Background
Schlee was born in Kremmling, Colorado and grew up in Seaside, Oregon, where he was known as Jack Schlee.
Schlee was born in Kremmling, Colorado and grew up in Seaside, Oregon, where he was known as Jack Schlee.
Schlee attended Memphis State University and was a member of the golf team
He served two years in the United States. Army starting in 1957. Schlee took club pro jobs after college, and in 1965 was medalist at the inaugural Professional Golf Association Tour Qualifying Tournament (qualifying school). He was the 1966 Professional Golf Association Tour Rookie-of-the-Year making the cut in 13 events and finishing 48th on the money list.
Schlee played full-time on the Professional Golf Association Tour from 1966–1977.
He had more than 30 top-10 finishes in Professional Golf Association Tour events. Schlee had four top-10 finishes in major championships: the aforementioned solo 2nd at the 1973 United States. Open, a T10 at the 1975 Professional Golf Association Championship, a T4 at the 1976 Professional Golf Association Championship, and a T8 at 1977 Masters Tournament.
Schlee was forced into part-time play on the Professional Golf Association Tour in the mid-1970s due to a series of health problems starting with back surgery in 1975 and followed by knee surgery in 1976. Schlee took a club pro job in Rancho Viejo, Texas in June 1977 after his third serious ailment in as many years, a painful injury to his left thumb.
His last appearance was at the Kemper Open in 1978.
In 1980, Schlee began a teaching pro career at Industry Hills Golf Resort, east of Los Angeles, California. He also invented devices to help students of the game learn. In 1986, Schlee wrote a book, Maximum Golf, which was a collection of his instructional theories and a tribute to his mentor, Ben Hogan.
After reaching the age of 50 in 1989, Schlee played in a few dozen Senior Professional Golf Association Tour events but never came close to winning an event.
His best finish in this venue was a T-42. Schlee lived in Texas during most of his regular career years and in California during his senior career years.
Schlee died in a Costa Mesa, California hospital in 2000 of complications from Alzheimer"s disease. Professional Golf Association Tour wins
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 – 7 (1969 United States Open – 1973 United States Open)
Longest streak of top-10s – 2 (1976 Professional Golf Association – 1977 Masters).