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Walter HagenAmerican professional golfer
Date of Birth: 21.12.1892
Country:  USA |
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Biography of Walter Hagen
Walter Charles Hagen was an American professional golfer and a prominent figure in the sport during the first half of the 20th century. He was born in Rochester, New York, into a working-class family with German roots. Hagen developed his interest in golf at the Country Club of Rochester, where he started as a caddy. He earned ten cents per round and occasionally received an additional five cents as a tip. Hagen never missed an opportunity to swing the club himself.
Early Career
With the help of Alfred Ricketts, Hagen gradually improved his skills and became an expert player. He secured a job at a golf club and started giving lessons. At the age of 19, Hagen made his professional debut at the Canadian Open Championship in 1912, finishing in an impressive 11th place for a rookie. The following year, he surprised everyone by placing fourth in the US Open Championship. Hagen claimed that other professional players mistreated him because they knew nothing about him at the time. Determined to prove himself, Hagen vowed to appear in the US Open in 1914 and become the champion, which he successfully accomplished.
Key Figure in Golf
Hagen played a significant role in the development of professional golf. He emerged during a time when the divide between amateurs and professionals was harsh, with amateurs having advantages in some sports, including golf. This situation was dominant in Britain, the leading country in developing golf culture during Walter's career. Professional golfers were not allowed to use the amenities provided in clubhouses and even prohibited from entering through the main entrance. Hagen rented a luxurious Pierce-Arrow car during the 1920 British Open Championship, using it as his personal changing room since he was not allowed to use the lockers in the clubhouse. He hired a chauffeur who parked the expensive car near the club's entrance. This incident contributed to some extent to a change in Britain's class consciousness. In another instance, Hagen refused to enter a club's building to collect his prize because he had been denied entry before. At the 1920 US Open in Toledo, Ohio, players inspired by Hagen chipped in and presented beautiful floor clocks to the Inverness Club as a token of gratitude for allowing golfers to be on the club premises during the tournament.
Career and Legacy
Hagen represented the interests of the Country Club of Rochester at the beginning of his professional career and received comprehensive support from the club members and management when opportunities arose to compete in prestigious tournaments. Starting in 1918, Walter became the "first club professional" at the now-legendary Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. He left the club in 1919 and became the first professional golfer to compete in tournaments without club membership. Hagen further represented the Pasadena Yacht & Country Club in St. Petersburg, Florida, in the late 1920s. He had a stake in the club and elevated the status of professional golfers while influencing the growth of prize money.
Influence on Golf
Throughout his career, Hagen played hundreds of exhibition matches across the United States and around the world. These tournaments significantly contributed to the popularity of golf. Hagen also became widely known for his "dapper" wardrobe, which he showcased during his games. His expensive outfits were made of luxurious fabrics and vibrant colors. As one of the world's top golfers, Walter found that his skills were in high demand during exhibition matches, and he realized that participating in such games brought him even greater rewards than competing in most tournaments. Hagen earned substantial amounts of money by endorsing various golf equipment. He played a crucial role in assisting Wilson Sports in developing golf clubs, and they were named after him: "Walter Hagen" and "Haig Ultra." Hagen's collaboration with Wilson Sports coincided with the period when Bobby Jones, his serious competitor, was doing similar work with Spalding. Improved golf equipment allowed for a different perspective on the game and raised its standards.
Legacy
Walter Hagen likely became one of the first athletes to earn a million dollars throughout his career. He once stated that he never wanted to be a millionaire; he simply wanted to live life like everyone else. Hagen expressed his life philosophy with the following words: "Don't hurry, don't worry. You're only here for a short visit, so don't forget to smell the flowers along the way." He passed away on October 6, 1969, in Traverse City, Michigan. Hagen was portrayed by Bruce McGill in the film "The Legend of Bagger Vance" (2001) and by Jeremy Northam in the biographical movie "Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius" (2004).
