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Top 250 Golfer Doctors in America
To take the temperature of our nation's golfer doctors, we wanted to track down 100 of the best. It was a long and difficult operation, but we managed to find them. Here they are--just a fraction of the roughly 100,000 golfers among America's 885,000 physicians.
RANKING/
NAME FIELD LOCATION INDEX COMMENT 1. Douglas Hanzel Pulmonary Medicine Savannah, Ga. + 2.3 Lives and plays at The Landings on Skidaway Island 2. Cris Barnthouse Orthopedic Surgery Kansas City, Mo. + 1.6 Kansas City Chiefs team doc is former Kansas basketball player 3. Edward Vomastek Anesthesiology Traverse City, Mich. + 1.3 Has qualified for U.S. Mid-Amateur T-4. Hap Pocras Anesthesiology Omaha + 1.0 Won Little People's Golf Championship at age 13 T-4. Steve Samuelson Ophthalmology Fremont, Neb. + 1.0 2003 Nebraska Mid-Am champ 6. Jonathan Valuck Cardiology Oklahoma City + 0.5 North American Medical Golf Assoc. champ in '00 and '04 7. Patricia Cornett Hematology/Oncology San Francisco 0 Curtis Cupper ('78, '88) named her dogs Troon, Ballybunion and Ailsa T-8. Matt Weresh Orthopedic Surgery West Des Moines, Iowa 0.2 Three-time Des Moines C C. champ; played in 1982 U. S. Junior T-8. Dan Whipple Ophthalmology Avon,Ind. 0.2 Built network of expert consultants through golf 10. Peter Parker General Surgery Winston-Salem, N.C. 0.3 Runner-up in '05 N C. Super Senior T-11. Joseph Andriole Radiology Orlando 0.4 Has played in U.S., British and Canadian Amateurs T-11. George Pipoly Medical Oncology Toledo, Ohio 0.4 Top doc at Sylvania (Ohio) Country Club T-11. Philip Zambos Radiology Flatwoods, Ky. 0.4 Reigning club champ at Guyan G. C C. in Huntington, W .Va. 14. Bradley Kropp Pediatric Urology Oklahoma City 0.5 Two-time All-American at Ohio Wesleyan; neighbor of Bob Tway 15. David Jude Obstetrics and Gynecology Huntington, W.Va. 0.6 Runner-up in '06 W.Va. Mid-Am; seventh in '04 W.Va. Open T-16. Richard Ruffin Orthopedic Surgery Oklahoma City 0.7 Recommends many patients switch from steel to graphite T-16. Joe Frank Terrell General Medicine Brewton, Ala. 0.7 Played golf for the University of Alabama in the 1960s 18. Luke Knox Neurosurgery Fayetteville, Ark. 1.1 Dad steered him away from a pro golf career T-19. Mary Budke Emergency Medicine Eugene, Ore. 1.3 1972 U.S. Women's Amateur champion T-19. W. Clark Hargrove III Cardiac Surgery Philadelphia 1.3 Clinical Dir., Cardiothoracic Surgery, Presbyterian Med. Center T-19. John Winston Siebert Plastic Surgery New York City 1.3 Pioneered microsurgery on facial deformities, aesthetic surgery 22. Sally Voss Krueger Anesthesiology Walnut Creek, Calif. 1.4 Perennial San Francisco City champ; played in ATT at Pebble 23. Terrell Coffield Radiology Bennington, Vt. 1.5 Uses cross-country skiing to stay in shape for golf T-24. Joe Lewis Cardiology West Chester, Pa. 1.7 Son and grandson of golf professionals T-24. Pem Rosal Internal Medicine Smyrna, Del. 1.7 Had a hole cut into his office carpet for daily putting practice T-26. Richard Rink Pediatric Urology Indianapolis 1.9 Teaches at Indiana University School of Medicine T-26. Robert Weaver Urology Orlando 1.9 Specializes in urologic cancer and robotic surgery T-28. Craig Hopple Internal Medicine Toledo, Ohio 2 Has won Toledo Golf Assoc. Husband/Wife and Father/Son T-28. Mark McBride Orthopedic Surgery Morristown, N.J. 2 Played on Stanford's golf team in the 1970s T-28. John Van Natta Psychiatry Palo Alto, Calif. 