Claude Harmon

Who was Claude Harmon?

Eugene Claude Harmon, Sr. was an American professional golfer and golf instructor.

Born in Savannah, Georgia, Harmon spent much of his boyhood in Florida, in the Orlando area. A youthful prodigy, he qualified for the U.S. Amateur at age 15 in 1931. Harmon was the last-ever club professional to win a major championship, winning the 1948 Masters by five shots to earn $2,500. He was a semi-finalist three times in the PGA Championship, competing as a club pro against full-time tour players.

From 1945 to 1978, Harmon was the head professional at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York, and also served as the winter professional for many years at the Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach, Florida. In 1959, he was hired as the head professional at Thunderbird Country Club in Palm Springs, California, where he served for over a decade, and finally took a club job in Texas in the Houston area. In 1959, Harmon played in the U.S. Open at Winged Foot and placed third. He was one of the few close friends of legendary star Ben Hogan, and the two played together frequently and worked together on their games.