Groff

Buddy Groff

BUDDY GROFF - "The roping isn't over until Buddy Groff has roped," was a common saying among those who had the pleasure of watching and competing against Buddy Groff. The trail Groff rode led to two reserve world championships, but it began near the community of Quihi, between Hondo and Bandera. At first it was a lonely struggle, with hours of practice, watching and study.

The roping wasn't easy for a youngster on the Rodeo Cowboys Association tour in those days when it was necessary to compete against acknowledged masters, like Toots Mansfield and Ray Wharton.
Groff remembers the highlights of his career, such as the day in 1946 in St. Louis when he won his first major show and the day he out-roped Toots Mansfield, a seven-time world champion, at the El Dorado Tie-Down with times of 8.9, 9.0 and 10.0 seconds.

By this time Groff was winning shows across the country, including major ones in Boston, St. Paul, Cheyenne, Spokane, and finally, Madison Square Garden. In 1954 he was named Reserve World Champion, finishing behind Don McLaughlin, and he repeated that finish in 1956, this time behind his old friend, traveling partner and hazer, Ray Wharton.