The trophy given to the champion at The WGC’s Accenture Match Play Championship is called The Walter Hagen Cup. It is named for one of the first real golf professionals. Walter Hagen was a pioneer among golfers during a time when being a golf pro was a less then desirable occupation.
Hagen was born in Rochester, a city in upstate New York. He learned the game as a caddy at the Country Club of Rochester and the famous Oak Hill Country Club. Later, he would serve as Oak Hill’s pro and won many tournaments while he was the pro there. In the early 1900’s the life of a golf pro was considered a very low level job. They were considered hired help much like the maids, butlers and groundskeepers. The pros made little money from the course and supplemented their income by giving lessons to the members, building clubs and some were able to, with their clubs permission, compete in professional tournaments. Hagen was one of these professionals.
Hagen was a gifted athlete and thought about playing baseball instead of golf. After playing in the historic 1913 US Open, won by amateur Francis Ouimet, Hagen had decided he would play baseball. A member of his club offered to pay his way to the 1914 Open and Hagen accepted. At the Midlothian Club in Chicago, Hagen proved his sponsor’s confidence was well founded. He won the first of his eleven majors.
Walter Hagen soon realized that he would make his living being a professional golfer and he wanted everyone to know who he was. He started to wear clothes that were not typical of other golfers. He wore the best, loudest and most flamboyant outfits he could find. He cultivated the Hagen persona. He made people want to pay money to see him, not just any golfers, but him.
Hagen was one of the biggest attractions in sports. From 1914 to the mid 1930’s Hagen changed the way a professional golfer was perceived by the public. He made being a golf pro a respectable profession. Hagen travelled the world playing golf exhibitions and tournaments. He would win the British Open four times and once when asked to come into the clubhouse to celebrate he refused. At the time, golf pros were not allowed in many clubhouses of the courses they competed at. It was actions like this that allowed the golf pro to earn a better place in society. Hagen campaigned for better treatment of golf professionals. He changed the way the world looked at golfers.
Hagen was one of the most successful golfers ever. His major win total of eleven sits in third place, behind Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods. He won the US Open twice, the British Open four times and five PGA’s, four consecutively, 1924-1927.
Much is made of the Hagen lifestyle. He enjoyed life and certainly enjoyed celebrating. The stories of his parties and celebrations are legendary but his effect on golf should not be overlooked. It is because of Hagen and his determination to change the way pro golfers were treated that today’s professional golfers enjoy a rich and lavish lifestyle.
This should not be forgotten by today’s golfer. Gene Sarazen, a hall of fame member, said,” All the professional who have a chance to go after big money today should say a silent thanks to Walter Hagen each time they stretch a check between their fingers. It was Walter Hagen who made professional golf what it is.”