Fred Couples was born October 3, 1959, in Seattle, Washington. Nicknamed “Boom Boom” and “Freddie Cool,” Couples is one of professional golf's calmest customers. Couples is also known as “King of the Silly Season,” a nickname he earned after winning 5 Skins Games and a host of other playful golf events.

On the serious side of the sport, Couples took a Masters victory in 1992, the same year he earned honors of PGA Player of the Year, and has a total of 46 professional Tour victories. He was also the PGA Tour Player of the Year in 1991 and '92, and won both the Vardon Trophy and Byron Nelson Award the same years.

Couples grew up around golf in Seattle. His father worked for the city's Parks and Recreation Department, and a young Freddie was a caddy for local players. In fact, it was a local golfer who gave Couples his first set of golf clubs: a small set of irons, a putter and a driver.

After a few years of constant practice, Couples decided to hit the amateur circuit. He became a top junior and amateur player in the area, and continued his golfing at the University of Houston, where he met and roomed with Jim Nantz. He refined his golfing skills in college, and decided to turn pro in 1980.

The first few years of professional play were unflattering for Couples. Though he had minor successes, he wouldn't score his first PGA Tour event until 1982, when he survived a 5-man playoff to win the Kemper Open. With a huge field of other great 1980's players, Couples blended in.

But he still had a few bright and shining moments: he took the TPC Players Championship from Lee Trevino in 1984; and the Byron Nelson Classic in 1987. Golf never recognized Couples as a dominant force throughout the 80's, but he was always a force to be reckoned with, showing a strong competitive side in every event.

As the 1990's arrived, so did Couple's full skill-set. He refined his game and met the new decade with a revamped, powerful swing and a much improved short game. He would win two professional events in 1991, and best that number for three pro Tour wins in 1992, sharing the Tour lead in both years.

In 1992, on top of winning the PGA Tour Player of the Year, Couples was also the No. 1 ranked player in the world for several months. Coming full circle, Couples won The Masters in 1992 and was interviewed by his old college roommate, Jim Nantz.

Couples never extended his dominance due to severe back problems during this period. The back problems would limit his playing time and overall effectiveness on the course. Though he wasn't a dominant singles golfer, Couples still took four straight World Cup of Golf titles with teammate Davis Love III. Outside of his PGA career, Couples also helps design courses, and hosts a Seattle benefit tournament.