Bert Yancey

Background

Yancey was born in Chipley, Florida, but lived much of his adult life in the Atlanta metro area.

Education

He attended college at the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, and was captain of the golf team

Career

He suffered from a debilitating illness known then as manic-depressive illness, but today it is more commonly called bipolar disorder. His illness first manifested itself during his senior year at West Point. He spent nine months in an Army psychiatric hospital in Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, before being honorably discharged.

Yancey"s condition was largely in remission until 1974, which allowed him to participate in competitive golf.

He also had six top-5 finishes in major championships: 1967 Masters Tournament (3rd), 1968 Masters Tournament (3rd), 1968 United States. Open (3rd), 1970 Masters Tournament (4th), 1973 Open Championship (5th), 1974 United States. Open (T-3). In 1974, Yancey"s illness resurfaced and led him to be involved in a series of bizarre incidents, for which he was at various times arrested, incarcerated, and institutionalized.

One such incident occurred at LaGuardia Airport in 1975. Yancey climbed up on a ladder in the terminal and ordered all white people to one side and all black people to the other, and then proceeded to preach on the evils of racism.

During the same incident, he claimed to have all of Howard Hughes" money and stated that he was going to use it to cure cancer.

Yancey credited Doctor Jane Parker of Payne Whitney Hospital for correctly diagnosing his condition and prescribing lithium. Lithium, however, caused him to have hand tremors, which forced him to retire from competitive golf. He was able to resume competitive play, however, when Tegretol became available.

In 1984, he took a teaching pro job at three South Carolina clubs.

He joined the Senior Professional Golf Association Tour after reaching the age of 50 in August 1988. During the last five years of his life he became a devoted public speaker and advocate for those with mental illnesses.

He formed Bogeys, Birdies & Bert, a group “for the education and support of depressive illnesses” in an effort to spread the message on manic depression and mental illness. He also put on seminars, golfing clinics, tournaments and other charitable events to raise money to treat illness and educate the public.

Yancey suffered a heart attack at age 56 at the 1994 Franklin Quest Championship in Park City, Utah.

He went into cardiac arrest in the scorer"s tent as he was preparing to go out on the course for the first round, and was pronounced dead at a local hospital a short time later. He is interred at Oakland Cemetery in Tallahassee, Florida, not far from his boyhood home. The Bert Yancey Mental Health Golf Tournament, based in Augusta, Georgia, is held annually to benefit local chapters of non-profit national organizations Mental Health America, National Alliance on Mental Illness, and the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance.

Professional Golf Association Tour wins (7) Other wins this list is probably incomplete DNP = Did not play World Development = Withdrew CUT = missed the half-way cut "T" indicates a tie for a place Yellow background for top-10 Summary Most consecutive cuts made – 14 (1971 United States Open – 1975 Masters) Longest streak of top-10s – 2 (1968 Masters – 1968 United States Open).

Achievements

• This list is probably incomplete 1962 South Carolina Open 1963 Pennsylvania Open Championship 1969 Argentine Masters.

Membership

Yancey was eventually able to return to life as a productive member of society.