Angel de la Torre
Encyclopedia
Angel de la Torre was a Spanish
professional golfer
and golf
instructor. He was Spain's first golf professional and his five victories in the Spanish Open
between 1916 and 1925 still stands as an unequalled record.
Playing in international events, he made the acquaintance of Ernest Jones
who had a major impact on the principles used in de la Torre's teaching. Having taught himself French and English, he was able to teach in three languages.
Returning to Madrid in 1914, he accepted the position of golf professional at the Real Club de la Puerta de Hierro in Madrid. He subsequently set the course record of 65. It was above the pro shop that his wife Juana gave birth to their two sons Luis and Manuel. In 1920 the Conde de la Cimera sponsored Angel so he could play tournaments in France, Belgium, and England. This sponsorship continued until 1925.
In 1925, he agreed to travel to the United States to play in the U.S. Open
. In that same year, upon the recommendations of Captain Allison (a premier architect who he had met in England) he was offered and accepted the position of golf professional at the outstanding new course called Timber Point Country Club in Great River Long Island, New York. He remained in that position until 1932 when he was offered the golf professional position at the new Cub de Campo in Madrid Spain where he remained until 1936, just prior to the war.
In May 1936 he traveled to London to take delivery on a set of golf clubs that he had designed. From London, he telephoned his wife and advised that he would travel to the United States to visit his long-time friend Ernest Jones. Shortly thereafter the Spanish Civil War
occurred in Spain prompting his wife and two children to flee the country in October and meet with Angel in the U.S. In December 1936, he was in California where he became a golf instructor at Brookside Municipal Golf Course in Pasadena
. Through an introduction from Bill Hickey (golf professional at Brookside), he met Eddie Loos who then offered de la Torre a position as assistant professional at Lake Shore Country Club in Glencoe, Illinois
. De la Torre subsequently became the head professional at that club and served in that capacity for 37 years. Thereafter he would continue teaching. He would teach at Tamarisk Country Club in Palm Springs in the winter months and at Glenview Naval Air Station in Glenview, Illinois
in the summer.
, followed in his father's footsteps becoming a golf professional. Manuel established an extensive playing record and has become a world famous as a golf instructor. Angel's other son Luis, became a professor at the University of Chicago and pursued a career in photography.
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
professional golfer
Professional golfer
In golf the distinction between amateurs and professionals is rigorously maintained. An amateur who breaches the rules of amateur status may lose his or her amateur status. A golfer who has lost his or her amateur status may not play in amateur competitions until amateur status has been reinstated;...
and golf
Golf
Golf is a precision club and ball sport, in which competing players use many types of clubs to hit balls into a series of holes on a golf course using the fewest number of strokes....
instructor. He was Spain's first golf professional and his five victories in the Spanish Open
Open de España
The Open de España is the national open golf championship of Spain. It was founded in 1912 and has been part of the European Tour's schedule since the inception of the Tour in 1972. Except for a five year period in the early 1980s, the tournament has been played in April or May. In 2005 it was one...
between 1916 and 1925 still stands as an unequalled record.
Playing in international events, he made the acquaintance of Ernest Jones
Ernest Jones (golfer)
Ernest Jones was an English professional golfer. He is renowned for his accomplishments in teaching many famous professional golfers as well as amateurs. He tutored Virginia Van Wie for many years, including during her stretch of three consecutive U.S. Women's Amateur Championships from 1932–34...
who had a major impact on the principles used in de la Torre's teaching. Having taught himself French and English, he was able to teach in three languages.
Introduction to golf
His uncle, Pedro de la Torre was the greenskeeper at Club de las Cuarenta Fanegas which was the first golf course in Spain. His father, Ricardo de la Torre y Torres worked on the grounds. At the age of 7 or 8, Angel began his golf journey as a caddy at the Club de las Cuarenta Fanegas. At age 13, the caddy tournament in 1910 was his first tournament victory.Career as golf professional
In the summer of 1913 the Conde de la Cimera (a principal in developing Puerta de Hierro) sent Angel to St. Jean de Luz in southern France to be assistant to Arnold Massy at the Le Nivelle Golf Club. While there, Massy was called for military service and the Golf Committee gave Angel the job of head professional. He was 17 years old.Returning to Madrid in 1914, he accepted the position of golf professional at the Real Club de la Puerta de Hierro in Madrid. He subsequently set the course record of 65. It was above the pro shop that his wife Juana gave birth to their two sons Luis and Manuel. In 1920 the Conde de la Cimera sponsored Angel so he could play tournaments in France, Belgium, and England. This sponsorship continued until 1925.
