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Salute to Golfers who Served

Posted on August 7, 2018

Throughout the history of golf there has been a connection to military and armed services. Harkening back to the early 15th century with King James II banning golf to have citizens focus more on their archery. Leading into the mid-20th century with star golfers like Ben Hogan and Bobby Jones serving in World War II. Let’s explore how some of golf’s greats have served their country.

Back in 1457, King James II of Scotland put a ban on the game of golf. The ban came because King James II felt soldiers were getting distracted by golf and ignoring their archery. King James II needed his troops ready as tensions were building between England and Scotland. The ban was continued by his son James III and grandson James IV, but was repealed in 1502 after a treaty between England and Scotland was signed.

Through the following centuries the game of golf grew in popularity but remained an elite activity for the upper class. That trend began to change at the dawn of the 1900’s as golf’s popularity expanded from Scotland and England to America with the help of early golf celebrities like Englishman Harry Vardon and American Francis Ouimet. However just as golf was gaining ground in America the world began to battle in World War I in 1914.

During World War I golfers helped provide support to boost morale and aid wounded troops on the front line and back at home. The PGA of America assisted in raising money for an ambulance for the Red Cross. PGA of America has continued their relationship with veterans and helps continually raise money through many charity events. In Canada during the war their political leaders actually encouraged citizens to golf to help support the troops as funds went to war stamps.

Following World War I, golf’s popularity started to regain traction as stars like Walter Hagen, Gene Sarazen and Bobby Jones began to rise into the limelight. Bobby Jones, famed for his single calendar year Grand Slam, upon retiring from golf established the Augusta National Golf Club which would become the home to the Masters Tournament. Before World War II Jones and his Augusta cofounder Clifford Roberts set out to create a recreation area for soldiers at nearby Camp Gordon. The 1942 Masters Tournament helped fund a driving range, putting green, clubs and balls for Camp Gordon.

Bobby Jones & Horton Smith

At the dawn of World War II, many of golf’s early legends joined the war efforts including Bobby Jones. Jones, who was in his 40s at the time, enlisted for service and was an intelligence officer for the Army Air Corps. He rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel. The Masters Tournament was cancelled from 1943 to 1945 with Augusta National Golf Club being used then to raise cattle and turkeys.

There were quite a few Masters Tournament champions that helped in the war efforts during World War II. Horton Smith, the first Masters winner, was a first lieutenant with the Air Force and as part of the athletic branch helped organize the army’s overseas athletic projects. Jimmy Demaret won the Masters in 1940 then served in the Navy during the war and was stationed in Corpus Christi, Texas. Demaret would win the Masters again in 1947 and 1950. In the 1940 Masters Tournament right behind Jimmy Demaret with a 2nd place finish was Lloyd Mangrum. Mangrum could’ve taken a head golf pro job and miss the war but refused and served in the Army. Mangrum was wounded during the Battle of the Bulge and for his duty he received two Purple Hearts. Mangrum upon returning won his only major title at the 1946 U.S. Open championship.

Ben Hogan

Another iconic player and Masters champion Ben Hogan, who was in his 30s and the prime of his career, was drafted into service for the U.S. Army Air Forces. Hogan began serving as a physical trainer and moved up to a flight instructor at the rank of lieutenant. Two golfers who famously defeated Ben Hogan also served during World War II. Jack Fleck, who bested Hogan in 1955 to win the U.S. Open, served as quartermaster in the U.S. Navy and took part in the D-Day invasion. Herman Keiser, who accomplished an upset victory over Hogan at the 1946 Masters Tournament, served in the U.S. Navy upon the USS Cincinnati.

Prior to finishing second behind Ben Hogan at the 1953 Masters Tournament, Ed Oliver served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Oliver was also a three-time member of the Ryder Cup team in 1947 with captain Ben Hogan, 1951 with captain Sam Snead, and 1955 with captain Chick Harbert. The great Sam Snead, three-time Masters champion, served during war time beginning in 1942 in the U.S. Navy as an athletic specialist in San Diego until being medically discharged due to a back injury in 1944. Snead received permission to delay his entry into the Navy by a week to play in the 1942 PGA Championship, which he won. Byron Nelson, the third member of America’s great Triumvirate (Hogan, Snead, & Nelson), was not medically cleared for service, but put on many clinics to help raise funds for the military efforts.

