Born Oct. 30, 1953, in Greenville, Alabama, Hancock was an exceptional amateur golfer, winning the Alabama State Junior Amateur and the Alabama State Amateur. He planned on walking on to the University of Alabama team, where his brother Charles played. But University of Florida golf coach Buster Bishop became aware of Hancock, watched him play and offered him a scholarship.
Hancock quickly settled into Gainesville and became an immediate contributor as a freshman, eventually graduating with a degree in journalism. One of the highlights of his Gator career came during his freshman year, when Florida won both the 1973 Southeastern Conference Championship and then followed by upsetting No. 1-ranked Texas on its way to the 1973 NCAA Championship. Hancock began the final round four shots behind leader Ben Crenshaw and was still in contention for medalist honors well into the back nine until he hit two shots out of bounds, ending his chances.
Among his Gator teammates were future PGA TOUR players Andy Bean, Gary Koch and Woody Blackburn. Hancock picked up All-SEC honors during all four of his college seasons, including as a first-team selection as both a junior (1975) and senior. He was the Southeastern Conference Championship medalist in both 1975 and 1976, and he won the 1976 Haskins Award, presented annually to college golf’s most outstanding player.
Following graduation, Hancock turned pro and enjoyed his first success at Pinehurst, winning the 1977 PGA TOUR Spring Qualifying Tournament in June, earning his PGA TOUR playing privileges for the first time. That week, Hancock won the six-round tournament by a stroke over Wayne Levi and Lance Suzuki.
It didn’t take long for Hancock to contend in a TOUR event. At the Southern Open, three months after Q-School, Hancock tied for second, falling short of champion Jerry Pate.
A year later, Hancock had another close call at the Southern Open, again losing to Pate. The difference was in 1977, Hancock finished a distant seven shots behind Pate’s winning score. In 1978, Hancock fell by a stroke, finishing his final round 30 minutes ahead of Pate and taking the clubhouse lead. Hancock could then only watch as Pate made a late birdie to secure his second consecutive title.
Hancock’s game fell off in 1981. He made only 10 cuts in 30 starts while battling a variety of injuries. He fell from 43rd on the money list in 1980 to 138th a year later. His only other top-100 money-list finish came in 1983, when he placed 93rd. His last full PGA TOUR season came in 1985, and his last TOUR appearance was at the 1990 PGA Championship.
Hancock is survived by his wife, Jean, and his two children: Daughter, Anne Fava (Scott) of Annapolis, Maryland; and son Charles (Stephanie) of Atlanta. He has four grandchildren. Two brothers also survive him: Charles “Bunky” (Sharon) of Spanish Fort, Alabama; and David (Leshia) of Greenville, Alabama.
The family is holding a memorial service on Dec. 21 at 11 a.m., at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Greenville. The burial will also be in Greenville.