2 Played for Case Western Reserve; won '02 Stanford Seniors T-28. Thomas Win Radiology Toledo, Ohio 2 Often plays solo but made hole-in-one at a health-care event 32 Grant Liu Neurology Philadelpia 2.1 Writing a book on brain-eye coordination in golf 33. Carl Sanfelippo Urology Birmingham, Ala. 2.3 Ex-caddie attended Univ. of Wisconsin on an Evans Scholarship T-34. Alan Graham Vascular Surgery New Brunswick, N.J. 2.4 Chair, Vascular Surgery, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School T-34. Ed Lewis Orthopedic Surgery Austin 2.4 Works on game with Chuck Cook; treats PGA Tour players T-34. Chris Lombardozzi Emergency Medicine Spartan burg, S.C. 2.4 All-Ivy at Columbia; mo ved to S. C. with golf in mind T-34. Ed Reidy Physical Medicine Rehabilitation Pittsburgh 2.4 All-Ivy at Cornell; son of former N Y. State Golf Assoc. director 38. Paul Wuthrich Ophthalmology Bryan, Tex. 2.5 Urges use of sunglasses to prevent macular degeneration T-39. Stan Smazal Radiology Englewood, Colo. 2.6 Twice club champ at Cherry Hills, three times at Castle Pines T-39. John Valade Internal Medicine Toledo, Ohio 2.6 Credits club pros at Sylvania C C. for his improvement 41. Robert Wharen Neurosurgery Jacksonville 2.7 Co-investigator, Mayo Clinic Study of the yips 42. Craig Aronchick Gastroenterology Philadelphia 2.8 Helped develop pre-colonoscopy pill Visicol 43. David Sibley Cardiology Birmingham, Ala. 2.9 Worked with Bob Toski at Ocean Reef, on range at Miami Lakes 44. Doug Willhoite Cardiology Kansas City, Kan. 3.2 Frequent golf partner of medical partner Harbrecht (No. T-66) 45. Gary Ramage Family Medicine Watford City, N.D. 3.3 Helped improve home course by designing new tees, hazards T-46. Mike Graham Orthopedic Surgery Houston 3.4 Specializes in spine surgery T-46. Robert Sutherland Orthopedic Surgery Wyomissing, Pa. 3.4 Club champ at Oakmont C C. ('96) and Saucon Valley C C. ('88) T-48. Mark David Lorenze Orthopedic Surgery/Sports Medicine Essex, Conn. 3.5 1983 Connecticut Junior runner-up; 1988 Yale golf captain T-48. Norman (Butch) Noe Pediatric Urology Memphis 3.5 Chief, Ped. Urology, Dept. of Surgery, St. Jude Children's T-48. John Owens Cardiologist Woodbury, N.J. 3.5 Once resuscitated early golf mentor at a golf banquet T-48. Richard Rand Plastic Surgery Bellevue, Wash. 3.5 Aced old fifth hole at Pebble Beach a few days after 1972 U S. Open T-52. Jeff DeFrancisco Internal Medicine Des Moines 3.6 Insists on walking and carrying his bag T-52. Joseph S. Hacker III Gastroenterology Newark, Del. 3.6 Chair of Legislation for the Medical Society of Delaware T-52. Girard Robinson Psychiatry Cumberland, Me. 3.6 Department Chief, Maine Medical Center T-52. Mark Socinski Medical Oncology Raleigh, N.C. 3.6 One of many docs who honed skills watching golf on TV T-56. James Bradley Orthopedic Surgery Pittsburgh 3.7 Pittsburgh Steelers team doc; says golf is "a catharsis after work" T-56. Byung Kim Anesthesiology Mount Kisco, N.Y. 3.7 Former club and senior club champ at