigious U.S. Amateur. Harris’s dedication to the sport extended beyond his playing career as he took on coaching roles at the University of Minnesota.
Notable Events and Milestones
Harris’s most significant achievement was winning the 1993 U.S. Amateur at the age of 41, which cemented his status as one of Minnesota’s greatest amateur golfers. His victory in the 2006 Commerce Bank Championship marked his first professional win on the Champions Tour. In recognition of his contributions to golf in Minnesota, the City of Edina named the roadway connecting Braemar Boulevard to the Braemar Golf Course clubhouse as John Harris Drive in 1990.
John Richard Harris Career Wins
John Richard Harris accumulated notable victories throughout his golf career, particularly during his amateur comeback and Champions Tour years. His wins spanned various levels of competition, from state championships to national tournaments.
Amateur Highlights
Harris dominated the amateur golf scene in Minnesota during his amateur comeback from 1983 to 2002. He won the Minnesota State Amateur three times during this period, in addition to his earlier victory in 1974. He also captured the Minnesota State Mid-Amateur five times and achieved the pinnacle of amateur golf by winning the 1993 U.S. Amateur at age 41. Harris further demonstrated his prowess by winning the Minnesota State Open in both 1994 and 1995 while still an amateur.
Professional Highlights
On the Champions Tour, Harris recorded his first professional victory at the 2006 Commerce Bank Championship. This win marked a significant achievement in his second professional career and came in his fifth Champions Tour season. His Champions Tour playoff record stood at 1-0, showcasing his ability to perform in pressure situations at the professional level.
John Richard Harris Family
Family Background and Golf Lineage
John Richard Harris came from a family with athletic connections. His brother Robbie was a talented hockey player who represented the United States at the 1976 Winter Olympics. Harris married and had children, including a daughter who later married Ernie Rose, who served as Harris’s caddy during his professional career.
Personal Life
Harris lived in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, for much of his adult life. In addition to his playing career, Harris was involved in golf administration, serving as director of golf at the University of Minnesota from July 2010 to June 2011. He maintained a close connection to the golf community in Minnesota throughout his life.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marked the final year of John Richard Harris’s life as he continued to battle acute myeloid leukemia. Throughout the year, Harris remained connected to the golf community despite his health challenges. His legacy in Minnesota golf was celebrated as he approached what would be his final competitive season. Harris’s passing on September 17, 2025, at the age of 73, brought an end to a remarkable career that spanned nearly five decades in golf, from his early amateur days to his professional achievements on both the PGA Tour and Champions Tour.