Seemingly, there weren’t many things Harry “Bing” Crosby Jr. couldn’t do.
He was an accomplished singer, actor, golfer, golf tournament host, and even a part owner of a pair of World Series-winning Major League Baseball teams.
Beyond the radio, movies, and singing work, Crosby was an avid golfer. His handicap fell to as low as 2 at tone point and he played in both the U.S. and British Amateur Championships and was a 5-time club champion at Lakeside Golf Club in Hollywood, CA.
He began his namesake tournament in 1937 at Rancho Santa Fe, inviting some friends and professional golfers alike to join him. He ponied up $500 of his own as prize money and when the playing was over a clambake ensued, thus the genesis of the tourney’s original name, “Crosby’s Clambake.”
Following a hiatus during World War II, the tournament moved to its current location on California’s Monterey Peninsula in 1947. The tournament has followed a similar format, including many A-list celebrities, and other’s who can foot the entry fee, to play with professionals during the week, making for an interesting intersection of fun and competition for all.
Beyond his love of golf, Crosby also owned a 25% share of the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1946 until his death in 1977. He was part of the ownership group during the 1960 and 1971 Pirates’ World Series-winning seasons. The Pirates could use an owner like Bing Crosby now!
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