Bill Shean's golf career began as a 13-year old caddy at Hinsdale Golf Club. Learning by playing with fellow caddies, Shean led Hinsdale High School to the 1961 IHSA championship. Shean was awarded an Evans scholarship to the University of Michigan where he graduated in 1965. Shean, a self-described “club golfer,” awakened as a competitive golfer as a senior player, winning national championships in three successive years (1998 and 2000 U.S. Senior Amateur and 1999 British Senior Amateur). Additionally, Shean has won 14 club championships including the 1995 competition at Pine Valley Golf Club. During that tournament Shean established the 36 and 54-hole competitive course records. A longtime director of the WGA, Shean also served as general chairman of the Western Open from 1985-87.