Hall of Fame doors set to open for de la Torre

For years, fellow PGA professionals shunned Manuel de la Torre's method of teaching the golf swing because, they claimed, it was too simple.

"They wouldn't accept my ideas," de la Torre said, "or even discuss them."

The long-time teaching professional at Milwaukee Country Club never wavered in his belief that the golf swing was a simple, athletic move and that the focus should be on swinging the club rather than on the isolated movements and body positions taught by his peers.

It took time - more than a half-century and some 50,000 lessons - but de la Torre's method has gained widespread acceptance by PGA of America pros and he has been embraced as one of America's great golf teachers.

Fittingly, the 85-year-old icon will be inducted into the PGA Golf Professional Hall of Fame on Friday in a ceremony at PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, Fla.

"I was very surprised," de la Torre said. "Anything that the PGA does in relation to me is a surprise because through the years the professional ranks have not approved of my teachings. But it's a huge honor."

The 2006 Hall of Fame class also includes five-time PGA champion Jack Nicklaus; 1958 PGA champion Dow Finsterwald; Roger Warren, the 34th president of the PGA of America; and respected instructors Bill Eschenbrenner, William Heald and Gary Wiren.

"This is a class that features world-class instructors and outstanding contributors to golf, individuals who represent the best in the game and its possibilities for future generations," said Brian Whitcomb, vice president of the PGA of America.

De la Torre, a five-time Wisconsin State Open champion, previously was inducted into the Wisconsin State Golf Association Hall of Fame (1975), the Northwestern University Athletics Hall of Fame (1999) and the World Golf Teachers Hall of Fame (2005).

In 46 years as head golf professional at Milwaukee CC, he taught more than 50,000 lessons and presented more than 100 seminars for 15 PGA Sections. His students include LPGA Hall of Fame member Carol Mann, 1973 Masters champion Tommy Aaron and Madison's Sherri Steinhauer, winner of seven tournaments on the LPGA tour, including the 2006 Women's British Open.

De la Torre also was the recipient of the inaugural PGA Teacher of the Year award in 1986.

He said fellow professionals in recent years have been more receptive to his teachings, which are based on Ernest Jones' "swing the clubhead" philosophy. De la Torre's father, Angel, was Spain's first golf professional and Jones' close friend.

"Now the professionals are more eager for information and even though they may disagree with you they listen," he said.

De la Torre, annually ranked among America's top 100 teaching professionals, has no plans to slow down. A fixture on the practice tee at Milwaukee CC, he intends to keep his usual rigorous schedule again in 2007.

"I don't expect to retire," he said. "I couldn't stand to do nothing."

By GARY D'AMATO gdamato@journalsentinel.com

Posted: Dec. 5, 2006