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Herman Keiser had only been out of the Navy for a year when he won The Masters in 1946. For three years Herman would take his clubs aboard the USS Cincinnati for the brief opportunities at port when he could fit in a round before heading back to the Atlantic. Thanks to legendary golfer Paul Runyon, Herman was able to get out of the Navy several months early. All he had to do was help a higher-ranking officer with his slice.
Herman, nicknamed the Missouri Mortician, was born on October 7, 1914 in Springfield, Missouri. He was introduced to golf when two brothers were hitting balls into the field near his home. He heard the balls hit the ground and would then run over to collect them. After a while the boys came to Herman looking for the balls. When they arrived Herman asked them what the balls were. They explained to him what golf was and let him hit a few. That is when Herman was hooked. He would often go to nearby Springfield Country Club at four in the morning with friends to hit balls to the dew soaked greens. During the summer Keiser would caddy under caddy master Horton Smith. Horton would have a huge influence on Herman’s golfing career. At the age of 19 Herman won 5 local golf tournaments. The first was the Heart of the Ozarks held at the Springfield Country Club, the second was the Mid-Ozarks title in Monett, the third was the All-Ozarks Championship at Hickory Hills Country Club, the Mountain Grove Championship, and finally the Tri-State Championship held in Joplin.
In the late 30’s Herman put up a driving range across from the Glenstone golf course where he could give lessons and work on his game. In April of 1940 Horton Smith found Herman a pro job in Akron, Ohio at Portage Country Club under Al Espinosa. The next year he moved over to the storied Firestone Country Club in Akron.
Already known in the late 30’s and 40’s as a good golfer. Herman became nationally recognized when he beat favorite Ben Hogan by 1 stroke for the 1946 Masters. According to Keiser this victory was literally against the odds. Stories began to spread during the tournament that some members of the Augusta National had placed large bets on Ben Hogan. Over time the numbers have changed from $50,000 at 4 to 1 odds, to $100,000 at 10 to 1 odds, regardless these members were obviously pulling for Hogan.
After leading the tournament for the first two days Herman felt there were efforts to sabotage his play. Just before the third round his tee time was changed causing him to rush to the first tee without even hitting balls. The same round they gave Herman a 13-year-old caddie. After demanding a new caddie with more experience he was denied. Even after these efforts Herman still remained atop the leader board.
During the final round despite being the leader, Keiser was paired with Byron Nelson a few groups in front of Hogan. At a time during the final round Herman had a 5 stroke lead, but Hogan made a run to get to within 1 stroke. At the final hole Hogan only needed to make a 2-foot par putt to force a playoff, but the putt didn’t drop. Herman Keiser had just won the 1946 Masters. The purse for the winner was $2,500. Herman’s seven iron he used on his approach shot on the final whole is on display at Augusta National still today.
One would think this event would have cause tension between Hogan and Keiser but it was not the case. In 1947 Herman was named to the Ryder cup team headed by Ben Hogan. The event took place at the Portland Golf Club. Just before the beginning of the first round of play Hogan noticed Keiser looking distracted. Hogan asked if something was troubling him. Herman responded by telling him that a young lady that he recently “dated” for twenty dollars had found out he was a now famous golfer. Her fee was now $1,000 or this “date” was now going to be rape. Hogan took out his wallet and from it took $1,000 and told Herman to pay him back when he could. This gesture made the two friends for life.
This friendship would be displayed once again in 1949. On February 2nd during a trip to the Texas Open Keiser was driving through the remains of what was a terrible traffic accident. While driving slowly trough the wreckage Herman recognized the Cadillac flattened at the side of the road. It was Hogan’s. He and Dutch Harrison drove to El Paso nearly 120 miles away where the ambulance had taken Hogan. When Herman arrived it didn’t look good. Hogan had a bandage over one eye, the other was nearly swollen shut, and a case enclosed his lower body. Hogan gestured for Keiser to come to him. As Herman leaned over for his friend to speak in a whisper to him he heard Ben say only, “Herman, would you check on my clubs?” Herman has often said that Hogan was “the finest gentlemen I ever knew.”
Herman played in 26 Masters tournaments. His last round at Augusta was in 1974 at the age of 59. Before his death on December 24, 2003 Herman lived outside of Akron in Copley, Ohio. He would make a trip every April to Augusta for the Masters champions’ dinner. According to Keiser the reason he made the trip was for the $1,500 check he received for attending the dinner.
“That was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. I won some other tournaments, but nothing like this one. This was by far the best of them all. There wasn’t much money in winning, though ($2,500).”
Herman was inducted into the Springfield Hall of Fame in April 2000.
Career Victories
1942 Miami Four Ball Invitation
1946 Masters
1946 Knoxville Invitational
1947 Esmeralda Open
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