1. The Forest Park (now Norman K. Probstein) Golf Course is created in 1913. For years the only public course in St. Louis, Forest Park is also the only course open to African-American golfers at that time.
2. Hord Hardin is named to the USGA Executive Committee in 1962. His importance to area golf in acquiring championship events and promoting St. Louis from 1960 into the 1980s cannot be overestimated.
3. Bob Goalby wins the 1968 Masters—the only area player to win the event and the first area native to win a major championship.
4. Jim Holtgrieve wins the first U.S. Mid-Amateur in 1981—positioning host course Bellerive Country Club for future events (and Holtgrieve for a 2011 Walker Cup captaincy).
5. Norwood Hills opens its course for “outings” in 1982, beginning the use of golf for charity events (now an important income stream for many area courses).
6. Quail Creek opens in 1987, ushering in the era of upscale public courses in the
St. Louis area.
7. Hale Irwin—born in Joplin; raised his own family in St. Louis—wins his third U.S. Open in 1990, placing him among the greatest in the game.
8. The Metropolitan Amateur Golf Association forms in 1991, changing the face of St. Louis golf by bringing together golfers from the St. Louis District, the Missouri Golf Association, and local public-course players.
9. Bellerive hosts the 1992 PGA Championship. The success of this event positions St. Louis for future championships, while also changing how the PGA
structures its relationship
with host clubs.
10. Ellen Port wins the Women’s Mid-Amateur titles in 1995, 1996, and 2000—making her the only USGA lady champion from the area. She was also selected to the Curtis Cup squads in 1994 and 1996—the only area woman to be so honored.
