Burton Peek
Encyclopedia
Burton F. Peek served as both President and Chairman of Deere & Company
and was a founding member of Augusta National Golf Club
. He was also the great-grand nephew of John Deere.
in Moline
, Illinois
in 1888. He worked there for 3 years before leaving to study law, eventually founding a successful law practice in 1895. He returned to Deere in 1911 as a director and vice president until June 5, 1942 when he became the fifth president of the company. On October 31, 1944 he became chairman of the board and held this position until his retirement on April 24, 1956. He continued to serve on the board of directors until his death in 1960.
, were the first two cabins constructed. Peek Cabin stands next to Eisenhower Cabin.
In an early history of Augusta National, Burton Peek was described by longtime club president Clifford Roberts
as "our top candidate for top honors as the man who hit the most golf balls in one lifetime.”
Deere & Company
Deere & Company, usually known by its brand name John Deere , is an American corporation based in Moline, Illinois, and the leading manufacturer of agricultural machinery in the world. In 2010, it was listed as 107th in the Fortune 500 ranking...
and was a founding member of Augusta National Golf Club
Augusta National Golf Club
Augusta National Golf Club, located in Augusta, Georgia, is a famous men's golf club. Founded by Bobby Jones and Clifford Roberts and designed by Alister MacKenzie on the site of a former indigo plantation, the club opened for play in January 1933. Since 1934, it has played host to the annual...
. He was also the great-grand nephew of John Deere.
Deere & Company
Peek began his career at the age of 16 in the shipping department at Deere & CompanyDeere & Company
Deere & Company, usually known by its brand name John Deere , is an American corporation based in Moline, Illinois, and the leading manufacturer of agricultural machinery in the world. In 2010, it was listed as 107th in the Fortune 500 ranking...
in Moline
Moline
- Places :In the United States:* Moline, Illinois the largest city of that name in the U.S.* Moline Township, Rock Island County, Illinois* Moline, Kansas* Moline, Michigan* Moline, Ohio- Other uses :* Moline-Knight, an early American automobile...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
in 1888. He worked there for 3 years before leaving to study law, eventually founding a successful law practice in 1895. He returned to Deere in 1911 as a director and vice president until June 5, 1942 when he became the fifth president of the company. On October 31, 1944 he became chairman of the board and held this position until his retirement on April 24, 1956. He continued to serve on the board of directors until his death in 1960.
Augusta National
Peek joined Augusta National in 1934, served as a rules official for many years, and was an influential member in the early years of the club. One of the 10 cabins at Augusta National is named in Peek's honor. Peek Cabin and Jones Cabin, built by golfing legend Bobby JonesBobby Jones (golfer)
Robert Tyre "Bobby" Jones Jr. was an American amateur golfer, and a lawyer by profession. Jones was the most successful amateur golfer ever to compete on a national and international level...
, were the first two cabins constructed. Peek Cabin stands next to Eisenhower Cabin.
In an early history of Augusta National, Burton Peek was described by longtime club president Clifford Roberts
Clifford Roberts
Clifford Roberts was an American investment dealer and golf administrator.-Biography:Born in Morning Sun, Iowa, Roberts had a troubled family life as a boy, and left school in the ninth grade. He worked at a great variety of jobs all around the United States, and eventually chose the investment...
as "our top candidate for top honors as the man who hit the most golf balls in one lifetime.”