Ed Furgol is a local success story. Physically injured as a youth, the New York Mills native overcame his handicap and became one of the top Professional Golfer's Association (PGA) Tour golfers in the 1950's.

As an 8-year-old, Furgol fell off a set of bars at the old Utica Hospital playground and severely damaged his left arm leaving it permanently bent at the elbow, 10 inches shorter than his right.

Furgol did not let his handicap hinder him as he won one of golf's most coveted tournaments - the 1954 U.S. Open at Baltusrol Golf Club in New Jersey - by one shot over Gene Littler.

Born Feb. 22, 1917 in New York Mills, Furgol got involved with golf at age 10 as a caddy and took up the game five years later.

He attended Sacred Heart grammar school, Assumption Academy and New York Mills High School.

Furgol won the 1934 caddy championship and won back-to-back City Amateurs in 1939 and 1940.

Furgol, now 73, was also a top amateur in the U.S. winning 13 of 14 events he entered in 1944. He turned pro the next year.

From 1945 to 1952, Furgol played more rounds of tournament golf than any other pro.

He won the 1954 Phoenix Open for his first Tour win and won the Open and the Havana International later that year. He was 1954 PG A Player of The Year.

Furgol, who won seven Tour events, had career earnings of $158,384. He played the Senior Tour from 1981 to 1985, winning $48,875.

He was a member of the 1957 U.S.

Ryder Cup team and played 21 straight U.S. Opens, 18 Masters, 12 PGA Championships and one British Open.

Furgol currently lives in Miami Shores, Fla.