GOLF / SENIORS AT LA COSTA : After 1991, Mike Hill Feels Like a Million

CARLSBAD — Mike Hill, who had quit the PGA Tour frustrated, discouraged and almost broke several years earlier, set only modest goals for himself when he joined the Senior PGA Tour.

He hoped to earn enough money to add nine holes to a golf course he owned in Brooklyn, Mich. He was amazed that he achieved his goal in such a short time.

As Hill starts his fourth season on the tour for 50-and-older golfers, in the Infiniti Tournament of Champions today at La Costa, he is far from discouraged. He is living a dream.

Hill figures to be among the favorites in the largest field ever assembled for the senior T of C. Even though Jack Nicklaus declined to compete, there are 18 tournament winners in the 72-hole event.

With a sensational finish--birdies on four of the last six holes--at the final tournament of 1991, in mid-December in Puerto Rico, Hill accomplished the following:

--Became the only golfer to win more than $1 million on a single tour last year ($1,065,657).

--Proved that his second-place tour finish to Lee Trevino in 1990 was no fluke.

--Won five events for the second consecutive year.

--Almost doubled in one season his earnings for 16 years on the regular tour.

“This was by far the biggest thing that ever happened to me,” Hill said. “I never dreamed anything like this would ever happen to me. I have trouble believing it’s real.”

Hill’s older brother, Dave, who encouraged Mike at every turn in his career, was a big name on the regular tour. He won 13 tournaments and more than $1 million. Mike won only three and the most money he won in a season was $76,000, but now he has emerged from Dave’s shadow.

Mike became eligible for the senior tour on Jan. 27, 1989, after Dave had practically forced him to get ready.

Mike Hill earned more than $400,000 without winning a tournament as a rookie, and work started on the new nine holes.

In 1990, Hill thought he had accomplished as much as he possibly could. He won five tournaments and earned $895,000. Only his longtime friend, Trevino, fared better.

Hill didn’t think he would do as well in 1991. His goal was to win a tournament and maybe $400,000.

“Except for a little back problem,” he said, “I felt great. Everything fell into place. I hit the ball as well as I can hit it most of the time. I found myself in position to win the money title.”

George Archer went into the New York Life tournament in Puerto Rico, an event for only the top 31 players, with a $55,000 lead over Hill in the standings. Hill would have to win the tournament while Archer did no better than finish third.

Hill led by two shots after 36 holes, but lost the lead on the front nine of the final round last Dec. 15. He came to the 13th tee trailing Jim Colbert by two shots, and his hopes seemed slim.

Suddenly, Hill got hot. He birdied three holes in a row to take the lead.

Colbert, playing ahead of Hill, parred out on the 18th. Mike needed only a par to win. He hit a nine-iron 134 yards to within eight inches for a birdie. With Archer finishing in a tie for fourth, it was Hill’s year.

“I just wanted to get within 10 feet to get my par on that last hole,” Hill said. “When I saw how close it was, it brought tears to my eyes.

“I didn’t know until later that I’d won bonus money and passed $1 million. I was playing with Archer, so I knew I had won the money title.

“I couldn’t believe it. I thought finishing second to Trevino was the greatest achievement I would have.

“Sandy (Hill’s wife) and I went through some tough times. When you’re making $10,000 or $12,000 a year and the mortgage on the farm is $6,000, you don’t live too high. We haven’t really changed much, but we have been able to give our kids money and buy a home for our greenskeeper. But I think we’re still the same people.”

Hill now has one major goal: He wants to win a senior major--the Open, the PGA or the Tournament Players Championship.

“I’d trade two or maybe three tournament wins for a major,” he said.