Born in San Gabriel, Calif, Gary McCord’s second career in golf has made him a longtime and defining voice of the game. 

After moving further east in Southern California, McCord graduated from Ramona High School before attending the University of California, Riverside, just seven miles away. As a member of the Highlanders men’s golf team, McCord was a two-time All-American and won the NCAA Division II individual championship in 1970. 

In 1971, after graduating, McCord turned professional and spent nearly 15 years on the PGA Tour playing in over 400 events. He amassed 24 top-10 finishes, including second-place showings at the 1975 and 1977 Greater Milwaukee Open. Although McCord never won on the PGA Tour, he entered a single event on the Korn Ferry Tour (then called the Ben Hogan Tour), won it and never played another on that circuit. 

Before McCord was eligible by age to play the PGA Tour Champions, he joined CBS as a golf broadcaster, enjoying a second career that famously lasted over 30 years. Known for his playful banter and raw sense of humor, McCord was a fan-favorite and a distinguishable voice all the way through his final season in 2020.

In 1999, McCord won twice on the then PGA Senior Tour and enjoyed a very successful run on that circuit, winning over $4.5 million in prize money.

McCord was a commentator in the best-selling Tiger Woods PGA Tour video game series by EA Sports and appeared as himself in the 1996 film, Tin Cup, where he also served as the technical director. He has also authored two books about golf, A Range Ball in a Box of Titleists and Golf for Dummies.