José Jurado

Born in Villa Ballester, northern suburb of Buenos Aires, he was the first Argentine to travel to major international championships and is thus often credited as the “Father of Argentine Professional Golf” or the “Godfather of Argentinean Golf.”[1] He is perhaps best known for his losing stroke to Tommy Armour at the 1931 Open Championship at Carnoustie.

[2] Jurado was personal friends with the Prince of Wales, who was reportedly enraged by his double bogey that lost him the championship.

Jurado also recruited international golf figures to teach Argentine enthusiasts the emerging and popular American-style swing.

Jurado is referenced in The Book of Golfers: A Biographical History of the Royal & Ancient Game, by Daniel Wexler.

In the book, Jurado is described as having “demonstrated the tango” to a group of 1933 Ryder Cup golfers at a dancehall in Southport, UK.