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The
Fabulous Life of "The Haig" |
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By
Greg Smith
Manager of Media Relations
Nicknamed “The Haig,” Walter Hagen finished his
professional career with 11 majors, second only to Jack Nicklaus.
Hagen will forever be remembered not only for his achievements
on the course, but the flamboyant style he brought to the game
and the status he reached off the course.
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Walter
Hagen |
The
great Gene Sarazen had this to say about Hagen: “All the
professionals should say a silent thanks to Walter Hagen each
time they stretch a check between their fingers. It was Walter
who made professional golf what it is.”
Born Dec. 21, 1892 in Rochester, N.Y., Hagen began his golf
career as a caddie, a far reach from the status he would later
achieve. He spent much of his youth caddying at nearby Oak Hill
Country Club, where he would later serve as head pro. It was
at this historic course that Hagen learned the game of golf
and honed his skills.
Hagen tasted his first professional success at the age of 22,
winning the 1914 U.S. Open. Hagen’s career would really
take off in the mid-1920s.
In all, Hagen won 11 majors, including five PGA Championships,
four of them consecutively. He also won the Western Open, which
at that time was considered a major, five times.
Hagen’s professional achievements also include four British
Open titles, and 44 PGA TOUR victories. He was captain of each
of the first six Ryder Cup teams, but Hagen will forever be
remembered for the glamour he brought to the game, being the
first athlete named to the list of Best Dressed Americans.
His flair for the dramatics and ability to bounce back from
poor tee shots often left his opponents bewildered. After losing
a 72-hole match to Hagen, Bobby Jones was left to wonder: “When
a man misses his drive, and then misses his second shot, and
then wins the hole with a birdie, it gets my goat.”
His ability to get away with mistakes fit perfectly into the
life Hagen lived off the course. He was known for legitimizing
the PGA TOUR and professional athletes around the world. Hagen
was a pioneer of product endorsement among golfers, and he is
believed to be the first athlete to earn $1 million in a career.
He was also known for his lavish parties and wild spending.
Hagen will forever be remembered for his amazing win totals
in majors, and the work he did to promote the standing of professional
athletes around the world. He made the game fun for players
and fans.
Before Hagen passed away in 1969, he was quoted as saying, “I
never wanted to be a millionaire. I just wanted to live like
one.” |
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