In 1925, he agreed to travel to the United States to play in the U.S. Open
U.S. Open (golf)
The United States Open Championship, commonly known as the U.S. Open, is the annual open golf tournament of the United States. It is the second of the four major championships in golf, and is on the official schedule of both the PGA Tour and the European Tour...
. In that same year, upon the recommendations of Captain Allison (a premier architect who he had met in England) he was offered and accepted the position of golf professional at the outstanding new course called Timber Point Country Club in Great River Long Island, New York. He remained in that position until 1932 when he was offered the golf professional position at the new Cub de Campo in Madrid Spain where he remained until 1936, just prior to the war.
In May 1936 he traveled to London to take delivery on a set of golf clubs that he had designed. From London, he telephoned his wife and advised that he would travel to the United States to visit his long-time friend Ernest Jones. Shortly thereafter the Spanish Civil War
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...
occurred in Spain prompting his wife and two children to flee the country in October and meet with Angel in the U.S. In December 1936, he was in California where he became a golf instructor at Brookside Municipal Golf Course in Pasadena
Pasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
. Through an introduction from Bill Hickey (golf professional at Brookside), he met Eddie Loos who then offered de la Torre a position as assistant professional at Lake Shore Country Club in Glencoe, Illinois
Glencoe, Illinois
Glencoe is a village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2010 census, the village population was 8,723. Glencoe is located on suburban Chicago's North Shore. Glencoe is located within the New Trier High School District. Glencoe is regarded as one of the most affluent suburbs on...
. De la Torre subsequently became the head professional at that club and served in that capacity for 37 years. Thereafter he would continue teaching. He would teach at Tamarisk Country Club in Palm Springs in the winter months and at Glenview Naval Air Station in Glenview, Illinois
Glenview, Cook County, Illinois
Glenview is a suburban village located approximately north of downtown Chicago in Cook County, Illinois. As of the 2000 census, the village population was 41,847...
in the summer.
De la Torre's sons
De la Torre's son, Manuel de la TorreManuel de la Torre (golfer)
Manuel de la Torre is recognized as being one of golf's top teachers. His career includes playing competitively on tour, head golf professional at Milwaukee Country Club one of America's most esteemed golf clubs, and a career of teaching both tour professional and amateur golfers. Among the tour...
, followed in his father's footsteps becoming a golf professional. Manuel established an extensive playing record and has become a world famous as a golf instructor. Angel's other son Luis, became a professor at the University of Chicago and pursued a career in photography.
Tournament wins
- 1916 Spanish OpenOpen de EspañaThe Open de España is the national open golf championship of Spain. It was founded in 1912 and has been part of the European Tour's schedule since the inception of the Tour in 1972. Except for a five year period in the early 1980s, the tournament has been played in April or May. In 2005 it was one...
- 1917 Spanish OpenOpen de EspañaThe Open de España is the national open golf championship of Spain. It was founded in 1912 and has been part of the European Tour's schedule since the inception of the Tour in 1972. Except for a five year period in the early 1980s, the tournament has been played in April or May. In 2005 it was one...
- 1919 Spanish OpenOpen de EspañaThe Open de España is the national open golf championship of Spain. It was founded in 1912 and has been part of the European Tour's schedule since the inception of the Tour in 1972. Except for a five year period in the early 1980s, the tournament has been played in April or May. In 2005 it was one...
- 1923 Spanish OpenOpen de EspañaThe Open de España is the national open golf championship of Spain. It was founded in 1912 and has been part of the European Tour's schedule since the inception of the Tour in 1972. Except for a five year period in the early 1980s, the tournament has been played in April or May. In 2005 it was one...
- 1925 Spanish OpenOpen de EspañaThe Open de España is the national open golf championship of Spain. It was founded in 1912 and has been part of the European Tour's schedule since the inception of the Tour in 1972. Except for a five year period in the early 1980s, the tournament has been played in April or May. In 2005 it was one...
- 1935 Spanish PGA