The greens of Colonial Country Club
Bermuda grass is hardy. It doesn’t wither under the blistering Texas heat.
But J. Marvin Leonard, the late Fort Worth retailer, rued it every day he walked the greens at River Crest Country Club. Leonard who golfed every afternoon - weather permitting - cursed the Bermuda grass every time his ball hopped and then stopped an inch or so from the hole.
He wanted his putts to roll smoothly across the greens, but that would require Bent grass, not Bermuda and no matter how of complained the governing board of River Crest wouldn’t budge.
So, “Mr. Marvin,” as he was known to friends, decided to take matters into his own hands.
In 1935 Leonard invited friends and business associates to put up a security deposit of $50 and become members of the only course in Texas with premiere greens.
About 100 Fort Worth residents called themselves members of “Colonial Golf Club” when it opened on January 29, 1936.
With the hope of long-term prosperity of the club in mind, Leonard decided it best to sell Colonial to its members, which led the name to change to “Colonial Country Club” on December 31, 1942.
A young fan holds up a flag for autographs during the final round of the Dean & DeLuca Invitational golf tournament at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, Sunday, May 28, 2017. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
A young fan holds up a flag for autographs during the final round of the Dean & DeLuca Invitational golf tournament at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas, Sunday, May 28, 2017. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
Colonial quickly became known for having greens did what had once seemed impossible in Texas surviving the grueling heat.
Leonard’s daughter, Marty Leonard, said her father was determined to host a prestigious event at his course.
In 1941, he convinced the USGA agreed to play the U.S. Open at Colonial, marking the first time the tournament was held south of the Mason-Dixon line.
The PGA followed in 1946 with what is now its longest running annual event.
There is no other course that has hosted a U.S. Open, a Players Championship, and an annual PGA Tour event.
Colonial quickly became known for having greens did what had once seemed impossible in Texas surviving the grueling heat.
Leonard’s daughter, Marty Leonard, said her father was determined to host a prestigious event at his course.
In 1941, he convinced the USGA agreed to play the U.S. Open at Colonial, marking the first time the tournament was held south of the Mason-Dixon line.
The PGA followed in 1946 with what is now its longest running annual event.
There is no other course that has hosted a U.S. Open, a Players Championship, and an annual PGA Tour event. Colonial quickly became known for having greens did what had once seemed impossible in Texas surviving the grueling heat.
Leonard’s daughter, Marty Leonard, said her father was determined to host a prestigious event at his course.
In 1941, he convinced the USGA agreed to play the U.S. Open at Colonial, marking the first time the tournament was held south of the Mason-Dixon line.
The PGA followed in 1946 with what is now its longest running annual event.
There is no other course that has hosted a U.S. Open, a Players Championship, and an annual PGA Tour event. Colonial quickly became known for having greens did what had once seemed impossible in Texas surviving the grueling heat.
Leonard’s daughter, Marty Leonard, said her father was determined to host a prestigious event at his course.
In 1941, he convinced the USGA agreed to play the U.S. Open at Colonial, marking the first time the tournament was held south of the Mason-Dixon line.
The PGA followed in 1946 with what is now its longest running annual event.
There is no other course that has hosted a U.S. Open, a Players Championship, and an annual PGA Tour event. Colonial quickly became known for having greens did what had once seemed impossible in Texas surviving the grueling heat.
Leonard’s daughter, Marty Leonard, said her father was determined to host a prestigious event at his course.
In 1941, he convinced the USGA agreed to play the U.S. Open at Colonial, marking the first time the tournament was held south of the Mason-Dixon line.
The PGA followed in 1946 with what is now its longest running annual event.
There is no other course that has hosted a U.S. Open, a Players Championship, and an annual PGA Tour event. Colonial quickly became known for having greens did what had once seemed impossible in Texas surviving the grueling heat.
Leonard’s daughter, Marty Leonard, said her father was determined to host a prestigious event at his course.
In 1941, he convinced the USGA agreed to play the U.S. Open at Colonial, marking the first time the tournament was held south of the Mason-Dixon line.