Ardsley C C. 58. Greg Fairlie Family Medicine Oklahoma City 3.8 Isn't as good as wife, LeeAnn, a plus-1.8 T-59. Andrew Jaffe Dermatology Naples, Fla. 3.9 Performs Mohs micrographic surgery for skin cancers T-59. Michael Martin Internal Medicine Portsmouth, Ohio 3.9 Planning to attend Ryder Cup in Ireland T-59. Patrick Pasquariello Pediatrics Philadelphia 3.9 Chronic Fatigue specialist T-59. Ira Handler Psychiatry Butler, Pa. 4 Directs Butler Memorial's Gero-Psychiatry Unit T-62. Richard L. Harris Infectious Diseases Houston 4 Member, Baylor School of Medicine Hall of Fame T-62. Stephen Lane Ophthalmology St. Paul, Minn. 4 Past President, American Society Of Cataract Refractive Surgery 65. Sean Duerr General Surgery Stratford, Conn. 4.3 Performed first laparoscopic gall-bladder surgery in Conn, in 1990 T-66. Richard N. Baker Ophthalmology Houston 4.4 Co-founder of biennial match: Champions G.C. vs. Royal Portrush T-66. David Ewalt Pediatric Urology Dallas 4.4 One of D Magazine's Best Doctors in Dallas T-66. James Harbrecht Cardiology Kansas City, Kan. 4.4 Plays better in match play than stroke play T-66. Howard Williams III Anesthesiology Atlanta 4.4 Pain management specialist with many golf patients T-70. Wiliam Creevy Orthopedic Surgery Boston 4.5 Member at The Country Club (Brookline) and Kittansett Club T-70. Mark Wilchinsky Orthopedic Surgery Bridgeport, Conn. 4.5 Sees double-knee replacement in his own future 72. John Leonetti Otolaryngology Maywood, Ill. 4.6 Director, Loyola's Center for Cranial Base Surgery T-73. Peter Cotton Gastroenterology Charleston, S.C. 4.7 Caddied for son Andy in '86 and '88 British Opens T-73. Lee Irving Obstetrics Gynecology Grand Rapids, Mich. 4.7 Past president, American College of Osteopathic OB/GYNs T-73. Glenn Perry Orthopedic Surgery Charlotte 4.7 Team doctor for NBA's Charlotte Bobcats T-73. Peter Sneed Ophthalmology Leland, Mich. 4.7 Agrees with Bobby Jones: Golf is played between the ears 77. Steven Hotze Allergy Immunology Katy, Tex. 4.8 Hormones advocate 78. Harrison Pierce Pediatrics New Canaan, Conn. 4.9 Childhood friend of Butch Harmon at Wykagyl C.C. (New Rochelle, N.Y.) T-79. Douglas Fraker General Surgery Philadelphia 5 Vice chairman, Dept. of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania T-79. J. Malcolm Moore Urology Little Rock 5 Has represented Arkansas in Senior Challenge 81. Scott Brazer Gastroenterology Durham, N.C. 5.1 Started playing with his dad at age 4 T-82. Steven Kahn Orthopedic Surgery Cherry Hills, N.J. 5.2 Focuses on vascular, oncologic, thyroid and parathyroid T-82. Daniel Sexton Infectious Diseases Durham, N.C. 5.2 Part of Duke's Endocarditis Service 84. Michael Berkoben Nephrology Durham, N.C. 5.3 Focus is on end-stage renal disease T-85. Jewell Malick Obstetrics Gynecology Rockwall, Tex. 5.4 Finished 12th in '05 Women's Southern Golf Assoc. Senior T-85. Chester Maxson Gastroenterology Jupiter, Fla. 5.4 Chief of Staff, Jupiter Medical Center; Medical Dir., Seminole Golf Club T-85. Robert Solomon Neurosurgery New York City 5.4 Department chair at Columbia Presbyterian T-88. Peter B. Anderson Gastroenterologist Lebanon,N.H. 5.6 Club champ at Montcalm G.C., a top-10 Best New Private in 2005 T-88. James Beaty Orthopedic Surgery