He was a College All-American, a PGA Tour event winner, a National Club Pro Championship Winner, one of the founders of venerable Delray Dunes Country Club, and overall Great Friend of Golf, but for 41 years Laurie Hammer has served golf in his most important capacity – a PGA Head professional and teaching pro.
We wouldn’t get far without those dedicated teaching pros to demystify the golf swing for us – without them trying to play golf would be as difficult as deciphering ancient runes! And Laurie Hammer has been like a priest with a penitent, ministering the swings of his charges with almost religious devotion.
“He’s our hero, our role model, our coach, and our mentor in life and in golf, which are parallel,” said a smiling Gino “Forza Italia!” Composto, first assistant to the PGA Head Professional at Delray Dunes. “The only thing that surpasses his ability as a teacher is what a great human being he is: always upbeat, smiling, positive and supportive, we couldn’t have asked for a better head pro. Because of his guidance and example, many young pros and young players came here and moved on to bigger and better things.”
Indeed, no less a personage than Jay Sigel, one of America’s best decorated and revered amateur stars, used tips from Hammer to great effect.
“I’ve taken quite a few lessons from Laurie which would last anywhere from 5 minutes to 15 minutes, and we’ve had many conversations about the swing,” explained Sigel. “In the four or five times I’ve played with him just this November, he’s got me on track and really excited. I’ve shot or broken my age at Delray a number of times, and he’s part of the reason.”
But if there’s anything that surpasses Hammer’s ability as a golf pro, it’s his grace and class as a person.
“He’s a real gentlemen. As a pro he works with the player rather than teaching them completely new swing – he’s given many thousands of lessons and he still as busy ever, even though he’s retired – but he’s not only respected for his teaching, but his dedication and the way he sets such a good example as a person. He never seeks accolades or pats on the back. He’s got quiet dignity and class.”
“Laurie has always been the classiest of class acts,” agreed former Tour pro and family friend Eoghan O’Connell, another of America’s most well-decorated amateur champions. “Plus he built Delray Dunes with Murph [former pro and NBC broadcaster Bob Murphy] and together they brought countless great players – pros and amateurs – to Delray, which has the distinction of being Pete Dye’s first 18-hole golf course. They are the Gold Standard to which everyone in golf should strive to achieve.”
PAST WINNERS
2010 – Hank Furgol – Valley View Golf Course (Utica, NY)
2009 – No Award (Woods Scandal Pre-empted most awards)
2008 – Bernie Herceg – Hiawatha Landing Golf Course
2007 – Ace Rothman – The Biltmore Golf Resort
2006 – Ty Hamer – Pinon Hills Golf Course
