As happened often in those days, Hagen left school at 12 and became a caddie at one of the clubs near his home, Rochester Country Club, where years later he was to work as a professional. The young Hagen worked at other jobs until he could, at last, live on golf alone. He was, for example, a taxidermist, and he played baseball as a semi-professional, once receiving an invitation to join one of the major league teams — which he declined so he could compete in a golf tournament.
Walter won the tournament: he was 21 and it was nothing less than the US Open. As well as these sporting successes - Hagen captained the US team in the first six Ryder Cups and entered the World Golf Hall of Fame in — he was also well known for the glamour he introduced to the world of golf.
He was a consummate dandy, always smartly dressed in tournaments. He was, in fact, the first sports star to be included in the list of Best-Dressed Americans. His life was colourful both on and off the course. He won a lot of money — and squandered handfuls.
He stayed in the best hotels, organised stunning parties, and rented amazing limousines to take him to tournaments — parking them next to the first tee. However, his magnificent short game overcame any shortcomings with his long one. This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience Cookies Policy. Remember Me. Prev Next. He played hundreds of exhibitions around the world, heavily contributing to the growing popularity of golf at the time.
He was widely known for his style and tournament wardrobes, his dashing and assertive character, and his significant wealth gained through both tournament winnings and lucrative endorsement deals.
Hagen died in in Traverse City, Michigan at the age of 76, after battling throat cancer for almost half a decade. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in the charter class The Korn Ferry trademark is also a registered trademark, and is used in the Korn Ferry Tour logo with permission.
To watch in a smaller size, scroll down while your video is playing. Did you know you can save your preferences across all your digital devices and platforms simply by creating a profile? Would you like to get started? Please enter a valid email address. Thank you for subscribing. Walter Hagen.
Rochester, New York. Everything Articles Videos Photos. No Recent Activity from. No Recent Article Activity from. No Recent Video Activity from. No Recent Photo Activity from. Odds and Lines are subject to change See Odds Leaderboard. Season Career Tournament Majors. Season Course. No additional profile information available.
Walter Hagen Full Name. December 21, Birthday. Rochester, New York Birthplace. Walter, Jr. Indu Hall of Fame. Began swinging a golf club on his family's Michigan farm at age 5. Grew up with an interest in taxidermy and stuffed birds and reptiles as a boy. By his late teens, he had received a license from the state of New York to practice taxidermy.
Was an accomplished baseball player and played semi-pro ball. Was well known for his elegant fashion sense, both on and off the golf course. At one time, he hired a Rolls-Royce as a changing room at The Open Championship because professionals were not allowed into the clubhouse at the time. Was also credited with adding color to his fashion on the golf course, and he favored two-toned shoes.
Divorced his wife, Edna Strauss in In , suffered through a tragedy when his year-old grandson, Walter Hagen III, died following an accidental handgun shooting at the boy's home in Michigan. Was an original member of the World Golf Hall of Fame. By his estimation, he played in 2, tournaments and exhibitions during his career. In , began an affiliation with Pasadena GC in St. Petersburg, site of his exhibition matches against Bobby Jones a year earlier.
Passed away in Traverse City, Mich. He shot an opening-round 87 and withdrew. Played his final five holes in the first round in 1-under to beat Gil Sellers. In the afternoon, he beat Vic Ghezzi, 2 and 1, to earn his 40th and final match-play win in the event. His run ended in the quarterfinals, when he lost to Jug McSpaden, 1-up. He teamed with Gene Sarazen to finish fourth. Announced at the conclusion of the tournament that he was retiring as an active player. But it's too hard to keep in playing shape any more.
I'm all washed up," he said. Masters Tournament: Became the first player in Masters Tournament history to shoot the same score in all four rounds to T He played to the crowds and helped fans get excited about golf. Sir Walter would often show up to tournaments in limousines, sometimes pulling right up to the first tee.
His flamboyant style and personality made him one of the first big superstars and ambassador for the game. Hagen helped change the dynamic of the golf professional. When he entered the golfing world, the golf professional was below the amateur. It was looked down upon to earn money from sport.
Hagen rallied fellow professionals and played a vital role in the formation of the Professional Golfers Association of America, the PGA. He changed the landscape and brought golfers from outside to inside the clubhouse. He became the first golfer to earn a million dollars. Hagen played a critical role in the early days of the Ryder Cup, being the captain of the U. He played in his final major championship at the PGA Championship. Hagen passed away in in Traverse City, Michigan, at the age of
0コメント