Who's who: Harold "Jug" McSpaden

  • Torrey Pines - South course, host of the Farmers Insurance Open
  • Prince's GC, England
  • Torrey Pines - South course, host of the Farmers Insurance Open
  • Terras da Comporta, Dunas
  • Monte Rei G&CC
  • Marco Simone GC (Italy); host of the Ryder Cup 2023
  • Pebble Beach host of the US Open; US Women's Open; Pebble Beach Pro-Am
  • Marco Simone GC

Who's who: Harold "Jug" McSpaden

  • Name:

    Harold Lee "Jug" McSpaden
  • Also known as:

    Jug
  • Country:

    USA
  • Lived:

    [1908-1996]. Born on July 21, 1908 in Monticello, nr Kansas City, Kansas. Died on April 22, 1996 in Kansas City, Kansas (aged 87).
  • Original/Home Club:

  • Occupation:

    Professional golfer, club pro and course designer.
  • Turned Pro:

    1926 (age 18)

Roll of Honour

Multiple wins on the PGA Tour (17) and numerous other professional wins in the 1930s and 40s. McSpaden was selected for the 1939 Ryder Cup team, although this event was cancelled due to World War II.

Did you know?

Like Byron Nelson, McSpaden was rejected for military service in World War II on health grounds. He and Nelson teamed-up during the war years to put on many exhibition matches, raising considerable funding for the Red Cross and United Service Organizations.

Top tournaments won by Harold "Jug" McSpaden

1944
America
Wilshire CC
278 (-6)
$4,375
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

McSpaden, Harold

Venue

Wilshire CC

Score

278 (-6)

Prize money

$4,375

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Los Angeles Open (Jan 7-10). Second-placed Johnny Bulla (USA) finished 3 shots behind Harold "Jug" McSpaden (USA). [Wilshire CC, Los Angeles, CA].

1944
America
Edgewater GC
273 (-11)
$3,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

McSpaden, Harold

Venue

Edgewater GC

Score

273 (-11)

Prize money

$3,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Chicago Victory National Open (Jun 30-Jul 3). Harold "Jug" McSpaden (USA) beat Lieut. Ben Hogan (USA) in an 18-hole Monday playoff (McSpaden 70, 73). [Edgewater GC, Chicago, IL; now reduced to nine-holes and called the Robert A. Black municipal course].

1944
America
Phoenix CC, AZ
273 (-11)
$1,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

McSpaden, Harold

Venue

Phoenix CC, AZ

Score

273 (-11)

Prize money

$1,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Phoenix Open (Feb 3-7). Harold "Jug" McSpaden (USA) beat Byron Nelson (USA) in an 18-hole Monday playoff (McSpaden 70; Nelson 72). [Phoenix CC, Phoenix, AZ].

1944
America
Great Southern GC
276 (-8)
$1,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

McSpaden, Harold

Venue

Great Southern GC

Score

276 (-8)

Prize money

$1,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the inaugural Gulfport Open (March 3-5). Second-placed Sam Byrd (USA) finished 6 shots behind Harold "Jug" McSpaden (USA). [Great Southern GC, Gulfport, Mississippi].

1943
America
Tam O'Shanter
282 (-6)
$2,000
George S. May

Category

America

Winner (holder)

McSpaden, Harold

Venue

Tam O'Shanter

Score

282 (-6)

Prize money

$2,000

Title sponsor

George S. May

Played as the All American Open (July 22-25; aka the Tam O'Shanter). Harold "Jug" McSpaden (USA) beat Buck White (USA) in an 18-hole Monday playoff (McSpaden 71, White 72). [Tam O'Shanter CC, Niles, nr Chicago, IL; now the municipal Tam O'Shanter Golf Course].

1942
America
Miami Springs G&CC
272 (-8)
$1,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

McSpaden, Harold

Venue

Miami Springs G&CC

Score

272 (-8)

Prize money

$1,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Miami Open (Dec 3-6; unofficial PGA Tour event due to the impact of World War II). Second-placed Johnny Revolta (USA) finished 4 shots behind Harold "Jug" McSpaden (USA). [Miami Springs G&CC, Miami, FL; at the time known as Miami Springs Municipal Course].

1941
America
Glen Arven CC
207 (-9)
$700
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

McSpaden, Harold

Venue

Glen Arven CC

Score

207 (-9)

Prize money

$700

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Thomasville Open (Feb 22/23; 54-hole event). Second-placed Chandley Harper (USA), Ben Hogan (USA) and defending champion Lloyd Mangrum (USA) finished 8 shots behind Harold "Jug" McSpaden (USA). [Glen Arven CC, Thomasville, Georgia].

1940
Asia
Wack Wack G&CC
287 (-1)
x

Category

Asia

Winner (holder)

McSpaden, Harold

Venue

Wack Wack G&CC

Score

287 (-1)

Prize money

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Philippine Open. Second-placed Emery Zimmerman (USA) finished 4 shots behind Harold "Jug" McSpaden (USA). [East course, Wack Wack G&CC, Manila, Philippines].

1939
America
Riverside, NB
282 (-2)
$1,000
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

McSpaden, Harold

Venue

Riverside, NB

Score

282 (-2)

Prize money

$1,000

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Canadian Open (Aug 17-19). Second-placed Ralph Guldahl (USA) finished 5 shots behind Harold "Jug" McSpaden (USA). [Riverside CC, Rothesay, NB].

1938
America
Miami Springs G&CC
275 (-5)
$2,500
x

Category

America

Winner (holder)

McSpaden, Harold

Venue

Miami Springs G&CC

Score

275 (-5)

Prize money

$2,500

Title sponsor

x

Played as the Miami Open (Dec 15-18). Second-placed Henry Picard (USA) finished 1 shot behind Harold "Jug" McSpaden (USA). [Miami Springs G&CC, Miami, FL; at the time known as Miami Springs Municipal Course].

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