The Legend


- The first golfer to complete the professional Grand
  Slam of Open, US Open, Masters and USPGA.

- The first golfer to become a technical advisor to Wilson
  - signed in 1922, beginning a 75 year relationship with
  the brand - the longest running contract in sports
  history.

- Became the youngest ever Major winner - the 1922
  US Open aged 20.

- The first golfer to win the Open and the
  US Open in the same year.

- Invented the Sand Wedge. Inspired
  by Aeronautical engineering Gene
  welded a piece of steel to the
  sole of a club and then ground
  it to shape to produce bounce
  - the explosion shot
  was born.

- Won 39 PGA titles and 7 Majors.

- Changed his name from Eugenio
  Saraceni to Gene Sarazen when
  he turned Pro because he said it
  sounded like a golfer. It did and
  he was.

- Aced the Postage Stamp at Troon at the
  age of 71.

The Facts

- Name - Gene Sarazen
- Born - February 27 1902
- Died - May 13 1999
- Turned Pro - 1920
- Masters - 1935
- US Open - 1922, 1932
- The Open - 1932
- USPGA - 1922, 1923, 1933
- Career money: $78.627
- Ryder Cup appearances - 6
- Ryder Cup record - P12, W7, L2, H3

The Quotes

- "I ruined golf with my sand iron. Bunker shots used to be hard,
   now they would rather be in the sand."  said a smiling Gene
  Sarazen

- "Over and above his prowess as a golfer, he was a wonderful
  family man. Although there were tremendous travel requirements
  for people on the Tour, he always seemed to have time for his wife,
  Mary, and their children, and he spoke of them often."
   Ben Hogan