The Legacy Of Ben Hogan and Portland Golf Club

PORTLAND, OREGON | Here at Portland Golf Club, I feel honored, my footsteps carefully and slowly following the path blazed by Ben Hogan.

The intriguing new golf documentary Hogan made its debut in June on Golf Channel. Although Portland Golf Club was mentioned prominently, there was something missing — the overwhelming emotion, passion and popularity of the great man making his mark in Portland, far from his home in Fort Worth, Texas.

In 1945 at Portland GC, Hogan won the Portland Open with a 72-hole total of 261, which just happened to be 27-under par (65, 69, 63, 64). Commented Byron Nelson, who earlier that year had captured 11 consecutive tournaments, “From the looks of that score, I think he still has nine holes to play.”

In 1946, on the same course, Hogan dominated the PGA Championship. It was the first of his nine career major championships. In the match-play final, he defeated Ed “Porky” Oliver, 6 and 4. Brooks Koepka may have taken home $1,980,000 for winning the 2019 PGA Championship, but Hogan’s reward in 1946 was ...