The Great Hogan At Panmure

In 1953 Ben Hogan won his one and only Open Championship at Carnoustie Golf Links. This would be his final major victory and the only time he would ever visit Scotland. The man known as the ‘Wee Ice Mon’ by the Scots cemented his legendary reputation thanks to the help of Panmure Golf Club.

The great Hogan spent two weeks at Panmure, accompanied only by his caddy, Cecil Timms to acclimatise to the terrain of links golf and to acquaint himself with the smaller 1.62 inch British ball.

Hogan would never play in the Open again, but his legacy at Panmure remains! The sixth hole, a 414 yard par 4, stroke index 1, is named after the great man. Hogan suggested the addition of the cleverly-placed hidden pot bunker to the front right of the green. Over sixty eight years on, the members still refer to it as "Hogan's Bunker".

Ben Hogan came to the UK in 1953 as the reigning US Masters and US Open Champion to play in the Open Championship at Carnoustie. His win there is well documented. However, what is not so well known perhaps is that Ben Hogan did most of his practising for the Open at Panmure Golf Club.