Steve Pate Bio
Stephen Robert Pate is an American professional golfer who has competed on the PGA Tour, the Nationwide Tour and the Champions Tour. Born on May 26, 1961, in Ventura, California, Pate turned professional in 1983 after a standout college career at UCLA. Across his career he has recorded eight professional victories, including six on the PGA Tour, and he earned the PGA Tour Comeback Player of the Year award in 1999. He is also known for his work in golf course design.
Early Life and Background
Stephen Robert Pate was born on May 26, 1961, in Ventura, California, in the United States. Growing up in Southern California gave him early access to year-round golf and a strong local tournament scene. He attended UCLA, where he played on the university’s golf team and developed the competitive foundation that would carry him into the professional ranks.
At UCLA, Pate was a teammate of fellow future PGA Tour player Corey Pavin. Together they helped lead the UCLA golf team to the 1983 Pac-10 Championship, and Pate earned All-American honors that same year. His college success positioned him as one of the most promising amateur golfers in the country heading into his professional debut.
Path to Professional Golf
Following his All-American season at UCLA, Pate made the decision to leave amateur golf and turn professional in 1983. He joined the PGA Tour later that year and quickly began adjusting to the demands of weekly tournament play against established professionals.
His transition through the developmental stages of professional golf was steady, and within a few seasons he had earned enough status to compete consistently at the highest level. The early years built the experience base that would later allow him to contend in major championships and team events.
Steve Pate Career
Early Career (1983–1986)
Pate’s first years on the PGA Tour focused on establishing himself and learning the rhythms of full-time tour play. He worked on his game across varied course conditions while chasing his first professional victory. The patience of these seasons laid the groundwork for a breakthrough the following year.
PGA Tour Breakthrough (1987–1992)
Pate captured his first PGA Tour title at the 1987 Southwest Golf Classic, signaling his arrival as a winner on tour. In 1988, he won twice and finished 12th on the money list, and he also recorded a T-3 finish at the U.S. Open, one of the strongest major championship performances of his career.
The 1991 season was the peak of his prime years. Pate won the Honda Classic, recorded five top-three finishes, earned $727,997 and finished 6th on the money list. He also tied for third at the Masters Tournament, matching his best major result, and tied for seventh at the PGA Championship. That same year he was part of the United States team that won the Ryder Cup, though a three-vehicle accident at the event limited his ability to play.
His career high in the Official World Golf Ranking came during this era, reaching as high as 18th on February 23, 1992. He also finished fourth at The Open Championship in 1992, further cementing his reputation as one of the most consistent American players of the early 1990s.
Comeback Era (1996–1999)
In 1996, Pate was involved in a nearly fatal car accident in which he shattered his wrist, raising doubts about whether he would ever return to top-level competition. He worked through a long rehabilitation and gradually rebuilt his form on the PGA Tour.
His comeback reached a high point in 1999 at the Masters Tournament, where he finished T-4 and set a Masters record with seven consecutive birdies during his third round, a mark later tied by Tiger Woods. That season he finished 13th on the money list and was named the PGA Tour Comeback Player of the Year. He was also a member of the winning 1999 United States Ryder Cup team, his second Ryder Cup victory.
Later Career and Nationwide Tour (2000s)
As Pate entered his 40s, he split his playing time between the PGA Tour and what is now the Korn Ferry Tour, then known as the Nationwide Tour. In 2010, at age 48, he won the Pacific Rubiales Bogotá Open on the Nationwide Tour, his first professional victory since the 1998 CVS Charity Classic.
Champions Tour Era (2011–Present)
Pate made his Champions Tour debut on May 26, 2011, his 50th birthday, at the Senior PGA Championship. Since then he has continued to compete on the Champions Tour, adding a senior career to an already long professional résumé.
Notable Events and Milestones
Beyond his individual victories, Pate was part of the United States Ryder Cup teams that won in both 1991 and 1999, making him a two-time member of victorious American sides. His seven consecutive birdies at the 1999 Masters remains one of the most memorable runs in that tournament’s history.
Steve Pate Career Wins
Stephen Robert Pate has recorded eight professional wins across multiple tours. Six of those victories came on the PGA Tour, one came on the Nationwide Tour, and one additional win came in other professional competition. He has also made more than 70 top-10 finishes in PGA Tour events and has been ranked inside the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking.
PGA Tour Highlights
Pate’s first PGA Tour win came at the 1987 Southwest Golf Classic, and his most recent PGA Tour victory was at the 1998 CVS Charity Classic. His strongest seasons were 1988, when he won twice and finished 12th on the money list, and 1991, when he won the Honda Classic, posted five top-three finishes and finished 6th on the money list.
Other Wins and Performances
In 2010, Pate won the Pacific Rubiales Bogotá Open on the Nationwide Tour at age 48, his first professional victory in more than a decade. He has also added Champions Tour appearances since 2011, extending his competitive career into a fourth decade.
| Series | Wins | Top Tens | Poles |
|---|---|---|---|
| PGA Tour | 6 | 70+ | 0 |
| Nationwide Tour | 1 | N/A | 0 |
Steve Pate Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Pate’s family background is rooted in Southern California, where he grew up and still resides. His long-time residence in Westlake Village, California, reflects the deep ties he maintains with the region where he was raised.
Personal Life
Steve Pate is married to his wife, Sheri, and the couple has two children. Pate lives in Westlake Village, California, and earned the nickname “Volcano” due to his on-course temperament.
2025 Season Performance
As of 2025, Steve Pate continues his career on the Champions Tour, where he has been a regular competitor since making his debut on his 50th birthday in 2011. With eight professional wins already secured and a Comeback Player of the Year award on his résumé, Pate brings decades of experience to every Champions Tour start.
His schedule in 2025 is expected to include major Champions Tour events and selective senior majors, where he remains competitive thanks to the course-management skills refined across more than four decades of professional golf. He continues to be regarded as a respected veteran presence in the senior game.