Education
Claude Harmon also finished in third place at the 1959 United States. Open, which was held at his home course at Winged Foot.
Claude Harmon also finished in third place at the 1959 United States. Open, which was held at his home course at Winged Foot.
Born in Savannah, Georgia, Harmon spent much of his boyhood in Florida, in the Orlando area. A youthful prodigy, he qualified for the United States. Amateur at age 15 in 1931. He was a semi-finalist three times in the Professional Golf Association Championship (1945, 1948, and 1953), competing as a club pro against full-time tour players.
From 1945 to 1978, Harmon was the head professional at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York, and also served as the winter professional for many years at the Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach, Florida.
In 1959, he was hired as the head professional at Thunderbird Country Club in Palm Springs, California, where he served for over a decade, and finally took a club job in Texas in the Houston area. In 1959, Harmon played in the United States. Open at Winged Foot and placed third.
Harmon died of heart failure following surgery in Houston at the age 73, and is interred at Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City, California. Harmon"s sons Butch, Craig, and Bill all occupy spots in Golf Digest"s "top 50 teachers" list.
His third eldest son Dick (1947–2006) was also a top golf instructor.
Professional Golf Association Tour wins 1948 Masters Tournament Other wins (12) Wins (1) Results timeline Northwest Territories = Number tournament DNP = Did not play World Development = Withdrew DQ = Disqualified CUT = missed the half-way cut R64, R32, R16, QF, San Francisco = Round in which player lost in Professional Golf Association Championship match play "T" indicates a tie for a place Green background for wins. Yellow background for top-10. Summary Most consecutive cuts made – 12 (1948 Open Championship – 1953 Masters) Longest streak of top-10s – 2 (twice).
He is a member of the World Golf Teachers" Hall of Fame and the Professional Golf Association of America Hall of Fame.