Walter Charles Hagen

Walter Charles Hagen

Professional Golfer (1913 - 1942)

Walter Hagen was born in Rochester, New York and developed his golf game as a caddie at the Country Club of Rochester. Hagen’s golf game improved greatly with the help of the club professional making his professional debut at the age of 19. Hagen was a key figure in bridging the division between amateur and professional golf. During his career, Hagen won over 45 professional golf tournaments including eleven Major championships (Masters, U.S. Open, British Open and PGA Championship) plus 30 other events. Hagen captained the U.S. team in the first six and played in the first five Ryder Cup competitions. Hagen served as the first club professional at the Oakland Hills Country Club in 1918. In 2000, Hagen was rated as the seventh greatest golfer of all time by Golf Digest magazine. Walter Hagen was inducted into the inaugural class of the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974 and was inducted into the inaugural class of the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1955. He passed away on October 6, 1969 at 76 years of age.