Tony Holguin

Tony Holguin (October 18, 1926 – May 14, 2009[1]) was an American professional golfer who played on the PGA Tour and the Senior PGA Tour.

Tony Holguin
Personal information
Born(1926-10-18)October 18, 1926
DiedMay 14, 2009(2009-05-14) (aged 82)
Oak Forest, Illinois
Sporting nationality United States
Career
Turned professional1948
Former tour(s)PGA Tour
Champions Tour
Professional wins6
Number of wins by tour
PGA Tour1
Best results in major championships
Masters TournamentT19: 1949
PGA ChampionshipT17: 1955
U.S. Open40th: 1956
The Open ChampionshipDNP

Holguin learned the game of golf while growing up in San Antonio, Texas during the Great Depression. His family, which was of Mexican descent, had no money and could not afford an automobile.[2] He spent much time at home, practicing his putting.

Holguin served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He won the San Antonio City Championship in 1946 and 1947. He turned professional in 1948.[3][4]

Holguin won the Mexican Open in 1949 and 1950. His best finish in a major championship was T17 at PGA Championship in 1957. The biggest win of his career came in 1953 at the Texas Open. In 1957, Holguin tied Arnold Palmer for third place in the Texas Open. His majors resume consists of three Masters, six U.S. Opens and eight PGA Championships.

At the opening round of the Bing Crosby National Pro-Am in January 1954, Holguin set the course record of 63 at the Monterey Peninsula Country Club, now known as its Dunes Course.[5][6]

Like most professional golfers of his generation, Holguin earned a living primarily as a club professional. He became club pro at Midlothian (Illinois) Country Club in 1952. He also worked at Gleneagles Country Club in Lemont, Illinois and Balmoral Woods Country Club in Crete, Illinois. In 2007, he was inducted into the Illinois Section PGA Hall of Fame.[3][4]

Holguin was the spokesman for Fairwinds, a failed development that included a Holiday Inn and future golf course. He also was to be the teaching professional at Fairwinds. A golf course was built after the development failed, which became Balmoral Woods CC.

Amateur wins
  • 1946 San Antonio City Championship
  • 1947 San Antonio City Championship

Professional wins

PGA Tour wins (1)

Other wins

this list may be incomplete

References
  1. Kosin, Phil (May 15, 2009). "Tour player, teacher, Illinois Golf Hall of Famer Tony Holguin dies from injuries suffered in fall". Chicagoland Golf. Archived from the original on June 9, 2010.
  2. Cronin, Tim (May 17, 2009). "Pro golfer was minority pioneer". Chicago Sun-Times. p. A-31. Tony Holguin, an American of Mexican descent, was a winning pro golfer in an era when it was more likely that a minority would be a caddie.
  3. Houlihan, Mike (June 27, 2004). "Retired golf pro's gripping tales put him in elite club". Chicago Sun-Times.
  4. "Erfurth, Holguin, Foulis Brothers, Miller elected to Illinois Golf Hall of Fame" (Press release). Illinois Section PGA. Archived from the original on October 22, 2007. Retrieved November 25, 2007.
  5. "Holgui's 63 sets mark in Crosby golf". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Associated Press. January 16, 1954. p. 8.
  6. "Monterey Peninsula CC". Northern California Golf Association. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
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