Memphis 5.6 Specializes in pediatric orthopedics T-88. Leland Winston Orthopedic Surgery Houston 5.6 Former Rice football player (All-SWC tackle, 1967-'68) T-91. Ed Kosinski Cardiology Fairfield, Conn. 5.7 Interventional Cardiologist, St. Vincent's Med. Ctr., Bridgeport, Conn. T-91. James Ryan Cardiology Columbus, Ohio 5.7 Medical Director of First Aid at Jack Nicklaus' Memorial Tournament T-93. Arthur Day Neurosurgery Boston 5.8 Director, Cerebrovascular Center, Brigham Women's Hospital T-93. Kevin Hagan Plastic Surgery Nashville 5.8 Repairs cleft lips palettes at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital T-93. Michael Hallisey Vascular Interventional Radiology Hartford, Conn. 5.8 Has pioneered minimally invasive procedures in Connecticut T-93. Michael Kennelly Urology Charlotte 5.8 Director, Urology Department, Carolinas Rehabilitation T-93. Mitch Storey Sports Medicine Seattle 5.8 Team doc for baseball's Seattle Mariners T-93. Hunt Batjer Neurosurgery Chicago 6 Department chair at Northwestern's Memorial Hospital T-98. Michael Kaminer Dermatology Chestnut Hill, Mass. 6 Co-editor, Atlas of Cosmetic Surgery T-98. Barry Salky General Surgery New York City 6 Laparoscopic pioneer at New York City's Mount Sinai
RANK NAME FIELD LOCATION INDEX 101 James Lemons Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine Indianapolis, IN 6.1 T-102 Mike Howell General Surgery Fargo, ND 6.2 T-102 Andrew Tucker Orthopedic Surgery Lutherville, MD 6.2 T-102 Joseph Upton Hand Surgery Chestnut Hill, MA 6.2 105 Roy Filly Diagnostic Radiology San Francisco, CA 6.3 106 Jeffrey Greenberg Hand Surgery Indianapolis, IN 6.4 107 Bruce Brener Vascular Surgery West Orange, NJ 6.6 T-108 Sanford Kunkel Orthopedic Surgery Indianapolis, IN 6.7 T-108 Eric Winer Medical Oncology Boston, MA 6.7 110 Dennis Schaberg Internal Medicine Memphis, TN 6.8 111 William Ward Orthopedic Surgery Winston-Salem, NC 6.9 T-112 Garron Hale Obstetrics & Gynecology Scottsdale, AZ 7.0 T-112 Lee Krauth Neurological Surgery Scottsbluff, NE 7.0 T-112 John Murray Dermatology Durham, NC 7.0 T-112 Mark Myerson Orthopedic Surgery Baltimore, MD 7.0 T-116 William Kunsman Internal Medicine McKees Rocks, PA 7.1 T-116 Terrence Lock Orthopedic Surgery Detroit, MI 7.1 T-116 Gary Misamore Orthopedic Surgery Avon, IN 7.1 T-119 Richard Heitmiller Thoracic Surgery Baltimore, MD 7.2 T-119 Paul Burke Vascular Surgery North Chelmsford, MA 7.2 T-119 John Pagana Family Medicine Sunbury, PA 7.2 T-119 Steven Sahn Pulmonary Disease Charleston, SC 7.2 T-119 Dick Tschetter Opthamology Sioux Falls, SD 7.2 124 Todd Adkins Allergy & Immunology Jackson, MS 7.3 125 Drew Winston Infectious Disease Los Angeles, CA 7.5 T-126 Benjamin Byrd Cardiovascular Disease Nashville, TN 7.6 T-126 Steven Telian Otolaryngology Ann Arbor, MI 7.6 T-128 Louis Bigliani Orthopedic Surgery New York, NY 7.7 T-128 Daniel Rose General Surgery Bridgeport, CT 7.7 T-130 Roger Blumenthal Cardiovascular Disease Baltimore, MD 7.8 T-130 Patrick Connor Orthopedic Surgery Charlotte, NC 7.8 T-130 Michael Krowka Pulmonary Disease Rochester, MN 7.8 T-133 David Albertson General Surgery Winston-Salem, NC 7.9 T-133 John Popovich Pulmonary Disease Detroit, MI 7.9 T-135 Robert Bahnson Urology Columbus, OH 8.0 T-135 