Associated Press photo

In a span of 10 years, Billy Burke rose from a full-time job as a mold caster at a Naugatuck iron foundry to the 1931 U.S. Open champion. It remains as remarkable a tale today as it was 81 years ago.

Burke — born Burkowski — was the son of a Polish immigrant blue-collar worker. He fell in love with golf when, as a frail 12-year-old, he caddied for the first time at Naugatuck Golf Club.

Read Chip Malafronte's full story

The write up and scores from 1931

GolfWeek's look back to 1931

Here's a video from YouTube that could include Billy Burke in 1931 at the U.S. Open.