“In Texas, You Have to Go Through Frank Wharton, and It Won’t Be Easy,” said Lee Trevino about a fellow Texan, Frank Wharton. These words now echo as golf mourns Wharton’s loss. A three-time NCAA champion and beloved mentor who passed away at 90.

Frank passed away on October 17, 2025, surrounded by family and friends. The golf icon was just nine days past his 90th birthday. His death marks the end of an era for Ohio golf and closes a remarkable chapter in the sport’s history.

Born in Austin, Texas, on October 8, 1935, Wharton discovered golf at age ten while caddying for his mother. That simple beginning sparked a passion that would define his next eight decades. His talent blossomed quickly through his teenage years, culminating in the 1954 Texas High School Individual State Title whi

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