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Eugenio Saraceni (Gene Sarazen)('The Squire')(unofficial)golf home | Ben Hogan | Bobby Jones | Jack Niklaus | Gary Player | Gene Sarazen | Tiger Woods Born 27th February 1902 in Harrison, New York, died 13th May 1999 in Naples. Florida. Gene Sarazen decided to change his name after achieving a hole, in one in 1918, and seeing his name in print. Born the son of an Italian immigrant carpenter in New York, his humble background meant that he, like Hogan after him, spent his early years doing whatever jobs came along. Initially apprenticed to his father, the work was not good for his health and it followed that he saught outside work taking up a position as an assistant professional . After turning pro in 1920 and becoming a PGA member on 15th March 1921 he proceeded to carve out an illustrious career for himself eventually retiring in 1973 following a hole in one at The Postage Stamp (par 3 at Royal Troon - British Open) at the age of 71. During the intervening years he worked hard at winning tournaments, and making money. Within a short period of turning pro he had won both the US Open (1922 & 1923) and the PGA Championship** (1922 & 1923) twice each. The British Open followed in 1932, PGA Championship again in 1933 and subsequently the Augusta National Tournament* in 1935 with what has been long regarded as the 'shot' of the Augusta National Tournament/Masters over the years - a double eagle 2 on the par 5 15th hole. History seems a little clouded as far as his caddy's involvement is concerned. The popular story is that: With the confident support/instruction of his caddie - 'Stovepipe' a four wood second shot of some 235 yards homed in on the cup precisely. That shot helped to shape a score of 282 to put him into a playoff with Craig Wood. The other version is that Stovepipe did not want him to risk the shot. Whichever is correct, he played it and ended up winning. Sarazen was modest enought to have said later that "That double eagle wouldn't have meant anything if I hadn't won the play-off the next day". The Augusta National Tournament win completed the very first Grand Slam of golf - it would be another 21 years before the feat was repeated by Ben Hogan (1953). Gary Player was to follow in 1965, Jack Nicklaus in 1967, 1971 & 1978 and then Tiger Woods in 2000. During his heyday Gene Sarazen was reputedly the highest earning sportsman in the world. During the 1930s he appeared to prefer making money rather than collecting titles, by appearing in exhibition matches and the like around the world. One wonders if his approach would have been different had he begun playing in the 1990's with the pots of gold available to successful players. His successes enabled him to purchased an apple farm in New York and it is from this that, as a landowner, he became known as 'The Squire'. Whilst not captaining the US Ryder Cup Team, the preferred choice being Walter Hagen, he represented his country in the first six matches from 1927. Although again chosen for the 1941 match WWII meant that it was not played. Out of a total 12 games played he won 7, drew 3 and lost 2. Golfers world wide owe a debt of gratitude to Gene Sarazen for a little invention called the sand wedge. This came about as a result of soldering extra metal to the sole of his niblick (8 or 9 iron) in order to make it heavier and broader. From 1981 until he died Gene Sarazen had been an honorary starter of the Masters alongside Sam Snead and Byron Nelson. Their ceremonial tee shots signalling the start of the tournament. Despite the passing years he remained very alert and commercially able - not a bad life for an immigrant Italian carpenter's son.
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