Cardinal Hall of Honor
Lamar’s emergence as a national golf power began during the Fred (Butch) Baird era.
The Galveston native was the cornerstone of a program that shot into the nation’s limelight in the late 1950s. Relying on Baird’s steady play and strong leadership, the Cardinals captured NAIA titles in 1956, 157 and 1958 and four straight Lone Star Conference titles from 1955 through 1958.
Baird was the leader. He captained the 1957 and 1958 teams, finished fourth in the medalist race in 1957 while shooting the tourney’s low round of 68, and nabbed second place in the 1958 NAIA event. Baird established his role as a clutch performer during his freshman season in 1955 when he won the Lone Star Conference medalist crown.
The only Lamar golfer to play on three national championship teams, Baird had a fine professional career. Baird, whose trademark was the wearing of a wide-brimmed hat on the course, played 23 years on the PGA Tour. He won three United States tour titles, six events on the Caribbean Tour and PGA state crowns in Texas and Florida. In 1986, Baird resumed his career as a member of the PGA Seniors Tour.
