and later , founder of Colonial Country Club . It was Leonard who encouraged Ben to pursue his growing love and interest in golf ; and also supported Ben in three failed attempts to join the fledging PGA tour between 1930-38 .
Hogan ’ s hard work and dedication to practice finally started to pay off in 1940 as he went on to win 14 championships before World War II interrupted his playing career . After the war he was practically unbeatable as the diminutive Texan won 36 tournaments between 1945-49 . On Feb . 2 , 1949 , returning from a tournament in California , Ben ’ s life was changed forever as the car he was driving was hit head on by a bus on a foggy road near Van Horn . His leap to shield his wife , Valerie , was the only thing that saved his life ; however , doctors doubted that his crushed legs and pelvis would ever allow him to play golf again .
Ben ’ s miraculous comeback began after two months in an El Paso hospital and was culminated with a 1950 U . S . Open victory at Marion .
The year 1953 was Ben ’ s greatest year . He entered six officially sanctioned events , winning five of six , arguably the greatest single season performance by a
golfer in the history of the game . Ben ’ s “ Triple Crown ” year , with wins at The Masters , U . S . Open and British Open Championship , has never been equaled .
Following his greatest year in golf history , Ben announced that he would be starting a golf club manufacturing company that would become the premier golf club manufacturer in the world .
Hogan is generally considered one of the greatest golfers in the history of the
game . He is notable for his profound influence on the golf swing theory and his legendary ball striking ability .
Before his retirement from golf , Ben had won 64 PGA tournaments , fourth all-time behind Sam Snead , Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods . Out of 292 career tournaments , Ben finished in the top three 139 times and in the top ten 241 times .
BATES Etc . Travel was the presenting sponsor for the event , along with the partnership with the Ben Hogan Foundation and the city of Cleburne . New this year also was a golf ball launcher sponsored by Sandlin Homes .
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