Don Shirey, Jr. graduated from Fort Payne High School in 1974 and went to Auburn University on a golf scholarship. he made the traveling squad his freshman year and eventually became the #1 player for the team. After graduating in 1978, he was runner-up in the 1978 Alabama State Amateur Golf Championship. Later that fall, he turned professional and won his first event, the 1978 Alabama State Open Golf Championship. That same fall, he qualified for membership on the PGA Tour and played professionally for 18 years that included competing in two United States Open Golf Championships. His best year was 1989 when he finished in the top 125 money winners on the PGA Tour. He won 50 tournaments including The Atlanta Open, The Dixie Classic, and many events on the mini-tours of Orlando, Florida.