The PGA followed in 1946 with what is now its longest running annual event.
There is no other course that has hosted a U.S. Open, a Players Championship, and an annual PGA Tour event. Colonial quickly became known for having greens did what had once seemed impossible in Texas surviving the grueling heat.
Leonard’s daughter, Marty Leonard, said her father was determined to host a prestigious event at his course.
In 1941, he convinced the USGA agreed to play the U.S. Open at Colonial, marking the first time the tournament was held south of the Mason-Dixon line.
The PGA followed in 1946 with what is now its longest running annual event.
There is no other course that has hosted a U.S. Open, a Players Championship, and an annual PGA Tour event. Colonial quickly became known for having greens did what had once seemed impossible in Texas surviving the grueling heat.
Leonard’s daughter, Marty Leonard, said her father was determined to host a prestigious event at his course.
In 1941, he convinced the USGA agreed to play the U.S. Open at Colonial, marking the first time the tournament was held south of the Mason-Dixon line.
The PGA followed in 1946 with what is now its longest running annual event.
There is no other course that has hosted a U.S. Open, a Players Championship, and an annual PGA Tour event. Colonial quickly became known for having greens did what had once seemed impossible in Texas surviving the grueling heat.
Leonard’s daughter, Marty Leonard, said her father was determined to host a prestigious event at his course.
In 1941, he convinced the USGA agreed to play the U.S. Open at Colonial, marking the first time the tournament was held south of the Mason-Dixon line.
The PGA followed in 1946 with what is now its longest running annual event.
There is no other course that has hosted a U.S. Open, a Players Championship, and an annual PGA Tour event.
May 1949, heavy rains overflowed the Trinity River to flood portions of 7th Street to University Ave. including the Montgomery Ward building (foreground). (AP Photo/Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
May 1949, heavy rains overflowed the Trinity River to flood portions of 7th Street to University Ave. including the Montgomery Ward building (foreground). (AP Photo/Fort Worth Star-Telegram)
“Colonial sits visibly lower than most of the city, which means the water drains directly towards the course, which has caused problems for the course,” said Marty Leonard.
She said there are conversation taking place about possibly remodeling the course in the future, although no definite plans have been made yet.
J. Marvin Leonard with daughter Marty. Courtesy of Marty Leonard
J. Marvin Leonard with daughter Marty. Courtesy of Marty Leonard
A crowd follows Jordan Spieth along the 9th fairway during the final round of the Fort Worth Invitational at the Colonial Country Club. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire)
A crowd follows Jordan Spieth along the 9th fairway during the final round of the Fort Worth Invitational at the Colonial Country Club. (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire)
The 18th hole at Colonial. (Annika Clark)
The 18th hole at Colonial. (Annika Clark)
Golfer Annika Sorenstam and her caddie Terry McNamara wait for Sorenstam's turn to putt on the 10th hole during the second round of the Colonial golf tournament at the Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas on Friday, May 23, 2003. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Golfer Annika Sorenstam and her caddie Terry McNamara wait for Sorenstam's turn to putt on the 10th hole during the second round of the Colonial golf tournament at the Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas on Friday, May 23, 2003. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Fort Worth native Ben Hogan is perhaps the course's most legendary player.
Hogan, who spent most of his childhood in Fort Worth, shot 65 in the final round of the first tour event in 1946.
His win at Colonial was more than simply earning a paycheck. He had won at the course that started as the vision of Marvin Leonard, his mentor and friend.
The pair first met at Glen Garden Country Club in south Fort Worth where Hogan was a caddy.
Leonard frequently hired Hogan to caddy when he played, which sparked a relationship. Marty Leonard said the pair were like father and son.
When Hogan chose to make a living playing golf, Marvin Leonard sponsored him.
Hogan is known for his stoic character and intense work ethic. He won the PGA event at Colonial five times.
