In June of 1948, Ben Hogan won his first major tournament, the U.S. Open. In September of 1948, he came to San Jose Country Club at the invitation of the Club's Head Professional, Eddie Duino, to conduct a clinic and play an exhibition match.
Hogan, in his first round at San Jose Country Club, shot 64 (par is 70), having never seen the course. During that round, Hogan never had his ball more than a flag stick's length from the hole, hitting all 18 greens in regulation.
Shortly after his play at San Jose Country Club, where this photo was taken, Hogan was in the car accident that almost ended his career. While driving with his wife Valerie, a bus on the wrong side of the road hit his car head on. To protect his wife, Hogan threw his body in front of her. She was unhurt.
This act saved his wife, but Hogan was badly injured, suffering a broken pelvis, broken legs, and so many other injuries that doctors told him he would never be able to play golf again.
Proving them wrong, Hogan rehabilitated himself and went on to have what is arguably the best year in golf. In 1953, he won the Masters, the U.S. Open, and the British Open (at that time, the British Open and the PGA tournament were played at the same time.)
Eddie Duino went on to be named the "PGA Pro of the Year" for the entire United States. Many believe Eddie Duino was the most popular - and best loved - Head Professional of all time.
Established in 1899, the San Jose Country Club is the fourth oldest golf club in Northern California. The course is truly unique to the Bay Area. Tom Nicoll, a Scottish-born professional and the club’s first head pro, designed it in 1912. John Harbottle, a classic golf course architect who likened the course to Gleneagles and noted that the course was "a touch of Scotland," renovated it eighty-eight years later.
San Jose Country Club is known for its love of the game of golf and has a history steeped in tradition and golfing honors. The Club is a founding member of the NCGA and has turned out many champions through the years. Eddie Duino was the most famous Club pro, who was "Club Professional of the Year" in 1959. He gave lessons to Roger Maltbie, Ken Venturi, and Congressman Don Edwards, who are honorary members today. Ernie Pieper, whose swing was most compared to Bobby Jones, and of whom Jones purportedly referred to as "the man with a near-perfect swing," won 15 Santa Clara County Championships. Through the years, the long list of golf pros and celebrities who have enjoyed our course include Ben Hogan, Walter Hagen, Sam Snead, Byron Nelson, Johnny Miller, and Fred Couples.
The Club provides many golf and social activities, in a family friendly environment of mutual respect, friendship, and camaraderie. Members use the clubhouse and dining facilities for business luncheons, off-site meetings, and casual and formal dining with a spectacular view of Silicon Valley.