David Bradford Orthopedic Surgery San Francisco, CA 8.0 T-135 William Farrar General Surgery Columbus, OH 8.0 T-135 Thomas Slama Infectious Disease Indianapolis, IN 8.0 T-139 Frederick Brown Neurological Surgery Chicago, IL 8.1 T-139 Louis Bucky Plastic Surgery Philadelpia, PA 8.1 T-141 Clay Cockerell Dermatology Dallas, TX 8.2 T-141 John Walkup Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Baltimore, MD 8.2 T-143 Blaine Braniff Cardiology Santa Barbara, CA 8.3 T-143 Donald Brief General Surgery Millburn, NJ 8.3 T-143 Michael Dang Thoracic Surgery Honolulu, HI 8.3 T-146 William Courtney Obstetrics & Gynecology Greensburg, PA 8.4 T-146 Michael Grayson Cardiology Charleston, SC 8.4 148 Michael Belkin Vascular Surgery Boston, MA 8.5 T-149 Andrew Koman Hand Surgery Winston-Salem, NC 8.7 T-149 Rodger Liddle Gastroenterology Durham, NC 8.7 151 Sherwin Ho Sports Medicine Chicago, IL 8.8 T-152 W. Dilworth Cannon Orthopedic Surgery San Francisco, CA 9.0 T-152 William Healy Orthopedic Surgery Burlington, MA 9.0 T-154 David Adams Thoracic Surgery New York, NY 9.1 T-154 Stephen Nicholas Orthopedic Surgery New York, NY 9.1 T-156 Hubert Greenway Dermatology La Jolla, CA 9.2 T-156 John Hammon Thoracic Surgery Winston-Salem, NC 9.2 T-156 Scott Lindblom Internal Medicine Charlotte, NC 9.2 159 James Harkema General Surgery Lansing, MI 9.3 T-160 Trey Holland Urology Carmel, IN 9.4 T-160 David Lavine Plastic Surgery Dallas, TX 9.4 T-160 Keith Raskin Hand Surgery New York, NY 9.4 163 Frank Konicek Gastroenterology Elgin, IL 9.5 T-164 Paul McAfee Orthopedic Surgery Towson, MD 9.6 T-164 William Donaldson III Orthopedic Surgery Pittsburgh, PA 9.6 T-164 Carmack Holmes Thoracic Surgery Los Angeles, CA 9.6 T-164 Michael Lavyne Neurological Surgery New York, NY 9.6 168 Robert Osher Opthamology Cincinatti, OH 9.7 T-169 Howard Katz Pulmonary Medicine Lake Forest, IL 9.8 T-169 Scott Spear Plastic Surgery Washington, DC 9.8 T-171 William Barry Cardiology Salt Lake City, UT 9.9 T-171 Paul Lichter Opthamology Ann Arbor, MI 9.9 T-171 James Lipstate Rheumatology Lafayette, LA 9.9 T-171 Raymond Strocko Occupational Medicine Wilmington, DE 9.9 T-175 Charles Burke Orthopedic Surgery Philadelpia, PA 10.0 T-175 Ralph DeFronzo Endocrinology San Antonio, TX 10.0 T-175 Jon Friedman Internal Medicine Cypress, CA 10.0 T-175 Joel Heger Cardiovascular Disease Pasadena, CA 10.0 T-175 Rahul Nath Plastic Surgery Houston, TX 10.0 T-175 Gene Nattie Pulmonary Medicine Lebanon, NH 10.0 T-181 Dan Cooper Orthopedic Surgery Dallas, TX 10.1 T-181 Worth Parker Pulmonary Medicine Lebanon, NH 10.1 T-181 Thomas Schwenk Sports Medicine Ann Arbor, MI 10.1 T-184 Robert Quencer Neuroradiology Miami, FL 10.2 T-184 Bennett Roth Gastroenterology Los Angeles, CA 10.2 T-184 Edward Verrier Thoracic Surgery Seattle, WA 10.2 T-187 Gerald Andriole Urology St. Louis, MO 10.3 T-187 Jerry Barron Orthopedic Surgery Charlotte, NC 10.3 T-187 Steve Berman Infectious Disease Honolulu, HI 10.3 T-187 William Dodds Reproductive Endocrinology Grand Rapids, MI 10.3 191 Fritz Barton Plastic Surgery Dallas, TX 10.4 T-192 James Carraway Plastic Surgery Virginia Beach, VA 10.5 T-192 Rollin Daniel Plastic Surgery Newport Beach, CA 10.5 T-192 Andrew Dossett Orthopedic Surgery Dallas, TX 