Wikipedia / Herman Barron
Wikipedia / Herman Barron
Herman Barron (December 23, 1909 June 11, 1978) was an American professional golfer, best known for being the first Jewish golfer to win a PGA Tour event.
Early life
Barron was born in Port Chester, New York.
Professional career
Barron was one of barely a dozen professional golfers who earned their living as touring professionals in the 1930s and 1940s. His first professional win came at the 1934 Philadelphia Open Championship. On February 8, 1942, Barron became the first Jewish golfer to win an official PGA Tour event by winning the Western Open by two strokes over Henry Picard at Phoenix Golf Club in Phoenix, Arizona.
Barron was consistently among the Tour's top money winners. His best year came in 1946. In June he won the Philadelphia Inquirer Open, finished tied for fourth in the U.S. Open the following week, and in late July won the All American Open at the Tam O'Shanter Golf Course in Chicago.
Barron played on America's victorious 1947 Ryder Cup team, but was soon forced into retiring as a touring professional due to failing health. For the next 15 years, he held the position of teaching pro at the Fenway Golf Club in Westchester County, New York.
Barron returned to the touring circuit in the early 1960s and won the 1963 Senior PGA Championship. He also worked as a teaching pro during this era. Barron also played a large role in the development of Israel's first golf course, in Caesarea.
Personal life
In 1978, Barron died in Pompano Beach, Florida, at the age of 68.
Awards and honors
Barron is enshrined in the Westchester Hall of Fame
He was inducted into the PGA Metropolitan Section Hall of Fame in New York
Barron was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.
Professional wins (14)
PGA Tour wins (4)
Other wins (8)
1937 Metropolitan PGA
1938 Westchester PGA Championship
1941 Westchester PGA Championship
1943 Westchester PGA Championship
1951 Westchester PGA Championship
1954 Westchester Open
1955 Westchester PGA Championship
Senior wins (2)
Results in major championships
NYF = tournament not yet founded NT = no tournament WD = withdrew CUT = missed the half-way cut (3rd round cut in 1959 PGA Championship) R64, R32, R16, QF, SF = round in which player lost in PGA Championship match play "T" indicates a tie for a place
See also
References