Jug McSpaden facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Harold "Jug" McSpaden
McSpaden, circa 1943
Personal information
Full name	Harold Lee McSpaden
Nickname	Jug
Born	(1908-07-21)July 21, 1908 Monticello, Kansas, U.S.
Died	April 22, 1996(1996-04-22) (aged 87) Kansas City, Kansas, U.S.
Spouse	Elizabeth Celeste "Betty" Proctor McSpaden (m.1949–1996)
Career
Turned professional	1926
Former tour(s)	PGA Tour
Professional wins	28
Number of wins by tour
PGA Tour	17
Other	11
Best results in Major Championships
The Masters Tournament	T4: 1947
U.S. Open	T7: 1931
The Open Championship	DNP
PGA Championship	2nd: 1937

A poster for "Iron Masters", a newsreel about McSpaden and Nelson.

Harold Lee "Jug" McSpaden (born July 21, 1908 – died April 22, 1996) was a famous American professional golfer. He also designed golf courses.

Becoming a Golfer

Harold McSpaden was born in Monticello, Kansas. He became very interested in golf when he was ten years old. This happened after he watched the famous golfer Harry Vardon play in Kansas City.

McSpaden started his golf journey as a caddie, carrying golf clubs for players. When he was 18, in 1926, he officially became a member of the PGA (Professional Golfers' Association). He even played in the very first Masters Tournament in 1934.

He won several big tournaments early in his career. These included the Pasadena Open in 1935 and the Canadian Open in 1939. In 1944, he won both the Los Angeles Open and the Phoenix Open. This was a special year because one of his wins was against the legendary golfer Byron Nelson.

Golf During World War II

McSpaden was chosen to be part of the U.S. Ryder Cup team in 1939. However, the Ryder Cup is a major golf competition between teams from the U.S. and Europe. This event was canceled that year because World War II had just started.

He was also selected for the Ryder Cup team in 1941, 1942, and 1943. But during these war years, instead of official matches, golfers played exhibition games. These games were played to raise money for the war effort.

The Gold Dust Twins

Between 1942 and 1944, McSpaden and his friend Byron Nelson played in 110 exhibition matches. Both golfers were unable to join the military for health reasons. They used their golf skills to raise money for important groups like the Red Cross and the USO.

Because they often finished first and second in these charity events, Nelson and McSpaden earned a special nickname. People called them the "Gold Dust Twins". In 1944, winners were paid in war bonds. McSpaden won $23,855 worth of bonds that year.

McSpaden and Nelson also worked together to improve golf shoes. They helped a shoe company make golf shoes more comfortable and provide better grip.

Later Career and Amazing Records

In 1947, McSpaden decided to leave the full-time professional golf tour. He became a vice president at a sportswear company. Even after this, he still played in golf tournaments sometimes.

McSpaden was honored for his achievements in golf. He was elected to the Professional Golfers' Association Hall of Fame in 1991. He also became a member of the Kansas Golf Hall of Fame.

Besides playing, McSpaden also designed golf courses. One of his designs is the Dub's Dread Golf Club in Kansas City, Kansas. He continued to play golf in the Senior PGA Championship until he was 85 years old!

McSpaden's Records

Harold McSpaden won 17 tournaments on the PGA Tour. He also holds some unique PGA records:

• In 1945, he finished second 13 times in one year. This is a PGA record!
• In the same year, 1945, he had 31 top-10 finishes in one season. This means he placed among the top ten players in 31 different tournaments. This is also a PGA record.
• He finished in the top-10 at major championships 12 times. His best finish was second place at the 1937 PGA Championship.

McSpaden was the first professional golfer to shoot a score of 59 on a par 71 course. This happened in 1939 at the Brackenridge Park Golf Club in Texas.

He also holds the PGA record for being the oldest golfer to score better than his age in a Champions Tour event. In 1994, at 85 years old, he shot an 81.

His friend Byron Nelson once said that McSpaden was "a better player than most people know." Nelson described him as "honest, forthright, kind of rough and gruff." McSpaden had very long arms, so he used a longer-than-usual driver for most of his career.

Legacy and Passing

Harold McSpaden and his wife, Betty, passed away in their home in Kansas City, Kansas, on April 22, 1996. They lived on a golf course that was then called Victory Hills. Their deaths were ruled accidental.

McSpaden was considered for the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2004 and 2005. While he didn't get enough votes to be inducted, his impact on golf is remembered.

The golf course McSpaden designed, Dub's Dread, was once listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. It was known as the world's longest golf course.

Professional Wins

Harold McSpaden had 28 professional wins during his career.

PGA Tour Wins (17)

• 1933: Santa Monica Amateur-Pro
• 1934: Pasadena Open
• 1935: Sacramento Open, San Francisco National Match Play Open
• 1936: Massachusetts Open
• 1937: Massachusetts Open
• 1938: Miami Open, Houston Open
• 1939: Canadian Open
• 1941: Thomasville Open
• 1943: All American Open
• 1944: Los Angeles Open, Phoenix Open, Gulfport Open-Mississippi, Chicago Victory National Open, Golden Valley Four-Ball (with Byron Nelson)
• 1945: Miami International Four-Ball (with Byron Nelson)

Other Wins (11)

• 1931: Oklahoma Open
• 1934: Oklahoma Open, Iowa Open
• 1938: Massachusetts Open, New England PGA Championship
• 1939: New England PGA Championship
• 1940: Philippine Open
• 1941: Massachusetts Open, New England PGA Championship
• 1942: Miami Open
• 1944: Utah Open

Major Championship Highlights

McSpaden played in many major golf championships. Here's a summary of his performance:

• He made 29 consecutive cuts in major tournaments from 1936 to 1948.
• He had a streak of 4 top-10 finishes in a row from the 1940 PGA to the 1941 PGA.

See also

• List of golfers with most PGA Tour wins