This Day in Golf History: January 14

On this date in 1949, Ben Hogan played the first round of the Bing Crosby Pro-Am at Cypress Point. Two days later, after playing Monterey Peninsula C.C. and Pebble Beach G. Links, he was the winner, the only time he won Bing’s tournament. Also, one of the PGA Tour’s most notable journeymen golfers in its history was born on this date in 1941 in Chattanooga, Tenn. Although Gibby Gilbert won three times on tour, his frumpy, everyman appearance, common Amana hat and nickname (real name is C.L. Gilbert Jr., just initials), was a high-handicapper’s delight. Plus, Gilbert always seemed to be lingering in contention. His most notable major was finishing second in the 1980 Masters behind Seve Ballesteros.