An immigrant’s son taught himself the game of golf to become one of the sport’s most colorful, dynamic personalities.
Charismatic, lively, and outstandingly driven, Gene Sarazen exemplified the soul and spirit of his era. Coinciding with the mass production of automobiles, the introduction of sound in movies, and the expansion of electrical recordings and radio, Sarazen was a household name equivalent to Babe Ruth or Lou Gehrig. In 1932, he was voted the Associated Press Athlete of the Year, winning over them both.
An inventor and lifelong ambassador of the game, his improbable shot in 1935—dubbed the “Shot Heard Round the World”—endures as the pinnacle of the sport’s legend.
The Self-Taught ‘Squire’
Born in 1902 as Eugenio Saraceni in “a small Italian colony,” north of New York City, “midway between Rye and Harrison, New York,” his father, Federico Saraceni, was an Italian immigrant carpenter. His father was said to be displeased with his son’s chosen profession, although Eugenio posted a steady string of successes as a golfer, amassing great interest from fans and colleagues. Saraceni returned to Italy to retire after the death of his wife.
