David Frost (golfer)
A South African golfer who conquered four continents with a silky swing and a steely nerve, peaking as a world top-ten force.
Born 1959 (age 67)·South African professional golfer·Birthday: September 11·Baby Boomers
Biography
David Frost emerged from the competitive South African golf scene to become a global ambassador for the sport. His game, built on a rhythmic tempo and a wizard-like short game, translated to victories from Sun City to Ohio. While he never captured a major championship, his consistency was staggering, racking up nearly 30 professional wins worldwide. His 1994 Canadian Open triumph, where he edged out Greg Norman, stands as a testament to his ability to beat the best. Frost also became a stalwart for South Africa in team competitions, contributing to an Alfred Dunhill Cup victory and representing the International side in the Presidents Cup, where his calm demeanor was an asset. In his later years, he transitioned smoothly to the senior tours, proving the durability of his classic technique.
Baby Boomers
1946–1964
The largest generation in history at the time. Shaped by postwar prosperity, the Vietnam War, the sexual revolution, and Watergate. They questioned every institution their parents built — then ran them.
David was born in 1959, placing them squarely in the Baby Boomers. The events that shaped this generation — postwar prosperity, civil rights, Vietnam, and the counterculture — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When David Was Born
The biggest hits of 1959
#1 Movie
Ben-Hur
Best Picture
Ben-Hur
#1 TV Show
Gunsmoke
David's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1959Born
Fidel Castro takes power in Cuba
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $12,400Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"The Battle of New Orleans" — Johnny HortonBest Picture: Ben-Hur
1964Started school
Civil Rights Act signed; Beatles arrive in America
Gas: $0.30/galHome: $13,450Min wage: $1.25/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"I Want to Hold Your Hand" — The BeatlesBest Picture: My Fair Lady
1972Became a teenager
Watergate break-in; last Apollo Moon mission
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $19,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" — Roberta FlackBest Picture: The Godfather
1975Could drive
Fall of Saigon ends the Vietnam War
Gas: $0.57/galHome: $27,600Min wage: $2.10/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Love Will Keep Us Together" — Captain & TennilleBest Picture: One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
1977Could vote
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1980Turned 21
John Lennon shot and killed in New York
Gas: $1.19/galHome: $47,200Min wage: $3.10/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Call Me" — BlondieBest Picture: Ordinary People
1989Turned 30
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1999Turned 40
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2009Turned 50
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2019Turned 60
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 67 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the 1994 Canadian Open, defeating Greg Norman in a playoff.
- Accumulated 29 professional tournament wins across four different continents.
- Achieved a career-high ranking inside the world's top 10 during his peak years.
- Was a member of the victorious South African team at the Alfred Dunhill Cup in 1997.
Did You Know?
He is one of the few golfers to have won professional events on six different tours.
Frost designed the Lost City Golf Course at Sun City in South Africa.
He and his wife, Susan, have a son named Sean who also became a professional golfer.
“My rhythm is my weapon; the short game is where tournaments are won.”