Clara Hogan, mother of Ben Hogan, runs on to the 18th green and hugs her son at Fort Worth, Texas, May 4, 1959, after Ben won the playoff against Fred Hawkins to get the National Colonial Invitation title for the fifth time. Hogan shot a 69 while Hawkins shot a 73. (AP Photo)
Clara Hogan, mother of Ben Hogan, runs on to the 18th green and hugs her son at Fort Worth, Texas, May 4, 1959, after Ben won the playoff against Fred Hawkins to get the National Colonial Invitation title for the fifth time. Hogan shot a 69 while Hawkins shot a 73. (AP Photo)
To this day he is the only person to win back-to-back, which he did twice. His name can be found on the Wall of Champions located on the first tee box.
Colonial Country Club is referred to as “Hogan’s Alley.”
A bronze statue of Mr. Hogan greets the members and guests as they enter the gates of Colonial. Located inside the clubhouse is the Ben Hogan Trophy Room, which pays tribute to the golfer’s many achievements.
Today, Hogan’s legacy lives on at Colonial for golfers, non-golfers, and college students alike. The course is located just under a mile from Texas Christian University’s campus, serving as a desirable location to work.
John Grady, a senior at TCU, worked at Colonial Country Club for over two years in the outside services departments, assisting members and taking care of the golf course.
“I learned a lot about the game of golf and it’s integrity while employed at Colonial, as well as everything that goes into hosting a major PGA tournament every year,” said Grady.
Colonial Country Club has also opened its doors to women and men collegiate golfers. The TCU women’s and men’s teams utilize the course and its facilities at practice every week.
TCU women’s golf coach Angie Ravaioli-Larkin said that practicing at Colonial is a huge recruiting advantage as well as a player development advantage. She said she believes that it gives the players opportunities to build lasting relationships with people who have significant influence and resources on and off the golf course.
“With Colonial’s rich history with the PGA Tour, Mr. Ben Hogan, the U.S. Women’s Open, and many other significant events in the world of golf, it is an honor and privilege to say that it is one of our home courses,” said Larkin.
Over the years, Colonial Country Club has opened its doors to women and men collegiate golfers.
The TCU women’s and men’s teams utilize the course and its facilities at practice every week.
TCU women’s golf coach Angie Ravaioli-Larkin said that practicing at Colonial is a huge recruiting advantage as well as a player development advantage.
She said its members are welcoming and playing there gives the students opportunities to network with people who have significant influence and resources on and off the golf course.
“With Colonial’s rich history with the PGA Tour, Mr. Ben Hogan, the U.S. Women’s Open, and many other significant events in the world of golf, it is an honor and privilege to say that it is one of our home courses,” said Larkin.
John Grady, a senior at TCU, worked at Colonial Country Club for over two years in the outside services departments, assisting members and taking care of the golf course.
“I learned a lot about the game of golf and its integrity while employed at Colonial, as well as everything that goes into hosting a major PGA tournament every year,” said Grady.
The rich history of Colonial Country Club is still being written as the PGA Tour has continued to host an event there, despite temporary issues with sponsorships.
Dean & Deluca pulled out if its six-year sponsorship agreement after the 2017 tournament, just two years into their deal.
In an attempt to make the 2018 tournament possible, American Airlines, AT&T, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, and XTO Energy Inc. joined to contribute $2 million each to sponsor the newly named Fort Worth Invitational.
With many questioning if Colonial could find a sponsor in time to keep the longest running PGA event at its original site, the country club made an announcement in April 2018 that stopped all rumors.
Charles Schwab will be the new sponsor of the Fort Worth tournament starting in 2019 until 2022. Charles Schwab has a history with the PGA Tour, which is promising for a lengthened life of the tournament being played at Colonial Country Club.
Ben Hogan, three time champion of the National Open Golf Tournament after he won June 16, 1951 at Birmingham, Michigan. Hogan received a trophy and $4,000 for his victory.(AP PHOTO)
Ben Hogan, three time champion of the National Open Golf Tournament after he won June 16, 1951 at Birmingham, Michigan. Hogan received a trophy and $4,000 for his victory.(AP PHOTO)
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