Ted Hart was born on July 6, 1928 in Lyons, Neb. He and his family moved to Boulder, Colo., a short time later where he grew up across the street from Flatirons Golf Course. Ted showed a natural talent for the game as a teen and by the time he was 15 he was regularly breaking par.
Following Hart’s military service, he returned to Denver where he began a career as a professional golfer. He owned and operated the Golf Land Driving Range and also served as golf coach for Regis College. From 1963-1965 he was golf professional at Trinidad Golf Course then moved to Las Vegas where he was a teacher during the day and a dealer at night.
Hart returned to Colorado in 1968 and a year later won the Colorado Open. Hart is remembered as a master of the short game using a club which he called his “jimmie stick.” The club had an ancient steel shaft wrapped in old leather with a wedge-like head. Hart’s nonchalant manner and his ability to make people laugh made him one of the most popular golf pros of his day. In addition to the Colorado Open crown, Hart was a two-time Wyoming Open champion and a winner of numerous other regional golf tournaments. From 1978 until his death in 1987, Hart served as head professional at Wellshire Golf Course.
