Legendary golf pro 'Hubby' Habjan dies at 84
In and around golf circles, he was known by just one name -- Hubby -- and he was legendary.
Rudolph "Hubby" Habjan spent nearly his entire career as the head golf professional at the historic Onwentsia Club in Lake Forest. But his influence on the PGA of America was pronounced, and his handmade custom golf clubs were highly sought for 40 years.
He died on Monday in Florida. Habjan was 84.
"He was the consummate golf professional," says his nephew Don Habjan, head golf professional at Makray Memorial Golf Club in Barrington. "Servicing members at the club was his goal, whether it was teaching or making custom clubs for his students. He was multidimensional."
Don Habjan, who caddied at Onwentsia, saw firsthand how club members worked with his uncle to perfect their swing - before being fitted for the custom clubs he would make in a workshop on the Onwentsia grounds.
"He had a direct impact on my career," Don Habjan says, "teaching me to be service-oriented and making sure each golfer has a wonderful experience."
"Hubby" Habjan was born in North Chicago, the son of a steel mill worker and homemaker. As early as 12, he began caddying at the club where he eventually would build his career, Onwentsia.
He attended Waukegan High School, where he was a three-sport athlete, before enrolling at an engineering college in El Paso, Texas. He then apprenticed as a golf club maker before becoming a golf professional at 18.
Habjan spent just one year as an assistant golf professional at the Indian Hill Club in Winnetka before filling an opening at Onwentsia, where he was mentored by head professional George Smith.
In 1955, Habjan took over as Onwentsia's head professional, a job he held for 42 years until he retired in 1997.
But more than just teaching and playing golf, Habjan was interested in the state of the national game. He was secretary-treasurer and ultimately president of the Illinois PGA in 1973.
He also served on several PGA of America panels, including the rules committee for 10 years and the emblems and specifications committee for nearly 20 years.
Ultimately, Habjan was vice president of the PGA from 1974-1976.
In 1965, he was the PGA's Golf Professional of the Year. In 1989, the Illinois PGA named him Teacher of the Year.
Where Habjan separated himself yet again was as a custom club maker. He consulted for Tommy Armour Golf and for a division of the Brunswick Corp. He was elected to the Professional Club Makers Hall of Fame in 1998.
"He was one of the first ones to come up with custom clubs," Don Habjan says. "Now it's done all the time for professional golfers, but he was at the forefront of that. He was so far ahead of his time."
Nick Papadakes, the current head golf professional at Onwentsia Club, said those custom clubs drew golfers from around the country. Even Arnold Palmer and Lee Trevino had some Hubby Habjan clubs.
"He was an innovator, a pro's pro, dedicated to our members and to the profession," Papadakes said.
"Hubby" Habjan is survived by his wife, Marilynn, and children Tim (Mary), Bruce (Leslie) and Cindy Edwards (Ty Stuckslager), plus eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held today at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Wildwood, Florida.
A local memorial service will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. July 23 at the Onwentsia Club, 300 N. Green Bay Road in Lake Forest.