Patty Berg putting on a clinic for troops.
(Image by Bettmann/CORBIS)

Everyone at the time was joining in the war efforts. LPGA founding member Patty Berg served as part of the U.S. Marine Corps as a lieutenant and procurement officer helping recruit for the corps. Outside the United States, England’s Sir Henry Cotton, three-time Open Champion, served with the Royal Air Force. Cotton spent his time in both active duty and fundraising efforts by raising money for the Red Cross through exhibition matches. Cotton earned an MBE award, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, and was knighted in recognition for his service and dedication to his country.

Golf’s connection to the military continued after World War II ended. In 1950 the charismatic Arnold Palmer enlisted in the Coast Guard and served for three years as a Yeoman. Upon returning Arnold Palmer went back to Wake Forest College before beginning his famed golf career. Palmer grew a fan following of soldiers who affectionately called themselves “Arnie’s Army.” Another charismatic and colorful golfing great who served is Lee Trevino. Trevino was a member of the Marines for four years as a machine gunner before entering the PGA Tour in 1960. According to Trevino he was promoted to Lance Corporal thanks to being a golfing partner to Marine Corps officers.

Arnold Palmer

Playing on the tour at the same time as Palmer and Trevino were a couple other servicemen Orville Moody and Larry Nelson. Orville Moody enlisted and served for the U.S. Army for 14 years, part of his time was spent developing, maintaining and providing instruction for Army golf courses. Moody competed against Trevino in Armed Forces golf events held in Asia prior to them joining the PGA Tour. Moody’s career highlight was winning the 1969 U.S. Open and he remains the last champion of the 20th century to win through qualifying at local and sectional qualifiers. Larry Nelson got drafted into the Army in 1966 and spent two years in Vietnam as an infantry A-team leader. Nelson joined the PGA Tour in 1971 and his career achievements include three major championships, 1 U.S. Open and 2 PGA Championships, and playing on three U.S. Ryder Cup teams.

Billy Casper & Clebe McClary
(Image by Julia Cervantes via Golfweek)

Another veteran turned golfer who served in Vietnam was Ed Dougherty. Dougherty joined the tour in 1969 but he didn’t clinch his first and only PGA Tour win until the 1995 Deposit Guaranty Golf Classic, now the Sanderson Farms Championship. During the Vietnam War famous golfer Billy Casper visited wounded soldiers while playing in Japan. One soldier, Clebe McClary, says Casper’s visit helped save his life because at the time people didn’t support the troops as they do today, but for McClary to know there was someone who cared helped him keep fighting to survive. Casper and McClary were reunited 46 years after that hospital visit at the 2014 Masters Tournament.

At the 2016 Quicken Loans National upcoming golfer Billy Hurley III won his first PGA Tour victory. Billy Hurley III was a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and completed five years including a tour of duty in the Persian Gulf. Billy Hurley III became a professional golfer in 2006. Playing alongside Hurley until having to take a hiatus is South Korean Sang-moon Bae. Sang-moon Bae turned professional in 2004 and has earned 15 professional wins on the PGA Tour, Japan Golf Tour, Asian Tour, and others. In 2015 Sang-moon Bae was given a ruling by the South Korean courts that he must serve on the military. In South Korea, men ages 18-35 are required by law to serve two years in the military. Prior to Sang-moon Bae another PGA Tour golfer K.J. Choi spent time serving as a rifleman in the South Korean military. K.J. Choi became a golf professional in 1994, joined the PGA Tour in 2000 and has earned 22 professional wins.

Golf continues to support the military with many charitable foundations. Folds of Honor Foundation, which provides scholarships to the spouses and children of soldiers killed or disabled in service, is one that golf has helped raise millions for. Another military outreach program is Birdies for the Brave which was founded by Phil Mickelson. Birdies for the Brave raises funds, hosts military appreciation events and allows free entrance to service members to select tournaments. At Augusta National there are still 100 badges for the Masters Tournament allocated each year for the soldiers in Fort Gordon, formerly Camp Gordon.

Military FriendlyThe Professional Golfers Career College has been awarded the designation of a Military Friendly School for the past ten years. PGCC is also a proud participant of the Yellow Ribbon Program. We’ve educated many veterans and helped them start a path into a new career in the golf industry. Our staff and faculty is filled with many veterans with all of the branches being represented. Instructors Gary Gilleon, Harrison Heublein, John Flanagan and Dr. Charles Kessler served in the Navy. Lorenzo Benavides, part of our I.T. Team, served in the Marines. Instructor Todd Liebman served in the Army and golf instructor Jack Miller spent time in the Air Force. Learn about the benefits available to veterans at PGCC here »

To those of you who’ve helped serve your nation, Thank You and happy golfing.

Categories: Golf History

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