Bob Harlow
Encyclopedia
Bob Harlow was an important figure in the development of professional golf
in the United States
.
Harlow was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts
. He began his working life as a journalist, before becoming manager of Walter Hagen
, then the biggest draw in golf, in 1921. In 1930, he was hired as tournaments manager by the PGA of America and he played a key role in establishing a full time PGA Tour
. (The precise date this happened is a matter of interpretation, but money lists are available from 1934 onwards.)
Harlow was a born salesman who went from city to city persuading local clubs and businesses to support or create tournaments. He introduced ideas such as a year-round schedule, the tournament volunteer system and the PGA's merchandise show. He kept the show on the road through the Great Depression
. He also managed players such as Paul Runyan
, Horton Smith
and Ed Dudley. In 1936, he was replaced as tournament manager by Fred Corcoran
as the PGA felt he had a conflict of interest, acting as agent for certain players while he was running a tour which was expected to treat all its members equally. He went on to found Golf World
magazine in 1947. In 1988, he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame
.
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....
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Harlow was born in Newburyport, Massachusetts
Newburyport, Massachusetts
Newburyport is a small coastal city in Essex County, Massachusetts, United States, 35 miles northeast of Boston. The population was 21,189 at the 2000 census. A historic seaport with a vibrant tourism industry, Newburyport includes part of Plum Island...
. He began his working life as a journalist, before becoming manager of Walter Hagen
Walter Hagen
Walter Charles Hagen was a major figure in golf in the first half of the 20th century. His tally of eleven professional majors is third behind Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods . He won the U.S. Open twice, and in 1922 he became the first native-born American to win the British Open, which he went on...
, then the biggest draw in golf, in 1921. In 1930, he was hired as tournaments manager by the PGA of America and he played a key role in establishing a full time PGA Tour
PGA Tour
The PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
. (The precise date this happened is a matter of interpretation, but money lists are available from 1934 onwards.)
Harlow was a born salesman who went from city to city persuading local clubs and businesses to support or create tournaments. He introduced ideas such as a year-round schedule, the tournament volunteer system and the PGA's merchandise show. He kept the show on the road through the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
. He also managed players such as Paul Runyan
Paul Runyan
Paul Scott Runyan was an American professional golfer. He was among the world's best players in the mid-1930s, won two PGA Championships, and is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame. Runyan was also a golf instructor....
, Horton Smith
Horton Smith
Horton Smith was an American professional golfer, who is best known as the first man to win the Masters Tournament.- Tournament career :...
and Ed Dudley. In 1936, he was replaced as tournament manager by Fred Corcoran
Fred Corcoran
Fred Corcoran was an American sports promoter, agent, administrator and amateur golfer, who had a diverse career in the world of golf, baseball, boxing, ice hockey and other sports. He was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1975, as one of the first honorees who had not had a career in...
as the PGA felt he had a conflict of interest, acting as agent for certain players while he was running a tour which was expected to treat all its members equally. He went on to found Golf World
Golf World
Golf World is a weekly magazine covering the game of golf published by Condé Nast Publications. It celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2007, and is therefore the oldest golf publication in the United States...
magazine in 1947. In 1988, he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame
World Golf Hall of Fame
The World Golf Hall of Fame is located at World Golf Village near St. Augustine, Florida, in the United States, and it is unusual among sports halls of fame in that a single site serves both men and women. It is supported by a consortium of 26 golf organizations from all over the world.The Hall of...
.