Heafner won seven times on the PGA Tour, played on two Ryder Cup teams, and finished runner-up in the 1949 and 1951 U.S.
Often described as “fiery” and as a “fierce competitor”, Heafner played on two victorious Ryder Cup teams, in 1949 and 1951, with a four-match record of 3-0-1.
In the 1949 match, the U.S. was without Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson and Cary Middlecoff, but Heafner keyed a winning rally from a 3-1 team deficit by beating Dick Burton 3 and 2.
Heafner was also a key figure in helping Charlie Sifford break the color barrier on the PGA Tour, by playing matches against him on Mondays and providing counsel Sifford carried with him through his playing days.
Clayton and Vance are also only one of five father-son combinations to win a PGA Tour event.