“The No.2 Wood”

After two second places and four top-10s, Wood finally won the coveted Green Jacket. He became the first man to win pillar-to-post (or wire-to-wire in today’s vernacular), beating Nelson by three shots. He then topped this feat at The Colonial Club, winning the 1941 US Open by three shots from Shute, his old rival. In doing so, he became the first man to win the first two Majors in a calendar year and ensured his place in the original PGA Hall of Fame. After being evicted in the World Golf Hall of Fame debacle of 1986, Wood was deservedly reinstated in
2008 on the PGA tour ballot.
After his annus mirabilis of 1941, the Second World War forced the cancellation of three of the four Majors. Wood never seriously challenged again and instead began building a reputation as an excellent teacher. However, he continued to exert a wider influence on the game when he coached a young Claude Harmon to victory at the 1948 Masters. Harmon became not only the last club pro to win a Major, but under Wood’s influence he became the highest rated teacher of his day – a tradition carried on by his sons: Craig (named after Wood), Bill, Dick and, of course, Butch.
Wood died before his time in 1967 in West Palm Beach, playing well to the last. He matched his age, posting a 66 at Winged Foot. Perhaps no longer the “Blond Bomber”, but certainly now “The No.1 Wood”! - Dr.M.W.