10.5 T-192 Lee Grant Orthopedic Surgery Fort Collins, CO 10.5 T-196 Max April Pediatric Otolaryngology New York, NY 10.6 T-196 Mark Heidt Neurological Surgery Birmingham, AL 10.6 T-196 Robert Orthopedic Surgeon Cincinnati, OH 10.6 T-196 Tae Kwon Gynecologic Oncology White Plains, NY 10.6 T-200 Jon E. Browne Orthopedic Surgery Kansas City, MO 10.7 T-200 Alan Dalkin Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism Charlottesville, VA 10.7 T-200 Tom Ghuman Opthamology Bonita Springs, FL 10.7 T-200 Jack Holladay Opthamology Houston, TX 10.7 T-200 Ira Papel Otolaryngology Owens Mills, MD 10.7 T-200 Charles Reasner Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism San Antonio, TX 10.7 T-200 Hartzell Schaff Thoracic Surgery Rochester, MN 10.7 T-200 Kapil Sethi Neurology Augusta, GA 10.7 T-208 Robert Califf Cardiovascular Disease Durham, NC 10.8 T-208 Dale McCord Medical Oncology Atlanta, GA 10.8 T-208 Daniel Ullyot Cardiology Burlingame, CA 10.8 T-208 Lawrence Wechsler Neurology Pittsburgh, PA 10.8 T-208 Gregory Boren Pathology Cincinatti, OH 10.8 T-213 Gerald Finerman Orthopedic Surgery Los Angeles, CA 10.9 T-213 Bernard Markowitz Plastic Surgery Los Angeles, CA 10.9 T-213 Hugh McLeod Orthopedic Surgery Marietta, GA 10.9 T-213 Neil Swanson Dermatology Portland, OR 10.9 217 Rick Granaghan Radiology Fort Worth, TX 11.0 T-218 Richard Hinton Orthopedic Surgery Baltimore, MD 11.2 T-218 Thomas O'Donnell Vascular Surgery Boston, MA 11.2 T-220 Mark Bowen Orthopedic Surgeon Chicago, IL 11.3 T-220 Ralph Dacey Neurological Surgery St. Louis, MO 11.3 T-220 Alan Graber Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism Nashville, TN 11.3 223 Wallace Neblett Pediatric Surgery Nashville, TN 11.4 T-224 Joseph Benevenia Orthopedic Surgery Newark, NJ 11.5 T-224 George Todd Vascular Surgery New York, NY 11.5 T-226 James Kasser Orthopedic Surgery Boston, MA 11.7 T-226 Raymond Reilly Obstetrics & Gynecology Brookline, MA 11.7 228 Robert Wilkinson Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Honolulu, HI 11.8 229 Donald Russ Internal Medicine Charlotte, NC 11.9 T-230 Wade Faeber Orthopedic Surgery Temecula, CA 12 T-230 William Fulkerson Pulmonary Disease Durham, NC 12 T-230 Norman Scott Orthopedic Surgery Bronx, NY 12 T-233 Neil Green Orthopedic Surgery Nashville, TN 12.1 T-233 Joseph R. Muldoon Cardiology Evanston, IL 12.1 T-233 Stewart Perlman Anesthesiology Nashville, TN 12.1 T-233 Thomas Zdeblick Orthopedic Surgery Madison, WI 12.1 T-233 John Zitelli Dermatology Pittsburgh, PA 12.1 T-238 David James Gastroenterology Tulsa, OK 12.2 T-238 David Altchek Sports Medicine New York, NY 12.2 T-238 Struan Coleman Orthopedic Surgery New York, NY 12.2 T-238 Michael Neuwirth Orthopedic Surgery New York, NY 12.2 T-238 Miguel Sanchez Pathology Englewood, NJ 12.2 T-243 Dudley Danoff Urology Los Angeles, CA 12.3 T-243 Steven Giannotta Neurological Surgery Los Angeles, CA 12.3 T-243 O Wayne Isom Thoracic Surgery New York, NY 12.3 T-243 James Salz Opthamology Los Angeles, CA 12.3 T-243 Pierce Scranton Orthopedic Surgery Seattle, WA 12.3 T-248 Cristo Papasakelariou Obstetrics & Gynecology Houston, TX 12.4 T-248 Joseph Bavaria Thoracic Surgery Philadelpia, PA 12.4 T-248 Frank Commisa Orthopedic Surgery New York, NY 12.4