Hagen, Walter - The Walter Hagen Story, by the Haig, Himself - Signed Edition

“I never wanted to be a millionaire—I just wanted to live like one...”—Walter Hagen

This is Walter Hagen’s own story of the two decades when he ruled the golfing world as King. Hagen not only won a major tournament every year for twenty years—a record never even approached by any other golfer—but his personality dominated the game over that period. Before he came along, professional golfers had the status of hired hands. The Haig was the man who crashed the front door of the clubhouses, and he brought along with him the entire fraternity of golf professionals.

The Haig was a magnificent showman and, in addition to changing the social standing of the golf pro, his competitive skill and flamboyant character built up public in interest in golf throughout the world. The result was perhaps best expressed in Gene Sarazen’s own memoirs when he said, “All the professionals who have a chance to go after the big money today should say silent thanks to Walter Hagen each time they stretch a check between their fingers. It was Walter Hagen who made professional golf what it is.”

The picture of sartorial elegance, he became the fashion plate that others copied for years. He was the honored guest of emperors and the tutor and personal friend of the young Edward, then Prince of Wales. An idol both at home and abroad (he won the U.S. Open twice, made the P.G.A. Championship almost his exclusive personal property through the twenties, and won the British Open four times), he toured the world with Joe Kirkwood as the most outstanding ambassador of good will that golf ever produced. All this and much more is set down in this book in a style which has the same swashbuckling flavor as characterized his long playing career.

This 1956 first edition with dust jacket, has been inscribed and autographed by Hagen:"To my good friend Ken McGuire with Fond Regards Golfingly Walter Hagen June 1956

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