Over 2500 fans turned out to see Bob Hope and Johnny Dawson lose their match to George Von Elm and Bruce McCormick at the opening of the city of Los Angeles’s new Rancho Municipal Golf Course on July 3, 1949.
According to the press, Hope was beaten, but not silenced!
Johnny Dawson and George Von Elm were advisors to William “Bill” Johnson and William P. “Billy” Bell in the design and construction of the new championship golf course, and the Nine hole Par 3 course. Both layouts were built on the site of W. Herbert Fowler’s 1921-1944, Hotel Ambassador/Rancho Golf Club course.
The most historic photo ever taken of Southern California legends!
Bell designed and built over 60 golf courses in California, Arizona and Hawaii.
Dawson a 5-time So Cal Amateur champion, course architect, and 1949 U.S. Walker Cup Team.
McCormick was 1937 U.S. Amateur Public Links, twice Cal State, three time So Cal Amateur champion, and 1949 Walker Cup Team.
Luxford was the Father of Celebrity golf, ran Crosby’s Clambake, S.C.G.A. President, L.A. Open fundraiser, and President of the L.A. Recreation and Parks Commission.
Johnson worked for Bell as Greenkeeper at: Royal Palms, L.A. Rec. and Parks Griffith Park, Architect with Bell and Billy Bell Junior.
Von Elm was multiple So Cal, Cal State, Trans Mississippi amateur champion. He beat his 1926 U.S. Walker Cup team mate, Bobby Jones, to win the 1926 U.S. Amateur, while playing for the Rancho Golf Club!
Hunter was the son of Henry Hunter, Royal Cinque Ports Greenkeeper/Professional, and nephew of Ramsey Hunter, designer of Royal St. Georges. He was 1921 British Amateur champion. Rancho Golf Club secretary and Von Elm partner in SCGA Team Play. Founder of the L.A. Open, and Riviera Country Club head professional for decades.
The Recreation and Park Department held their official municipal opening on Friday, July 8, 1949. The next day the new course hosted the 24th U.S.G.A. Public Links Championship ( July 9 to July 16).
The Rancho Golf Course opened to the general public on July 17, 1949.
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